Aquatic Ecosystem Responses to Changes in the Environment of an Arctic Drainage Basin

Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract OPP-9911278 This proposed research seeks to predict the impact of perturbations such as climate change, atmospheric deposition of nutrients, and increasing use of natural resources, on the Arctic north-slope tundra. Through a variety of research grants, including Long Term Ecological Research projects, the Toolik Lake Research Site has a 25-year research record on lake, stream, and terrestrial ecology. This proposal would seek an additional 5 years of support to develop linked models of soil, stream, and lake processes affecting the flow of carbon and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Detailed experiments would be conducted to evaluate specific interactions. Additional work would develop (1) linked numerical component models for fluxes of water, nutrients and organic matter through small catchments and compare these models with new experimental results, (2) develop an ecological classification for the streams and lakes within the larger basin containing Toolik Lake, (3) produce information by remote sensing and GIS (geographic information system) on the surrounding environment and also on the location of stream and lake classes and likely structure of food webs, and (4) calibrate the component models. Educational and outreach experiences have been included.