MBL Biological Discovery in Woods Hole

The Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Cover photo: Haystacks on the salt marsh in Newbury, . Salt marsh haying has been carried out since colonial times in the Plum Island Ecosystem. The marsh grasses are cut, then piled on wooden “staddles” to dry out before being sold. The hay is still valued as mulch for gardens. (Robert Buchsbaum)

The Ecosystems Center MBL 7 MBL Street Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543 http://www.ecosystems.mbl.edu

Editors: Hugh W. Ducklow and Deborah G. Scanlon Designer: Beth Ready Liles The Ecosystems Center was founded in 1975 as a year-round research center of the MBL. Its mission is to investigate the structure and functioning of ecological systems, predict their response to changing environmental conditions, apply the resulting knowledge to the preservation and management of natural resources, and educate both future scientists and concerned citizens.

Ecosystems Center scientists work together on projects, and collaborate with investigators from other centers at the MBL and from other institutions, combining expertise from a wide range of disciplines. Together, they conduct research to answer a variety of scientific questions:

At the Toolik Lake Arctic Long-Term Ecological In Boston Harbor, researchers measure the Research (LTER) site on Alaska’s North Slope transfer of nitrogen from the sediments to the and at research sites in Greenland and northern water column. How long will it take the harbor Scandinavia, Ecosystems Center scientists to recover from decades of sewage pollution? study the effect of warmer temperatures on Arctic ecosystems. Will increased permafrost In the Arctic rivers of Eurasia, center scientists thaw make more nutrients available to plants? have conducted research that shows increased If these nutrients flow into streams and lakes, freshwater discharge. If ocean circulation is how will they affect the aquatic food web? affected, how might the climate in western Europe and eastern North America change? At the Plum Island Ecosystems LTER site in northern Massachusetts, researchers ask how On Martha’s Vineyard, researchers restore urban development affects the flow of nutrients coastal sandplain ecosystems with either and organic matter into estuaries. controlled burning or mechanical clearing. How will they alter the food web and plant How much will beneficial processes such as growth in salt marshes? What happens to the groundwater recharge and nitrogen retention production of commercially valuable fish as a increase in restored ecosystems? Will it restore result? diversity in plant and animal species?

Above: Adrian Rocha and Gus Shaver set up flux At the Palmer Station LTER in Antarctica, At the Harvard Forest LTER in central towers to measure carbon Ecosystems Center scientists study the coastal Massachusetts and at the Abisko Scientific dioxide, water and energy ecosystem along the west Antarctic Peninsula, Research Station in Sweden, scientists use soil- exchange on tundra burned where sea ice duration has declined by 80 warming experiments to assess how forests in extensive fires in Alaska. (Jim Laundre) days in response to climate warming since would respond to climate warming. How 1975, leading to large-scale declines in animal much carbon might be released as temperatures Right, top: Ecosystems populations and other changes in the marine increase? How will warming change the types Center staff members ecosystem. Do these changes suggest the fate of of trees in forests of the future? Will changes in construct a hoophouse to be used to over-winter other polar regions on the Antarctic continent? nitrogen cycling affect carbon storage in plants? trees and sagebrush that Ecosystems Center senior In Brazil, scientists investigate how the clearing Scientists in the center use sophisticated scientist Zoe Cardon uses of tropical forests in the western Amazon computer models to ask questions about effects in her research exploring interactions between plant changes greenhouse gases such as carbon of future changes in climate, carbon dioxide roots and microbes in soils. dioxide and nitrous oxide released into the and ozone on vegetation productivity and (Zoe Cardon) atmosphere. What will the effect be on global carbon storage world-wide. Center researchers climate? How will change in temperature and collaborate with social and atmospheric Background: The Kuparuk River in atmospheric gas concentrations affect the scientists at MIT to investigate ecological Alaska in January. productivity of forests? What effect does the responses to various scenarios of economic and (Jonathan Benstead) clearing of forest for pasture have on tropical energy development. stream ecosystems?

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 1 Brown-MBL graduate student Shelby Hayhoe filters water Marginal Lands – An Emerging Issue in Global Ecology for her research comparing pasture and forest watersheds in Tanguro Ranch, Mato Grasso, Brazil. (Chris Neill)

Large portions of the Earth’s tropical regions are currently not used intensively by people. These lands are considered “marginal lands” for a variety of climatic, ecological, agronomic, infrastructural or sociopolitical reasons. They typically contain savanna, woodlands or seasonally dry forest where low water availability and low soil fertility have prevented development of intensive agriculture. In some cases, they are inaccessible by modern transportation or are sites of land conflicts or other sociopolitical barriers.

Despite the low intensity of use, these lands serve important functions as producers of food and fuel, reservoirs of biodiversity, places to live and providers of ecosystem services for millions of people.

2 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Although considered for hundreds of years new demands on already stressed water as “marginal land,” increases in human supplies in many regions. In addition, the population and technological advances replacement of natural ecosystems with place these lands at the new frontier of croplands or biofuels plantations could also intensification, poised to experience the have devastating effects on biodiversity and most rapid land use change on Earth. the capacity of natural terrestrial ecosystems These areas represent the promise of food to deliver many of the support services that security, energy security and economic humans rely on. development. They include most of the The Ecosystems Center is in a unique Earth’s potential new land for expansion position to provide science and education of production of grains or biofuels for both that can guide future management of local and global markets. Tropical marginal marginal lands. Center scientists, in lands are the next frontline in the conflict collaboration with colleagues at Brown between supplying increasing goods and and Columbia Universities and in Latin services to a growing human population America and Africa, are developing a new and maintaining natural ecosystems and interdisciplinary research and education the services they provide to societies. program on marginal lands that draws collaborators in the areas of remote Intensification of the use of marginal sensing, atmospheric science, watershed lands will have a number of negative biogeochemistry, social science and consequences. In many cases, the economics and modeling, atmospheric intensive use of marginal lands will require exchanges, on the ground work in Photos below, left to right: increased inputs of nutrients and water watershed biogeochemistry and modeling. A newly tilled area being converted to make them reliably productive. The This project will transform the intellectual from pasture to soybean field in nutrient inputs could lead to water and air scope of the research conducted at the Brazil. (Chris Neill) pollution, including the eutrophication Ecosystems Center by integrating social of surface waters as excess nitrogen and natural science approaches to land A field of soybeans, Brazil’s top export. (Chris Neill) fertilizer runs off from agricultural fields cover change research, increasing student and the acceleration of climate change as participationHumans and rely by providingon new insights Headwater watershed impounded nitrogen in the fertilizer is transformed and questions that arise from international by a small dam, typical of pasture into nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse experience, perspective and international landscapes in the Amazon. water for basic (Chris Neill) gas. Irrigation of marginal lands will put exchanges. survival and economic development and today control more than half of all accessible water.

