9801487 Chapin/Eviner DDIG: The role of plant species and plant species interactions in mediating nitrogen and carbon dynamics The objective of this study is to determine how plant species that are growing together influence ecosystem dynamics. Vegetation composition is being drastically altered due to changes in land use, pollutants, climate, and invasion of exotic species. Plants not only respond to these changes, but they also play an active role in mediating their surrounding environment, and can affect nutrient and water availability, sustainability, production, etc.. However, we have no way of predicting which vegetation shifts will impact an ecosystem. Many recent studies have indicated that individual plant species can have different effects on ecosystem dynamics. However, most plant species exist in a mixed species community, and the effect of the overall community can't be predicted from the effects of the component species alone. Understanding the ways that plant species interact will help us understand the importance of a species addition or deletion on the ecosystem.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9801487
Program Officer
Penelope L. Firth
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1998-06-15
Budget End
2000-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
$10,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94704