Viral-mediated cell lysis and microzooplankton grazing are both important sources of phytoplankton and bacteria mortality in the ocean, however, the magnitudes of these mortality sources are difficult to quantify. Using the modified (viral) dilution method, the effects of viral- and microzooplankton-mediated phytoplankton mortality can be examined simultaneously.

The vision for a future “cyber forest” at the Andrews Experimental Forest foresees high performance wireless communications enhancing connectivity among remote field research locations, station headquarters, and beyond to the university and Internet. Increasing use of sensor technologies and collaboration tools for both research and education foretell exponential increases in data and information flow.

Wet deposition of ammonium in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains has reached a “critical load” where negative impacts on alpine ecosystems are evident. Results from the recently completed Rocky Mountain Atmospheric Nitrogen and Sulfur Study (RoMANS) suggest that many different sources are contributing to atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the park. Sources include long distance transport from western states, regional contributions from agricultural and urban sites in Colorado, and local emissions from soils within the park.

A monthly and annual water budget has been created for the entire Shark River Slough (SRS) within the Everglades National Park (ENP) over 2002-2008. Inputs considered are surface water inflows (S12s and S333 canal structures) and rainfall, while outputs consist of discharge to the Gulf of Mexico (Lostman, Shark, Broad, Harney and North rivers) and evapotranspiration (ET).

Herbivory plays a crucial role in structuring coral reef communities. A decrease in abundance of herbivores increases the probability of state shift from coral to algae domination. Although both fish and sea urchins are important herbivores, many tropical reef systems have suffered from over-harvesting of fishes and therefore, a more thorough understanding the effect of urchins on community structure is essential. This study examines how population dynamics of the urchin Diadema savignyi, affect the reef community of Moorea, French Polynesia. D.

 The movement and exchange of data are frequently described using a 'flow' or a 'pipeline' model.  We differentiate a uni-directional data 'flow' from an alternative model, a web-of-repositories. A web-of-repositories is a federation of diverse nodes where communication, connections, and data exchange are multi-directional. Each node has a unique sphere-of-context with technical, organizational and social dimensions. In this poster we explore a multi-repository data landscape.

Macroalgae and phytoplankton support highly productive coastal marine ecosystems. Research based on stable isotope analyses has supported the idea that macroalgal detritus, especially that of giant kelp Macrocystis, is a major source of dietary carbon to benthic suspension feeders.

A field experiment has been initiated in August 2008 to determine if the vegetation of a coastal marsh is in synchrony with hydrologic conditions that have developed with rising sea-level. The hypothesis being tested is that plant community structure will persist in existing zones of vegetation in the face of sea-level rise unless disturbance provides opportunities for species change under more frequent tidal inundation.

Seagrass meadows are declining worldwide as a result of nutrient over-enrichment, warming water temperatures, and anthropogenic disturbances. In many areas, restoration projects are attempting to the reverse the trend with varying success. In the Virginia coastal lagoons, seagrasses (Zostera marina) were lost in the 1930’s due to a large hurricane impacting meadows already weakened by the wasting disease. A large-scale restoration effort has been underway since the early 2000’s and has resulted in >1000 acres of seagrass coverage.

The objective of this work was to compare estimates of microbial and biogeochemical processes obtained from year round versus field season only data. We also aimed to capture the response of soils to simultaneous warming and nitrogen fertilization in both winter and summer months. Our research took place at the chronic Soil Warming and Nitrogen Fertilization experiment at the Harvard Forest Long Term Ecological Research site. The experiment includes four treatments in a completely randomized design: control, +heat, +N, and +heat +N.