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 3 Grounding Perceptions of Soil

Sagebrush-dominated landscape on Bureau of Nutrient cycling isn’t the only major Land Management grazing Soil. For millennia, humans have built with land near the Utah-Idaho it, planted seeds in it, and depended on its ecosystem function that is strongly border. (Zoe Cardon) resources for the most basic needs of life influenced by plant-soil interactions. The including shelter, water and food. Soil has rhizosphere interface between plant roots also been maligned at times, described as and soils is also a portal through which “dirt” when tracked in from the garden, or, enormous amounts of water flow. more recently, targeted by “germ”-killing soaps for those fearful of the millions of Of the more than 60 trillion tons of water microbes teeming in its depths. But the that move from soils to the atmosphere each microbes in soils are essential for ecosystem health; they are the natural recyclers of year, nearly two-thirds passes from soil into nutrients and natural decomposers that roots, then through the bodies of plants, to have kept ecosystems productive for be released by evaporation through miniscule millions of years. And, in our world today, valves from leaves into the air. soil microbes are particularly active around plant roots. Environmental engineers even exploit such Senior scientist Zoe Cardon of the plant control over soil water flow to redirect Ecosystems Center studies the interface water streams underground or control the between living plant roots and soils, spread of pollutants. For all these reasons, called “the rhizosphere.” The rhizosphere the health of soils and the organisms living Image through the is a central commodities exchange in in them is of great concern worldwide, microscope of soil microbes ecosystems, where organic compounds whether in areas where soil fertility is in producing green fluorescent such as sugars and dead cells lost from roots decline, or areas where water is becoming protein near roots of plants scarce. growing in the lab. fuel microbial decomposers that, in turn, (Patrick Herron) can make nutrients available to plants for new growth. This provision of nutrients is a natural form of fertilization; in fact there are those who advocate “harnessing the rhizosphere” to maintain more naturally agricultural plant productivity while minimizing use of chemical fertilizers.

4 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Scarcity in Arid Lands—How Much Soil Water Can Plants Move?

Interactions among carbon, nutrient, and water cycles have been a continuing focus throughout the Ecosystems Center’s history, and new senior scientist Zoe Cardon continues this tradition with her research in semi-arid landscapes of the Western U.S. The productivity of these systems is strongly limited by the availability of water and nitrogen, and Cardon is especially interested in how dynamics of water availability affect the productivity of plants and activities of soil microbes. For the past four years, she has worked in the field with colleague John Stark of Utah State University on grazing lands in Northeastern Utah, just east of Bear Lake. At an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, precipitation as snow during Jed Rasmussen, REU winter months is followed by periods of intern from Utah State drought in late June and July, drought the soil column, thus moving it away from University, examines that is alleviated only once the monsoon soil layers where it can readily evaporate microbial activity by in- season begins with significant August rains. to the atmosphere. This redistribution jecting tracer compounds into soil. (Zoe Cardon) Sagebrush shrubs are common in such of water may be a major controller of Great Basin ecosystems, becoming more hydrology at the landscape scale in Western dominant with the increased grazing that ecosystems where sagebrush is dominant. has accompanied human settlement in the Mathematical modeling in a slightly drier last 150 years. Rush Valley, Utah, landscape has previously suggested that as much as three-quarters of It was first demonstrated in 1987 the rainwater may be redistributed rapidly that sagebrush can facilitate the to deep soil via sagebrush roots. redistribution water from wetter to drier soil underground. Unseen by our human Cardon’s current modeling suggests that eyes, water travels through the sagebrush in the Bear Lake area, the proportion of roots, via miniscule, open pipes in the rainwater redistributed by sagebrush may roots’ centers. This water movement not be that large, but it certainly is a major tends to equalize the water content of soil mechanism by which autumn rain makes around the entire sagebrush root system. its way downward to recharge water reserves Sagebrush can be deeply rooted, reaching in the soil column. Water isn’t the only down into the soil column a meter or limitation on plant productivity in such more, so deep water can move at night ecosystems, however. Nitrogen availability up through roots and out into drier upper can also be sub-optimal, and Cardon and soil layers. Such dynamic redistribution Stark are investigating how rates of nutrient of water at night is thought to enable cycling (and associated nutrient delivery enhanced plant activity during the to plants) catalyzed by soil microbes living next day. among sagebrush roots is affected by root- mediated redistribution of water. In dry Water isn’t only moved upward, however. landscapes where ecosystem productivity During late-summer rainstorms, rain that and water conservation are contentious has soaked upper soil layers can move issues, it is particularly important to rapidly down through the sagebrush root understand such major controls over fates systems to be released in drier soil deep in of groundwater and precipitation.

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 5 Taking a New Look at Old Growth

Ecologists have assumed for decades that old-growth forests, also known as virgin or primeval forests, are carbon neutral. They were believed to take up as much carbon by photosynthesis and plant growth as they give back through plant, animal, and soil respiration. That is, until recent studies—including A 500-year old growth Douglas fir those by Ecosystems Center research scientist Jim Tang and his colleagues forest in Oregon. (Mike Furniss, US —found that old-growth forests serve as important sinks for carbon dioxide Forest Service) emitted by fossil-fuel burning.

Old-growth forests are valuable as examples of ancient ecosystems and repositories of biodiversity.

Now Tang’s research adds another dimension to their value: They should be included in carbon credit schemes designed to lower carbon dioxide emissions, such as cap-and-trade policies now under consideration by the United States and other nations. Old-growth forests were not included in national carbon budgets when negotiators set up the Kyoto Protocol, because they were believed to play no net role in carbon storage. No international treaties protect these ancient ecosystems. Tang’s research suggests we take a second look.

6 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Old-Growth Forests Continue Fixing Carbon

Increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is a primary cause of global climate change. Between 2000 and 2005, human beings emitted about 7 to 8 billion metric tons of carbon each year by burning fossil fuels, leading to an imbalance in the global carbon cycle. The land and ocean absorb about 4 to 5 billion tons of this anthropogenic (human-caused) carbon, but the atmosphere is gaining 3 billion tons per year, causing greenhouse warming.

When scientists look more closely at terrestrial ecosystems, it appears that their carbon budget is nearly balanced. Plant Jim Tang measures soil respiration in a recently thinned forest. respiration, soil respiration, and natural (Photo courtesy of Jim Tang) fire release about 117 billion tons of carbon each year, while plant photosynthesis absorbs about 120 billion tons. Tang’s group also revealed the underlying These natural carbon fluxes are mechanism of carbon balance by studying huge compared to the fossil-fuels a series of forests of increasing ages, emissions. The net result is that from recently clearcut forests to young terrestrial ecosystems absorb plantation, mature, and old-growth forests. about 3 billion tons of carbon The classical paradigm to explain the each year, acting as a sink for decrease in carbon uptake in aging forests fossil fuel-derived carbon. Trees is that photosynthetic uptake stabilizes and grass fix carbon into biomass while respiratory carbon loss increases. and soils. Tang and colleagues found that both photosynthesis and respiration decrease Old-growth forests are non- in aging forests, after peaking in middle disturbed forests that have been age. Photosynthesis outpaces respiration in growing for hundreds of years. old-growth forests, resulting in a small net Carbon fluxes are measured from In the United States, the majority of forests carbon sink, primarily stored in deep soils. this 450-meter tower in Wisconsin. were harvested in the 19th and early 20th This result could be explained by increased (Jim Tang) centuries, so old-growth forests are rare. atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration Most forests in the United States are post- and nitrogen deposition, both of which harvest, second-growth forests or human- favor increased photosynthesis. planted forests still early in their life cycles. These results have significant implications It was traditionally thought that old- for forest management and carbon policy. growth forests are in a steady state, neither Cutting mature and old-growth forests growing nor shrinking and respiring about will reduce carbon storage in terrestrial as much carbon as they take up during ecosystems. The loss of carbon stored in photosynthesis. However, Ecosystems soils and biomass after harvest cannot be Center scientist Jim Tang and his colleagues offset by faster growth of young trees for at the University of Minnesota and several decades. To gain carbon credits, Pennsylvania State University found that an trees should be planted in non-forested old-growth forest in the upper peninsula of areas, rather than cutting old trees and Michigan was a carbon sink, still growing planting new ones. and taking up excess carbon over its respiratory losses.

