Award Abstract # 0217631
Long Term Ecological Research-Shortgrass Steppe

NSF Org: DEB
Division Of Environmental Biology
Recipient: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: November 5, 2002
Latest Amendment Date: August 2, 2008
Award Number: 0217631
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Henry L. Gholz
DEB
 Division Of Environmental Biology
BIO
 Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date: November 1, 2002
End Date: October 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $4,680,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $5,377,793.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2003 = $862,000.00
FY 2004 = $917,375.00

FY 2005 = $866,250.00

FY 2006 = $921,990.00

FY 2007 = $903,491.00

FY 2008 = $906,687.00
History of Investigator:
  • Eugene Kelly (Principal Investigator)
    pedoiso@lamar.colostate.edu
  • John Moore (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Michael Antolin (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Ingrid Burke (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Jack Morgan (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Susan Stafford (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Colorado State University
601 S HOWES ST
FORT COLLINS
CO  US  80521-2807
(970)491-6355
Sponsor Congressional District: 02
Primary Place of Performance: Colorado State University
601 S HOWES ST
FORT COLLINS
CO  US  80521-2807
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): LT9CXX8L19G1
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Population & Community Ecology,
ECOSYSTEM STUDIES,
LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH,
ENVIR SOCIAL & BEHAVIOR SCIENC,
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL CONTINUUM,
International Research Collab,
ERE General,
Ecosystem Science,
BROADENING PARTICIPATION
Primary Program Source: app-0103 
app-0104 

app-0105 

app-0106 

app-0107 

01000809DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

04000405DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s): 1066, 1195, 5416, 5976, 7218, 7298, 9169, 9177, 9178, 9251, 9261, 9278, EGCH, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 112800, 118100, 119500, 520900, 727100, 729800, 730400, 738100, 748700
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.074

ABSTRACT

Abstract (SGS LTER Renewal Proposal)

The shortgrass steppe (SGS) LTER has been in operation since 1982. Three questions guide its work: (1) What factors regulate ecological structure and function over space and time? (2) How do factors that regulate structure and function and coupling of biotic and abiotic components vary spatially and temporally? (3) What are the thresholds that determine the vulnerability to changes in the factors influencing structure and function?

The conceptual framework asserts that ecological structure and function are governed by climate, natural disturbance, physiography, human use, and biotic interactions. SGS work is divided into three topic areas, population dynamics (plants and heterotrophs), biogeochemistry, and land-atmosphere interactions. Disturbances are of such importance that they are embedded in each topic area. In addition to continuing long-term experiments, SGS will initiate new studies that primarily focus on Question 3.

In the area of population dynamics, one grass species, Bouteloua gracilis, contributes most to biomass and net primary production (NPP) and has been the focus of most past work. New long-term studies of Opuntia polyacantha (prickly-pear cactus), a species that makes up a small proportion of NPP, will be initiated; its spiny growth form affords protection to other species and therefore may have a large effect under cattle grazing. Even though the SGS has proven quite resistant to invasive plants, the introduction of species that can successfully invade the SGS is inevitable. So the potential for invasion by plants with different life history attributes will be studied and surveys conducted to detect new invasions.

In the area of faunal dynamics, small mammals simultaneously reflect and affect both the structure and function of the SGS ecosystem. Long-term studies will be continued that track small mammal populations, their resources and predators. New research will emphasize the dynamics of the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and its effects on biological diversity and ecosystem function. The once abundant prairie dog is now a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Under biogeochemistry, SGS conceives of biogeochemical processes as an integrated function of biotic components and those processes responsible for carbon and nutrient fluxes: primary production, decomposition, weathering, mineralization, and trace gas flux. Variations in biogeochemistry will continue to be studied as a function of climatic controls, and new studies that evaluate geologic (textural) and topographic controls, and the N budget will be initiated.

Regarding land-atmosphere interactions, the processes of primary concern are water, energy, and gaseous fluxes. One of the most important alterations that has occurred and continues to occur on the SGS LTER is land-use change, which will be evaluated in terms of the interactions among human land use, biotic responses, and atmospheric processes at local to regional scales.

The SGS has a major investment in simulation analysis, and each of topic areas has a simulation component. Models will continue to be used for synthesizing long-term data both within and across research areas. A new synthesis volume will be published during the next funding cycle.

Finally, data management supports SGS research and contributes to ecoinformatics. The building of new interactions with federal land management agencies, NGO's, and the interested public will be continued. Through the use of supplemental funding, SGS will focus its sLTER on K-12 and community outreach through student mentoring, curriculum development, teacher professional development, community partnerships, and education research.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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(Showing: 1 - 10 of 301)
Adair. E. A., W. J. Parton, S. J. Del Grosso, W. L. Silver, M. E. Harmon, S. A. Hall, I. C. Burke, and S. C. Hart "Simple three pool model accurately describes patterns of long-term, global litter decomposition in the Long-term Intersite Decomposition Team (LIDET) data set" Global Change Biology , v.14 , 2008 , p.2636
Adair, E.C., I.C. Burke, and W.K. Lauenroth "Contrasting effects of resource availability and plant mortality on plant community invasion by Bromus tectorum L." Plant and Soil , v.304 , 2008 , p.103
adegoke, J.O. R.A. Pielke Sr., J. Eastman, R. Mahmood and K.G. Hubbard "Impact of irrigation on midsummer surface fluxes and temperature under dry synpotic conditions: A regional atmospheric model study of the U.W. High Plains." Monthly Weather Rev , v.131 , 2003 , p.556
Adler, P.B. and J.B. Bradford "Compensation: An alternative method for anlyzing diversity-productivity experiments" Oikos , v.96 , 2002 , p.411
Adler, P.B., and W.K. Lauenroth "The power of time: Spatiotemporal scaling of species diversity." Ecology Letters , v.6 , 2003 , p.1
Adler, P.B., D.G. Milchunas, O.E. Sala, I.C. Burke, and W.K. Lauenroth "Plant traits and ecosystem grazing effects: comparison of U.S. sagebrush steppe and Patagonian steppe" Ecolological Applications , v.15 , 2005 , p.774
Adler, P.B., D.G. Milchunas, W.K. Lauenroth, O.E. Sala, and I.C. Burke "Functional traits and grazing resistance in graminoids of semiarid steppes: A test of grazing histories" J. Applied Ecology , v.41 , 2004 , p.653
Adler, P.B., E.P. White, W.K. Lauenroth, D.M. Kaufman, A. Rassweiler, and J.A. Rusak "Evidence for a general species-time-area relationship" Ecology , v.86 , 2005 , p.2032
Adler, P. B., M. F. Garbulski, J. M. Paruelo, and W. K. Lauenroth "Do abiotic differences explain contrasting graminoid functional traits in sagebrush steppe, USA and Patagonian steppe, Argentina" Journal of Arid Environments , v.65 , 2006 , p.62
Adler, P.B., W.R. Tyburczy, W.K. Lauenroth "Long-term mapped quadrats from Kansas prairie: A unique source of demographic information for herbaceous plants." Ecology , v.88 , 2007 , p.2673
Adler, P.R., S.J. Del Grosso, W.J. Parton "Life-cycle assessment of net greenhouse-gas flux for bioenergy cropping systems." Ecological Applications , v.17 , 2007 , p.675
(Showing: 1 - 10 of 301)

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