Hypotheses and Proposed Work for FCE II (2006-2012)
All three focal hypotheses that are presented as the framework for FCE II are
also the basis for the Modeling and Synthesis. All three hypotheses are driven
by changes in inputs of fresh water, tidal energies, groundwater, and water
residence times. Therefore, the cross-cutting modeling and synthesis component
of this LTER is driven by the many FCE II hypotheses that link changes in
salinity, nutrients, biomass, productivity, vegetation function, and trophic
structure to the hydrology.
Primary modeling questions include:
1. Hydrology – What are the biogeophysical controls on the hydroperiods,
depths, residence times, and mixing dynamics associated with the FCE study
sites?
2. Primary Production – What are the hydrologic controls and biogeochemical controls associated with
plant productivity (above and below ground), biomass allocation, and
community structure?
3. Consumer Dynamics – How is the hydrology (water source, supply, variance,
and tidal energy) linked to the transport of nutrients and organic matter,
fish community structure, and food-web dynamics?
4. Biogeochemical Cycling – What are the hydrologic mechanisms that
influence the N and P cycling, biochemical linkages, and microbial dynamics
at the various FCE study sites?
5. Organic Matter Dynamics – What are the hydrological, ecological and
climatological processes that control the quality and quantity of DOM and
POM?
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