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 7 Soybean Agriculture Transforms Amazon Ecosystems

The southern Brazilian Amazon is the largest agricultural frontier on A soybean field in the southern Earth. Last year, soybeans from the Amazon pushed Brazil past the Brazilian Amazon in the headwater region of the Xingu River. (Chris Neill) United States as the world’s top soybean supplier. Soybeans, sold mostly to Europe and China, are Brazil’s leading export.

An international team of scientists, led by Ecosystems Center scientist Christopher Neill, examines how this radical land transformation influences the amount and quality of water that makes its way out of small watersheds and into the vast Amazon drainage network.

Abundant rain is the lifeblood that makes soybean agriculture possible. Rainwater, cleansed by soils and vegetation in small watersheds, has fed the main Amazon tributaries for millennia.

But deforestation reduces the amount of water that moves through trees and back to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration. This means more water can run off into streams, perhaps causing more erosion and carrying more sediment and soil nutrients with it. Scientists use seine net to catch fish in an All of these processes are best studied at the scale of individual Amazon pasture stream. (Chris Neill) watersheds. Watershed studies have a long and important history in environmental studies. In the Amazon, they provide a critical, integrated picture of the consequences of human actions in one of the most rapidly changing places on Earth. We use them to identify important “tipping points,” where change passes critical thresholds that lead to even greater change.

8 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Watershed Studies First to Compare Forest and Soybeans

After a 20-minute walk through the humid This work, funded by a grant from the air and dappled sunlight of an Amazon National Science Foundation to the MBL’s tropical forest, Brown-MBL student Shelby Ecosystems Center, brings together a team led Hayhoe wades waist deep into a clear stream by center scientist Christopher Neill that also and ties a measuring tape to the opposite includes Alex Krusche, a chemist from the bank. Ecosystems Center Senior Research University of São Paulo in Piracicaba, Helmut Assistant Richard McHorney secures the tape Elsenbeer, a hydrologist from Germany’s and hands her a current meter to measure the University of Potsdam, and Eric Davidson, a depth and velocity of the flowing water every biogeochemist at the Woods Hole Research 10 centimeters (4 inches) along the tape from Center. bank to bank. The project is the first watershed-scale The stream’s cross section dutifully study of the impact of Amazon soybean recorded, McHorney unwraps a agriculture. It is centered on Tanguro Ranch, laptop computer from the safety of a 200,000-acre farm owned by the agricultural a plastic bag and plugs a cord into consortium Grupo A, Maggi. Tanguro lies in a data logging device tied securely the headwaters of the Xingu River, a major to a stake at the stream’s edge. With southern tributary of the Amazon. The large a few keystrokes, he views the level size of the study area is important—it allows of the stream water, recorded every us to compare whole watersheds in soybean hour on the hour for the last six fields with whole watersheds that remain months, and then transfers the data forested. to his computer. Already, Hayhoe’s results show that the total Hayhoe will use the information volume of water flowing in streams from to calculate exactly how much soybean watersheds is nearly double that water flows downstream each year. from forest watersheds. Her oxygen isotope Her study subject—a watershed— measurements indicate that despite the is a fundamental unit, long used higher flows in soybean streams, almost all by ecologists, to study the basic of the streamwater arrives after a long passage hydrological function of ecosystems. through groundwater. She and McHorney fill three bottles of water that they will use to These measurements are at the heart measure sediment, nutrients and of questions vital to the future of the isotopes of oxygen, which provide Amazonian forest and the people who make information about how much their living in the Amazon. First, as more streamwater arrived via groundwater and more land is cleared, more water will or faster overland flows. end up in larger rivers. This increases the risk of flooding—a phenomenon that may Rich McHorney and Shelby Later that day, they head to another stream. already be happening. Second, less water Hayhoe collect data from a stream in Mato Grasso, Only the setting is different. Instead of returned to the atmosphere means less Brazil. (Chris Neill) walking through forest, they drive 10 water vapor available to form rain within kilometers down a series of well-built the Amazon Basin itself. While we don’t yet roadways that crisscross across a landscape know precisely the amount of clearing that that has been transformed into neatly planted will trigger larger-scale changes to rainfall, soybean fields that stretch nearly from remote sensing combined with information horizon to horizon. Repeating the process, from small watersheds will be essential for McHorney and Hayhoe measure stream depth developing models that can predict these and velocity and collect the automatically critical thresholds. logged stream levels.

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 9 Education

SES students and instructors in the field and in the lab. (Tom Kleindinst) Semester in Environmental Science

The Semester in Environmental Science (SES) at the MBL is currently the only aca- demic year educational program available for undergraduates at a research institution in Woods Hole. Over the past 12 years, 180 students have completed the program and about half have gone on to receive graduate training in environmental science, policy or engineering. Nearly 70 percent of SES alumni remain involved in fields related to environmental science and management.

In 2008, 14 students were admitted to the SES program from a variety of schools including Bates College, Connecticut College, Colorado College, Dillard University, Franklin and Marshall College, Lawrence University, Lafayette College, Mount Holyoke College, Northwestern University, SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry School, and Wesleyan University. Although they were enrolled in U.S. colleges, this was an international group including students from Tanzania, China, Nepal, and Trin- idad. To help assure a diverse student population and provide all students with equal access to the program, $84,059 in financial assistance was offered in 2008, a signifi- cantly larger amount than in prior years. This scholarship aid was derived from three major sources: a grant provided by the A.W. Mellon Foundation to support under- represented groups in environmental science, gifts totaling $19,500 from individual donors, and endowment income from the Osterhout/Sears and Speck funds dedicated for undergraduate support.

During the first 10 weeks of the program, students completed a set of structured Wayne Daniel of Dillard University lab and field exercises as part of the core courses and visited a variety of freshwater, filters phytoplankton in the SES lab. estuarine and terrestrial sites. At each field site, they measured ecosystem structure (Ken Foreman) (e.g., species composition and biomass of plants, animals and microbes present, light, salinity, soil characteristics, etc.) and function (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration, nutri- ent cycling and release). Students reported on their findings at weekly or bi-weekly discussion sessions and prepared written lab reports. Students also completed an elec- tive course (in 2008, either mathematical modeling of ecosystems or microbial meth- ods in ecology). During the last six weeks of the program, after the formal coursework ended, students pursued independent research projects and presented their findings at a public symposium held in December. Results from this work are submitted as final written project reports and are posted to our website, http://courses.mbl.edu/SES/.

For more information about the SES program, please go to the website, http://courses.mbl.edu/SES/.

