This research will combine an ecosystem process model (GEM) and ecosystem data sets from a variety of ecosystem types world- wide to address effects of carbon/nutrient interactions on ecosystem recovery from major disturbances. Objectives are 1) to identify characteristics of element cycles that affect ecosystem respond to and recovery from disturbances, 2) synthesis of disturbance and recovery data, 3) analysis of changes in carbon storage, nutrient cycling, water balance and other ecosystem processes during recovery from disturbance, and 4) assessment of additional effects of global change on recovering ecosystems. %%% The effect of interactions among element cycling on ecosystem recovery from disturbance remains a central question for ecosystem ecologists. The effects of climate change on elemental control of ecosystem recovery are more poorly understood. Improved knowledge of how elemental fluxes control ecosystem recovery and how these fluxes will respond to global change will be a major contribution to ecology and environmental policy. This project will address these critical questions through a modeling approach that will assess sensitivity of model parameters to changing conditions during ecosystem recovery.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Application #
9307888
Program Officer
Scott L. Collins
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1993-08-01
Budget End
1997-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
$850,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Marine Biological Laboratory
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Woods Hole
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02543