Grantee Research Project Results

Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Food Web Dynamics in Restored Freshwater Habitats

EPA Grant Number: U915143
Title: Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Food Web Dynamics in Restored Freshwater Habitats
Investigators: Bolser, Robin C.
Institution: University of California - Santa Barbara
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: January 1, 1997 through January 1, 2001
Project Amount: $102,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Ecology , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Academic Fellowships

Objective:

The objectives of this research project are to: (1) investigate the factors influencing the nutritional quality of aquatic plants in temporary ("vernal") pools in southern California; and (2) investigate the effects of variation in plant quality on food web dynamics in this system.

Approach:

Plants growing in environments that differ in nutrient inputs can vary greatly in food quality for herbivores. For example, nitrogen content of plant tissue can increase with fertilization or plant chemical defenses can be altered. Comparative studies of vernal pool communities varying in restoration status (natural, enhanced, or created) will be conducted. Later, experimental manipulations of nutrients in mesocosms (children's pools) will hopefully allow separate testing of the effects of plant amount (productivity) versus plant quality on growth and survival of consumer organisms with and without their predators.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, nutrient enrichment, food web dynamics, restored freshwater habitats, nutrient inputs, nitrogen, southern California, CA, vernal pool communities, predators, consumer organisms., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, Aquatic Ecosystem, Restoration, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, State, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Nutrients, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, nutrient enrichment, California (CA), ecological variation, nutrient dynamics, nutrient flux, aquatic plants, marine food web, restoration strategies, aquatic food web, food web dynamics, nitrogen compounds, vernal pool communities, food web changes, freshwater habitat, nitrogen, nutrient concentrations, nutrient regeneration, aquatic ecosystems, ecosystem restoration, estuarine food web, nutrient management

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.