10 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 One SES Student’s Story by Jennifer Peters

After graduating from Bard College with a degree in My job was to help out on many of the different ecological biology, I began searching for a “real job.” research projects that worked out of the terrestrial I’d had some broad experience working for the New lab. For this I relied very heavily on my SES lab York Department of Environmental Conservation on experience. I utilized many of the techniques we the Hudson River taking water quality measurements. covered during the core SES courses. I used an infrared But, like most recent college graduates, my resumé gas analyzer to measure ecosystem photosynthesis, didn’t include a lot of professional science experience. measured leaf area, and used buried bags to estimate I’d done a senior thesis on eastern coyotes, spent a nitrogen mineralization in the soil. I even used the January intersession in Kenya studying snakes, and wet chemistry we learned in SES to measure phosphate during my junior year in SES, I completed a project and nitrate in soil extracts, and determined carbon and on water and carbon budgets on Martha’s Vineyard. nitrogen content of leaf samples using an elemental I managed to find some interesting temporary field analyzer. assistant jobs working on a tree census in Puerto Rico and tagging sage grouse in Colorado, but I always My main responsibility during the summer was hoped to return to the Ecosystems Center. measuring light reflectance from the tundra, essentially the greenness, of vegetation across a When I was a student in SES, faculty member and fertilization gradient. We will use this data to scale up Ecosystems Center senior scientist Gus Shaver gave measurements of biomass based on remote sensing data a fascinating lecture on species composition shifts and learn something about areas that are even more in the Arctic tundra in response to climate change. inaccessible than Toolik, such as the 1000 km2 area I remember Gus’s enthusiasm as he told us the burned during the Anakturak River fire. complex tale of feedbacks that might occur if global warming stimulated nutrient release from frozen During 2007, unusually dry and warm conditions and tundra soils. Ever since that lecture, I’d hoped to an increased incidence of lightning strikes that may have a chance to do research first-hand on the North be occurring due to climate change triggered a major Slope of Alaska. Then I saw a posting for a summer fire on the tundra. The fire blackened the surface and research assistantship working with Gus. I got the exposed the frozen soil, leading to further thawing job and spent last summer working at Toolik Lake during the summer of 2008. This was the first major fire field station! Even more exciting, I was hired as a full recorded in the North Slope over the last 10,000 years time employee at the Ecosystems Center to continue and it is estimated that it released more than 2 million work on the Toolik Lake research site, and to be the metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, burning off the teaching assistant in the Fall SES Program in 2008. top 12 cm of moss. One of the most exciting datasets I collected while at Toolik was the change in reflectance So, two and a half years after finishing at SES, I found and thaw depth recorded from the burned areas over myself ankle-deep in soggy tussock tundra, fertilizing the summer as the landscape began to re-vegetate. the plots Gus had talked about and building the greenhouses I had seen in pictures. The field station Gus’s lecture during SES convinced me that Arctic is about 140 miles north of the Arctic Circle. You ecosystems are some of the most fascinating places on can walk for miles across the rolling hills of tundra, Earth to study—first, because their function is not as with wet feet, tripping over tussocks, and still see well understood as ecosystems in temperate or tropical camp. Not a particularly elegant sight, camp was a climates, and second, because they are experiencing conglomeration of Army fatigue green trailers and extreme warming. It turns out that about 1,000 billion tents sitting next to a gravel access road running metric tons of carbon, an amount greater than the pool parallel to the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. of CO2 in the atmosphere, is thought to be tied up in permafrost soils. The question of what will happen to this carbon as the Arctic warms is really important!

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 11 Education and Outreach Science journalists collect invertebrates from a stream at the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, Toolik Lake, Alaska. (Chris Neill)

The Ecosystems Center is actively involved in education in a variety of ways. In addition to running the Semester in Environmental Science program for college undergraduates, center scientists are professors and advisors in the Brown-MBL Graduate Program, members of doctoral committees and mentors for postdoctoral scientists and undergraduate interns. The center staff also takes part in a range of community outreach activities to increase public understanding of science.

Schoolyard Long-Term Ecological Research Projects

The Arctic Schoolyard LTER is based at Barrow, Alaska, and designed for students, mostly Native American Inupiat, their teachers and local residents. It consists of “Schoolyard Saturday,” a weekly series of lectures and field demonstrations by visiting scientists, and two field activities for Barrow students and teachers. One field experiment measures the effects of climate warming on tundra vegetation; the second experiment measures changes in lake water chemistry.

The Plum Island Ecosystem (PIE) Schoolyard LTER conducts a project with the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Salt Marsh Science Program, a program providing environmental education to more than 700 middle and high school students in the coastal region of northeastern Massachusetts. These activities engage them in salt marsh research near their homes and include monitoring the growth of Phragmites in salt marshes, studying the effect of salinity on the growth of salt marsh vegetation and determining the impact of tidal restrictions on fish. Through an additional educational effort, led by Governer’s Academy in Rowley, school students study the distribution of plants and animals at PIE field sites and maintain a long- term database. Barrow, Alaska, students at an experimental The Palmer Station Schoolyard LTER collaborates with a number of educational station on the tundra, organizations to create interdisciplinary projects that are based on research by Palmer part of the Arctic scientists, and maintains a blog site reporting the progress of its annual oceanographic Schoolyard LTER. (Deborah Greene) cruise.

Undergraduate Internships

With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other groups, the Ecosystems Center has offered many college students the opportunity to undertake research projects in the lab and at field sites. In 2008, nine undergraduates from the University of Massachusetts - Lowell, Clark University, the University of Michigan, Western Washington University, the University of North Carolina, the University of California, San Diego and the College of William and Mary conducted research projects through NSF’s Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program. Their projects ranged from studying the effects of fire on the organic and inorganic chemistry of tussock tundra soil water in Alaska, to research on the effects of herbivory in a nitrogen-enriched salt marsh at the Plum Island LTER in northeastern Massachusetts, to bacterial ecology research at the Palmer LTER site in Antarctica.

12 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Brown-MBL Graduate Program

Five students are working under the supervision of Ecosystems Center scientists in the MBL’s graduate program with Brown University. Gillian Galford is studying regional and global consequences of the expansion of mechanized agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon with Jerry Melillo of the Ecosystems Center and Jack Mustard of Brown. Shelby Hayhoe is looking at the effect of land Rachel Franzblau, REU intern from the University of Michigan, use change on biogeochemical cycling in analyzes organic compounds from sediment traps in Maureen tropical systems, focusing on agricultural Conte’s Oceanic Flux Program. (J.C. Weber) conversion in the Amazon. Her advisors are Christopher Neill of the Ecosystems Center Cambridge, Massachusetts, Youth Programs and Stephen Porder from Brown. Kristen and is sponsored by the National Science Myers is conducting her research on bacterial Foundation. According to its director, community structure in coastal Antarctica Ari Epstein of the MIT, the program was with Hugh Ducklow of the Ecosystems Center designed to “interest, inspire and excite” and Jeremy Rich of Brown. Yawei Luo’s the teenage generation with interesting A children’s book, Sea Secrets: research with Ducklow and Warren Prell of stories produced by their peers on science, Tiny Clues to a Big Mystery, was Brown uses numerical simulation models technology, engineering and mathematics. inspired in part by research at the to study plankton dynamics and nutrient Palmer Station LTER in Antarctica. cycling with emphasis on the open ocean. Environmental Fellows from MIT visited (Beth Simmons) Lindsay Brin is examining how temperature the Ecosystems Center for their annual influences nitrogen pathways in estuaries and retreat to hear presentations by the mangroves. Her advisors are Anne Giblin from center’s Plum Island, Arctic, and Antarctic the Ecosystems Center and Jeremy Rich from LTER researchers, and to network among Brown University. graduate students and scientists pursuing environmental, energy and sustainability Logan Science Journalism Program research topics.

