Award Abstract # 9240261
Interactions in Time and Space Variability in a Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem: Jornada LTER

NSF Org: DEB
Division Of Environmental Biology
Recipient: DUKE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: February 26, 1992
Latest Amendment Date: June 17, 1994
Award Number: 9240261
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager:
DEB
 Division Of Environmental Biology
BIO
 Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date: October 15, 1991
End Date: March 31, 1995 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $1,314,390.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $1,314,390.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 1992 = $418,706.00
FY 1993 = $423,691.00

FY 1994 = $471,993.00
History of Investigator:
  • William Schlesinger (Principal Investigator)
    schlesingerw@caryinstitute.org
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Duke University
2200 W MAIN ST
DURHAM
NC  US  27705-4640
(919)684-3030
Sponsor Congressional District: 04
Primary Place of Performance: DATA NOT AVAILABLE
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): TP7EK8DZV6N5
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): INSTRUMENTAT & INSTRUMENT DEVP,
LONG-TERM PROJCTS IN ENVIR BIO,
LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH,
LONG-TERM RSCH IN ENVIR BIO
Primary Program Source:  
app-0193 

app-0194 
Program Reference Code(s): 1124, 1129, 1228, 9169, 9178, 9251, ENVI, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 110800, 112900, 119500, 119600
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.074

ABSTRACT

This research project will examine the general hypothesis that desertification has altered a previous, relatively uniform distribution of water and nitrogen by increasing their spatial and temporal heterogeneity, leading to changes in community composition and biogeochemical processes in Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems. The Jornada Experimental Ranch (southern New Mexico), with a 75-year history of rangeland research, has documented extensive changes in vegetation cover - from perennial grassland to several kinds of shrublands - which are one result of desertification. The work will include measurements of net primary production, root growth, decomposition, soil water dynamics, surface hydrology, dynamics of animal populations, animal-produced soil disturbance, nitrogen cycling processes and stable isotope distributions of nitrogen and carbon in widespread ecosystems, ranging from black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) grassland, to desertified, persistent shrublands of chreosotebush (Larrea tridentata), tarbush (Flourencia cernua) and mesquite (Prosopis gladulosa). A conceptual model of desertification will be tested by long-term water augmentation and mechanical homogenization of water and nutrients. Data from these studies will be used to parameterize process models. Measurements of water, wind, and gaseous transport and run-on diversion experiments will provide data for a desert landscape model. Data derived from satellite remote sensing of vegetation and soils will be incorporated into a dynamics geographic information system model of the Jornada Basin. Institutional support remains excellent for the continuation of this project. Facilities are very good. The three-institution collaborative arrangement involving several investigators has been well thought out and should prove to be highly beneficial and productive. Results from this research project should yield major finding that are fundamental to the broad field of ecology. Additionally, results should be important to the future, better enlightened management of arid land resources.

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