Award Abstract # 9211769
Successional Processes in Taiga Forests of Interior Alaska: A Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program for Study of Controls of Subarctic Forest Development

NSF Org: DEB
Division Of Environmental Biology
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
Initial Amendment Date: August 21, 1992
Latest Amendment Date: August 4, 1998
Award Number: 9211769
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Scott L. Collins
DEB
 Division Of Environmental Biology
BIO
 Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date: September 1, 1992
End Date: October 31, 1999 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $4,182,506.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $4,182,506.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 1992 = $657,500.00
FY 1993 = $809,949.00

FY 1994 = $74,941.00

FY 1995 = $640,000.00

FY 1996 = $1,245,000.00

FY 1997 = $12,500.00

FY 1998 = $742,616.00
History of Investigator:
  • F. Stuart Chapin (Principal Investigator)
    terry.chapin@alaska.edu
  • Roger Ruess (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • John Yarie (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Leslie Viereck (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Tricia Wurtz (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Keith Van Cleve (Former Principal Investigator)
  • Mark Oswood (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus
2145 N TANANA LOOP
FAIRBANKS
AK  US  99775-0001
(907)474-7301
Sponsor Congressional District: 00
Primary Place of Performance: University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus
2145 N TANANA LOOP
FAIRBANKS
AK  US  99775-0001
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
00
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): FDLEQSJ8FF63
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH,
LONG-TERM RSCH IN ENVIR BIO,
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH COLLECTION,
Biodiversity: Discov &Analysis,
GENERAL ARCTIC RESEARCH SUPPRT
Primary Program Source:  
app-0193 

app-0194 

app-0195 

app-0196 

app-0197 

app-0198 
Program Reference Code(s): 9186, 9178, 1228, 1306, 1577, 9177, 9169, SMET, 9251, EGCH, ENVI
Program Element Code(s): 119500, 119600, 119700, 119800, 520400
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.074

ABSTRACT

This program focuses on population and ecosystem level questions within the framework of succession. It capitalizes on a substantial existing base of information and preliminary results from past research to address hypothesized controls of structure and function of successional forest communities. These processes previously have not been examined in a comprehensive manner in the North American taiga. Results of this research will greatly improve understanding of the links between resource (moisture, light, nutrients) supply and plant growth as influenced by herbivores and soil microbial activity. Researchers in interior Alaska have demonstrated their commitment to long-term studies of ecological processes. Several studies have been pursued, essentially by the same scientists for 20 to 25 years. For example a series of plots in various successional stages on the floodplain of the Chena and Tanana rivers established in 1964, are still being monitored for growth and changes in species composition. The USDA Forest Service also is committed to long-term experimentation and encourages these activities through their management of Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest, the principal site of this research. The hypotheses put forth in this proposal address important long- term aspects of forest ecosystem structure and function only initially evaluated in earlier research efforts. During this new phase initial experiments will be continued and new hypotheses will be addressed based on some initial results. Considering questions dealing with taiga forest ecology from a successional standpoint establishes a strong organizational structure for the research and promotes linkage among research projects and feedback of ideas and information among personnel. The structure and objectives of this project take advantage of existing knowledge, current research activities, and an experienced group of investigators, melding them in a combination which will promote the type of interaction necessary for advancing scientific understanding of the ecology of taiga forest ecosystems, and insuring success of a long-term ecological research program.

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