In 2008, 10 journalists, led by Christopher Members of the Ecosystems Center staff Neill, participated in the MBL’s Logan continue to judge community and state Science Journalism Program’s Polar Science science fairs for students in kindergarten Fellowship, created for the International through grade 12 and mentor junior high Polar Year. They traveled to the LTER site at school students. The center also continued Toolik Lake, Alaska. A number its participation in the Woods Hole Science of interviews, articles and blogs and Technology Education Partnership resulted from their two-week stay (WHSTEP), providing assistance to teachers at Toolik. Three polar fellows and students in the local school systems. and Neill will also spend a Senior research assistant Matthew Erickson month next Austral summer at gave an overview of Palmer LTER to teachers Palmer Station on the Antarctic from Upper Cape Cod schools at WHSTEP’s Peninsula. annual dinner and meeting in 2008.

Science Outreach Ecosystems Center staff members serve on many town committees, including the In August, a group of urban Falmouth Zoning Board and Falmouth high school students from Conservation Commission, Falmouth Terrascope Youth Radio produced Associations Concerned with Estuaries “Science Minutes,” interviewing and Salt Ponds, the Association to Preserve Matthew Erickson describes research Ecosystems Center senior scientists Anne Cape Cod, the Falmouth Coastal Resources at the Palmer Station LTER site in Giblin and Zoe Cardon and other Woods working group, the Nutrient Management Antarctica to science teachers from Cape Cod schools. (Debbie Scanlon) Hole scientists. Terrascope Youth Radio is working group and the Falmouth Ashumet a partnership project of the Massachusetts Plume Nitrogen-Offset Committee and the Institute of Technology (MIT) and the City of Falmouth Solid Waste Advisory committee.

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 13 News

Jerry Melillo and Brown-MBL graduate student Gillian Galford attended a four- day workshop in Segou, Mali, in July. Thirty scientists took part in the U.S.-Africa Workshop: Building research collaborations on nitrogen cycling in African Agro- Ecosystems, associated with the Millenium Villages Project.

Gillian Galford (Leigh Winowiecki)

An update on global warming, Global Joe Vallino was in Antarctica at McMurdo Climate Change: Its Impacts in the United Station in January as a member of the LTER States was co-edited by Jerry Melillo with Site Review team for the McMurdo Dry Thomas Karl and Thomas Peterson from Valley LTER project. NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina. The report, Ivan Valiela is a member of the to be released in spring of 2009, was Ecosystems Sciences and Management commissioned by the U. S. Government’s working group of the NOAA’s Science Climate Change Science Program to Advisory Board, and is editor of Estuarine, summarize what is known about the science Coastal and Shelf Science. of climate change and its impacts on the United States. Zoe Cardon has been elected the new president of the Physiological Ecology John Hobbie was named a fellow of the Section of Ecological Society of America American Academy of Arts and Sciences, (ESA). She is the first female president of one of the nation’s most prestigious that research group. Jim Tang chaired the honorary societies. Hobbie, a senior session, “Ecosystem Function: NPP,” for scholar at the Ecosystems Center and lead the ESA annual meeting in Milwaukee in principal investigator of the Arctic Long August. Term Ecological Research (LTER) project, also received the Redfield Award from MBL Visiting Scientist James Galloway, the American Society of Limnology and (University of Virginia) was the recipient Oceanography (ASLO). Bruce Peterson of the 2008 Tyler Prize for Environmental was the recipient of ASLO’s Martin Award. Achievement, the premier award for environmental science, energy, and In the fall, Gus Shaver began a sabbatical environmental health, and considered in Fairbanks, Alaska, building collaborations the equivalvent of a Nobel Prize in those with other scientists from Toolik Field fields. Galloway works each summer Station of the Arctic LTER and with the with Ecosystems Center scientists and in Bonanza Creek LTER in Fairbanks. On an 2008 also spent his sabbatical here from international level, he serves on the steering September to December. committee of the International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC).

14 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Dan Arvizu, Director of the National Research Ecology Laboratory and NSF Science Board member, and Gus Shaver Maureen Conte led a French/US at the Long Term Ecological Research site at Toolik Lake, expedition in October to a remote Alaska. Members of the Science Board visited the Toolik site lake in French Guiana to collect in August. (John Hobbie) sediment cores for a reconstruction of Holocene climate variability in the northeastern Amazon. Anne Giblin was appointed to the board of directors of the Linda Deegan was a featured Gulf of Maine Institute, a non- lecturer at the 20th anniversary of profit organization whose mission the founding of the Waquoit Bay Ed Rastetter spent a month in is to inspire young people, in National Estuarine Research Reserve. Edinburgh, Scotland, working partnership with adults, to become with Mathew Williams on data stewards of the Gulf of Maine and assimilation techniques for carbon its watershed. Giblin also assumed flux data derived from eddy leadership of the Plum Island LTER covariance towers. project in 2008.

Paul Colinvaux wrote a book As part of the International Polar on his 40 years of research in Year, Hugh Ducklow spent the Amazon, Amazon Exhibitions: July, August and September at the My Quest for the Ice-Age Equator, Palmer field station in Antarctica published by Yale University Press. in the Austral winter studying bacterioplankton community Chris Neill was elected president structure. At the Ecosystems of FACES (Falmouth Associations Center, he was host to Xosé (Xelu) Concerned with Estuaries and Salt Morán of the Instituto Español Ponds). de Oceanografía, Xixon, Spain. Morán conducted research on bacterioplankton population dynamics in Waquoit Bay. Ed Rastetter in an old growth Caledonian Forest in the Southern Highlands, near Pitlochry, Scotland. (Philip Wookey)

Toolik Field Station on the North Slope of Alaska. (John Hobbie)

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 15 LTER site at Palmer Station in Antarctica, as seen from Torgeson Island. (Hugh Ducklow)

Publications 2008

Bowden, WB; Gooseff, MN; Balser, A; Green, A; Colinvaux, P. 2008. Amazon Expeditions: My Ducklow, H. 2008. Microbial services: Challenges Peterson, BJ; Bradford, J. 2008. Sediment and Quest for the Ice-Age Equator. Yale University for microbial ecologists in a changing world. nutrient delivery from thermokarst features in Press, New Haven and London. 328 pp. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 53:13-19. the foothills of the North Slope, Alaska: Potential impacts on headwater stream ecosystems. Cooper, L.W; McClelland, JW; Holmes, RM; Ducklow, HW; Erickson, M; Kelly, J; Montes-Hugo, Journal of Geophysical Research 113 G02026, Raymond, PA; Gibson, JJ; Guay,CK; Peterson, BJ. M; Ribic, CA; Smith, RC; Stammerjohn, SE; Karl, DOI:10.1029/2007JG000470. 2008. Flow-weighted values of runoff tracers DM. 2008. Particle export from the upper ocean (18O, DOC, Ba, alkalinity) from the six largest over the continental shelf of the west Antarctic Bradford, MA; Davies, CA; Frey, SD; Maddox, TR; Arctic rivers. Geophysical Research Letters 35 Peninsula: A long-term record, 1992-2007. Deep- Melillo, JM; Mohan, JE; Reynolds, JF; Treseder, L18606, DOI:10.1029/2008GL035007. Sea Research II 55:2118-2131. KK; Wallenstein, MD. 2008. Thermal adaptation of soil microbial respiration to elevated Corell, RW; Hassol SJ; Melillo, JM. 2008. Ducklow, HW. 2008. Long-term studies of the temperature. Ecology Letters 11(12):1316-1327. Emerging challenges: Methane from the Arctic: marine ecosystem along the west Antarctic Global warming wildcard. Pp. 37-48 in: P Peninsula. Deep-Sea Research II 55:1945-1948. Bowen, JL; Valiela, I. 2008. Using delta15N Harrison, ed. UNEP Yearbook 2008. An Overview to assess coupling between watersheds and of Our Changing Environment. Division of Ducklow, HW; Doney, SC; Steinberg, DK. 2008. estuaries in temperate and tropical regions. Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA), United Contributions of long-term research and time- Journal of Coastal Research 24(3):804-813. Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), series observations to marine ecology and Nairobi, Kenya. biogeochemistry. Annual Review of Marine Bret-Harte, MS; Mack, MC; Goldsmith, GR; Science 1:279-302. Sloan, DB; DeMarco, J; Shaver, G; Ray, PM; Culbertson, JB; Valiela, I; Olsen, YS; Reddy, CM. Biesinger, Z; Chapin FS III. 2008. Plant functional 2008. Effect of field exposure to 38-year-old Ewers, BE; Mackay, DS; Tang, J; Bolstad, P; types do not predict biomass responses to residual petroleum hydrocarbons on growth, Samanta, S. 2008. Intercomparison of sugar removal and fertilization in Alaskan tussock condition index, and filtration rate of the ribbed maple stand transpiration responses to tundra. Journal of Ecology DOI:10.1111/j. mussel, Geukensia demissa. Environmental environmental conditions from the western Great 1365-2745.2008.01378. Pollution 154:312-319. Lakes Region of the United States. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 148:231-246. Buchsbaum, RN; Deegan, LA; Horowitz, J; Culbertson, JB; Valiela, I; Pickart, M; Peacock, Garritt, RH; Giblin, AE; Ludlam, JP; Shull, D. EE; Reddy, CM. 2008. Long-term consequences Fleeger, JW; Johnson, DS; Galvan, KA; Deegan, 2008. Effects of regular salt marsh haying on of residual petroleum on salt marsh grass. LA. 2008. Top-down and bottom-up control of marsh plants, algae, invertebrates and birds at Journal of Applied Ecology DOI:10.1111 infauna varies across the salt marsh landscape. Plum Island Sound, Massachusetts. Wetland /j.1365-2664.2008.01477. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology and Management DOI:10.1007/s11273- Ecology 357:20-34. 008-9125-3. Davidson, EA; Asner, GP; Stone, TA; Neill, C; Figueiredo, RO. 2008. Objective indicators of Fox, SE; Stieve, E; Valiela, I; Hauxwell, J; Burton, AJ; Melillo, JM; Frey, SD. 2008. pasture degradation from spectral mixture McClelland, J. 2008. Macrophyte abundance in Adjustment of forest ecosystem root respiration analysis of Landsat imagery. Journal of Waquoit Bay: Effects of land-derived nitrogen as temperature warms. Journal of Integrative Geophysical Research G: Biogeosciences 113: loads on seasonal and multi-year biomass Plant Biology 50(11):1467-1483. Art. No. G00B03 10.1029/2007JG000622. patterns. Estuaries and Coasts 31(3):532-541, 10.1007/s12237-008-9039-6. Cardon, ZG; Gray, DW; Lewis, LA. 2008. The Desai, AR; Noormets, AN; Bolstad, PV; Chen, J; green algal underground – evolutionary secrets Cook, BD; Curtis, PV; Davis, KJ; Euskirchen, ES; Frey, SD; Drijber, R; Smith, H; Melillo, J. 2008. of desert cells. BioScience 58(2):114-122. Gough, C; Martin, JM; Ricciuto, DM; Schmid, Microbial biomass, functional capacity, and HP; Su, H; Tang, J; Vogel, C; Wang, W. 2008. community structure after 12 years of soil Carmichael, RH; Hattenrath, T; Valiela, I; Influence of vegetation type, stand age and warming. Soil Biology and Biochemistry Michener, RH. 2008. Nitrogen stable isotopes climate on carbon dioxide fluxes across the 40(11):2904-2907, DOI:10.1016/j. in the shell of Mercenaria mercenaria trace Upper Midwest, USA: Implications for regional soilbio.2008.07.020. wastewater inputs from watershed to estuarine scaling of carbon flux.Agricultural and Forest ecosystems. Aquatic Biology 4:99-111. Meteorology 148:288-308. Frumhoff, PC; McCarthy, JJ; Melillo, JM; Moser, SC; Wuebbles, DJ; Wake, C; Spanger-Siegfried, E. Chaves, J; Neill, C; Elsenbeer, H; Krusche, Drake, DC; Peterson, BJ; Deegan, LA; Harris, 2008. An integrated climate change assessment A; Germer, S; Gouveia Neto, S. 2008. Land LA; Miller, EE; Warren, RS. 2008. Plant nitrogen for the Northeast United States. Mitigation and management impacts on runoff sources in small dynamics in fertilized and natural New England Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 13: Amazon watersheds. Hydrological Processes saltmarshes: A paired 15N tracer study. Marine 419-423. 22:1766-1775. Ecology Progress Series 354:35-46.

16 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Caption

Fry, B; Cieri, M; Hughes, J; Tobias, C; Deegan, L; Lambers, H; Raven, JA; Shaver, G; Smith, SE. Sokolov, AP; Kicklighter, DW; Melillo, JM; Peterson, B. 2008. Stable isotope monitoring of 2008. Specialised nutrient-acquisition strategies Felzer, B; Schlosser, CA; Cronin, TW. 2008. benthic-planktonic coupling using salt marsh fish. reflect plant adaptations to changing N and P Consequences of considering carbon/ Marine Ecology Progress Series 369:193-204. status as soils change over geological time scales. nitrogen interactions on the feedbacks Trends in Ecology and Evolution 23(2):95-103. between climate and the terrestrial carbon Gage, DJ; Herron, PH; Pinedo, CA; Cardon, cycle. Journal of Climate 21:3776-2796, ZG. 2008. Live reports from the soil grain – the McClintock, J; Ducklow, H; Fraser, W. 2008. DOI:10.1175/2008JCLI2038.1. promise and challenge of microbiosensors. Ecological responses to climate change on the Functional Ecology 22:983-989. Antarctic Peninsula. American Scientist 96: Tang, J; Bolstad, PV; Desai,AR; Martin, JG; 302-310. Cook, BD; Davis, KJ; Carey, EV. 2008. Ecosystem Galford, GL; Mustard, JF; Melillo, JM; Gendrin, respiration and its components in an old-growth A; Cerri CC; Cerri, CEP. 2008. Wavelet analysis McKnight, DM; Gooseff, MN; Vincent, WF; forest in the Great Lakes region of the United of MODIS time series to detect expansion and Peterson, BJ. 2008. High-latitude rivers and States. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology intensification of row-crop agriculture in Brazil. streams. Pp 83-102 in Polar Lakes and Rivers: 148:171-185. Remote Sensing of Environment 112(2):576-587. Limnology of Arctic and Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems. WF Vincent, J Laybourn-Parry, eds. Teichberg, M; Fox, SE; Aguila, C; Olsen, YS; Gasol, JM; Pinhassi, J; Alonso-Sáez, L; Ducklow, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Valiela, I. 2008. Macroalgal responses to H; Herndl, GJ; Koblížek, M; Labrenz, M; Luo, experimental nutrient enrichment in shallow Y; Morán, XAG; Reinthaler, T; Simon, M. 2008. McNamara, J; Kane, D; Hobbie, J; Kling, G. 2008. coastal waters: growth, internal nutrient pools, Towards a better understanding of microbial Hydrologic and biogeochemical controls on the and isotopic signatures. Marine Ecology Progress carbon flux in the sea.Aquatic Microbial Ecology spatial and temporal patterns of nitrogen and Series 368:117-126. 53:21-38. phosphorus in the Kuparuk River, arctic Alaska. Hydrological Processes DOI:10.1002/hyp.6920. Tian, H; Liu, J; Melillo, JM; Liu, M; Kicklighter, Geisz, HN; Dickhut, RM; Cochran, MA; Fraser WR; D; Yan X; Pan, S. 2008. The Terrestrial Carbon Ducklow, HW. 2008. Melting glaciers: A probable Melillo, J; Sala, O. 2008. Ecosystem services. Pp. Budget in East Asia: Human and Natural source of DDT to the Antarctic marine ecosystem. 75-115 in E Chivian, A Bernstein, eds. Sustaining Impacts. Pp. 163-175 in C Fu, J Freney, J Environmental Science and Technology 10.1021/ Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity. Steward, eds. Changes in the Human-Monsoon es702919n. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. System of East Asia in the Context of Global Change. World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Haas, HL; Freeman, CJ; Logan, JM; Deegan, LA; Morán, XAG; Calvo-Díaz, A. 2008. Single-cell vs. Ltd., Singapore, Hackensack, London. Gaines, EF. 2008. Examining mummichog growth bulk activity properties of coastal bacterioplankton and movement: Are some individuals making over an annual cycle in a temperate ecosystem. Valiela, I; Fox, SE. 2008. Managing coastal intra-season migrations to optimize growth? FEMS Microbial Ecology 1–14. wetlands. Science 319:290-291. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology DOI:10.1016/j.jembe.2008.09.027. Mulholland, PJ; Helton, AM; Poole, GC; Hall, RO Valiela, I.; Fox, S. 2008. Mechanisms of Jr.; Hamilton, SK; Peterson, BJ; Tank, JL; Ashkenas, ecological control over time: Evidence from Hobbie, EA; Hobbie, JE. 2008. Natural abundance LR; Cooper, LW; Dahm, CN; Dodds, WK; Findlay, coastal ecosystem. Pp. 223-243 in F Valladares, of 15N in nitrogen-limited forests and trundra can SEG; Gregory, SV; Grimm, NB; Johnson, SL; A Camacho, A Elosegui, M Estrada, C Gracia, JC estimate nitrogen cycling through mycorrhizal McDowell, WH; Meyer, JL; Valett, HM; Webster, Senar, JM Gili, eds. Unity in Diversity. Ed Rubes, fungi: A review. Ecosystems 11:815-830. JR; Arango, CP; Beaulieu, JJ; Bernot, MJ; Burgin, Fundación BBVA, Madrid. AJ; Crenshaw, CL; Johnson, LT; Niederlehner, BR; Hobbie, JE; Laybourn-Parry, J. 2008. Heterotrophic O’Brien, JM; Potter, JD; Sheibley, RW; Sobota, DJ; Vincent, WF; Hobbie, JE; Laybourn-Parry, J. microbial processes in polar lakes. Pp. 197-212 Thomas, SM. 2008. Stream denitrification across 2008. Introduction to high latitude limnology. in Polar Lakes and Rivers: Limnology of Arctic biomes and its response to anthropogenic nitrate Pp. 1-23 in WF Vincent, J Laybourn-Parry, eds. and Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems. WF Vincent, loading. Nature 452:202-205. Polar Lakes and Rivers: Limnology of Arctic and J Laybourn-Parry, eds. Oxford University Press, Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems. Oxford University Oxford. Nowinski, N; Trumbore, SE; Schuur, E; Mack, M; Press, Oxford. Shaver, G. 2008. Nutrient addition prompts rapid Holmes, RM; McClelland, JW; Raymond, PA; destabilization of organic matter in an Arctic Wan, Z, Vallino, JJ; Peterson, BJ. 2008. Study Frazer, BB; Peterson, BJ; Stieglitz, M. 2008. Lability tundra ecosystem. Ecosystems 11:16-25. of the inter-annual food web dynamics in the of DOC transported by Alaskan rivers to the Arctic Kuparuk River with a first order approximation Ocean. Geophysical Research Letters 35(3): Art. Robertson, GP; Dale, VH; Doering, OC; Hamburg, inverse model. Ecological Modelling 211:97-112. No. L03402, 10.1029/2007GL032837. SP; Melillo, JM; Wander, MM; Parton, WJ; Adler, PR; Barney, JN; Cruse, RM; Duke, CS; Fearnside, Wollheim, W.M., Peterson, BJ; Thomas, Hopkinson, CS; Giblin, AE. 2008. Salt marsh PM; Follett, RF; Gibbs, HK; Goldemberg, J; SM; Hopkinson, CH; Vörösmarty, CJ. 2008. nitrogen cycling. Pp. 977-1022 in Nitrogen in Mladenoff, DJ; Ojima, D; Palmer, MW; Sharpley, Dynamics of N removal over annual time the Marine Environment. R Capone, D Bronk, M A; Wallace, L; Weathers, KC; Wiens, JA; Wilhelm, periods in a suburban river network. Journal Mulholland, E Carpenter, eds. Elsevier Publishers. WW. 2008. Sustainable biofuels redux. Science of Geophysical Research 113:G03038, 322(5898):49-50, 10.1126/science.1161525. DOI:10.1029/2007JG000660. Huang, S; Conte, M. 2008. Source/process apportionment of major and trace elements in San Gil, I; Sheldon, W; Schmidt, T; Servilla, M; Wollheim, WM; Vorosmarty, CJ; Bouwman, sinking particles in the Sargasso Sea. Geochimica Aguilar, R; Gries, C; Gray, T; Field, D; Cole, J; AF; Green, P; Harrison, J; Linder, E; Peterson, et Cosmochimica Acta 10.1016/j.gca.2008.08.023 Pan, J; Palanisamy, G; Henshaw, D; O’Brien, M; BJ; Seitzinger, SP; Syvitski, JPM. 2008. Global Kinkel, L; McMahon, K; Kottmann, R; Amaral- N removal by freshwater aquatic systems using Knapp, AK; Briggs; JM; Collins, SL; Archer, SR; Zettler, L; Hobbie, J; Goldstein, P; Guralnick, RP; a spatially distributed, within-basin approach. Bret-Harte, MS; Ewers, BE; Peters, DP; Young, DR; Brunt, J; Michener, WK. 2008. Defining linkages Global Biogeochemical Cycles 22 (2): Art. No. Shaver, GR; Pendall, E; Cleary, MB. 2008. Shrub between the GSC and NSF’s LTER Program: How GB2026, 10.1029/2007GB002963. encroachment in North American grasslands: Shift the ecological metadata language (EML) relates to in growth form dominance rapidly alters control GCDML and other outcomes. OMICS: A Journal of Zimmermann, A; Germer, S; Neill. C; Krusche, of ecosystem C inputs. Global Change Biology Integrative Biology 12(2):151-156, DOI:10.1089/ AV; Chaves J; Elsenbeer, H. 2008. Spatio– 14(3):615-623. omi.2008.0015. temporal patterns of throughfall water and solute deposition in an open tropical rain forest, south–western Amazonia, Brazil. Journal of Hydrology 360:87-102, DOI:10.1016/j. hydrol.2008.07.028. Ecosystems Center Report 2008 17 In Press

Baeta, A; Pinto, R; and climate on the Giblin, AE. Iron Tian, H; Liu, J; Melillo, Valiela, I; Richard, P; water budget of the and Manganese, in JM; Liu, M; Kicklighter, Niquil, N; Marques, Ipswich River Basin, G. Likens, ed. The D; Yan, X; Pan, S. JC. δ15N and δ13C in Massachusetts, USA. Encyclopedia of Inland The terrestrial carbon the Mondego estuary Water Resources Waters. Elsevier Press. budget in East Asia: food web: Seasonal Research. Human and natural variation in producers Harrison, J; Maranger, impacts, in C. Fu; J. and consumers. Cole, ML; Kroeger, R; Alexander, R; Freney; J. Steward, Marine Environmental KD; McClelland, Giblin, AE; Jacinthe, eds. Changes in the Research. JW; Valiela, I. Effects P; Mayorga, E; Human-Monsoon of watershed land Seitzinger, S; Sobota, System of East Asia Baeta, A; Valiela, I; use on nitrogen D; Wollheim, W. in the Context of Rossi, F; Pinto, R; concentrations and The regional and Global Change. SCOPE Richard, P; Niquil, δ15N of nitrogen global significance of Series, Island Press, N; Marques, JC. in groundwater. nitrogen removal in Washington, DC. Eutrophication and Biogeochemistry. lakes and reservoirs. trophic structure Biogeochemistry. Valiela, I; Kinney, E; in response to the Deegan, LA; Neill, Culbertson, J; Peacock, presence of the eelgrass C; Victoria, RL; Hobbie, JE; Hobbie, EA; E; Smith, S. Global Zostera noltii. Marine Krusche, AV; Ballester, Weber, JC; Shamhar, J; losses of mangroves Biology. MVR; Thomas, SM; Drossman, H; Conte, and salt marshes: Haupert, CL. Using M. Mycorrhizal fungi Magnitudes, causes Ballester, MVR; Victoria, whole stream 15N supply nitrogen to host and consequences, RL; Krusche, AV; additions to streams to plants in arctic tundra in C. Duarte, ed. Bernardes, M; Neill, C; understand the effects and boreal forests: Global Loss of Deegan, L; Richey, JE. of land use change 15N is the key signal. Coastal Habitats: Kate Morkeski samples Fish Brook in Boxford, Physical and human on stream function. Canadian Journal of Magnitudes, Causes, Massachusetts, as part of a nitrogen cycling study. controls on the carbon Application of isotope Microbiology. and Consequences. (Martin Briggs) composition of organic techniques for water Fundacion BBVA. matter in tropical quality assessment Johnson, DS; Fleeger, Madrid. rivers: an integrated and management, JW; Deegan, LA. Large- analysis of landscape focusing on nutrient scale manipulations Van Wijk, MT; properties and river management in rivers. reveal top-down and Street, LE; Williams, isotopic composition. International Atomic bottom-up controls M; Shaver, GR. Application of isotope Energy Agency, Vienna, interact to alter habitat Evapotranspiration techniques for water Austria. utilization by saltmarsh in the Arctic: quality assessment fauna. Marine Ecology determining factors and management, Fennel, K; Brady, D; Progress Series. and quantification. focusing on nutrient DiToro, D; Fulweiler, Ecosystems. management in rivers. RW; Gardner, WS; Kniffin, M; Neill, International Atomic Giblin, A; McCarthy, C; McHorney, RM; Valiela, I; Kinney, K; Energy Agency, Vienna, MJ; Rao, A.; Seitzinger, Gregory, G. Nutrient Culbertson, J; Peacock, Austria. S; Thouvenot-Korppoo, limitation of periphyton E; Smith, S. Global M; Tobias, C. Modeling and phytoplankton in losses of mangroves Bowen, JL; Crump, BC; denitrification in Cape Cod coastal plain and salt marshes: Deegan, LA; Hobbie, aquatic sediments. ponds. Northeastern Magnitudes, causes JE. Increased supply Biogeochemistry. Naturalist. and consequences, of ambient nitrogen in C. Duarte, ed. has minimal effect on Fry, B; Cieri, M; Koop-Jakobsen, K; Global Loss of salt marsh bacterial Hughes, J; Tobias, C; Giblin, AE. Anammox Coastal Habitats: production. Limnology Deegan, LA; Peterson, in tidal marsh Magnitudes, Causes, and Oceanography. B. Stable Isotope sediments: The role and Consequences. monitoring of benthic- of salinity, nitrogen Fundacion BBVA. Cerri, CEP; Bernoux, M; pelagic coupling with loading and marsh Madrid. Chaplot, V; Volkoff, B; salt marsh fish.Marine vegetation. Estuaries Vicotira, RL; Melillo, JM; Ecology Progress and Coasts. Wookey, PA; Aerts, Paustian, K; Cerri, CC. Series. R; Bardgett, RD; Nova Vida agronomic Neill, C; Bezerra, MO; Baptist, F; Bråthen, experiment: 1> Taking Germer, S; Neill, C; McHorney, R; O’Dea, KA; Cornelissen, JHC; into account the Vetter, T; Chaves, J; CB. Distribution, Gough, L; Hartley, spatial variability of soil Krusche, AV; Elsenbeer, species composition IP; Hopkins, DW; properties for selecting H. Implications of long- and management Lavorel, S; Shaver, GR. the experimental area. term land-use change implications of seed Ecosystem feedbacks Plant and Soil. on the hydrology banks in southern and cascade processes: and solute budgets New England coastal understanding their Claessens, L; Rastetter, of small catchments plain ponds. Biological role in the responses E; Hopkinson, C; in Rondônia (Brazil). Conservation. of arctic and alpine Vallino, J; Canfield, S; Journal of Hydrology. ecosystems to Pontius, R. Evaluating environmental change. the effect of historical Global Change Biology. changes in land use

18 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 2008 Seminars

February Elissa Schuett measures discharge at 19 Xosé (Xelu) Morán, the Anaktuvak River in Alaska, the Centro Oceanográfico de site of a fire that burned 256,000 Xixón, Instituto Español de acres in 2007. (Angela Allen) Oceanografía, “Carbon flux through bacterioplankton”

26 Johan (Joop) Varekamp, Wesleyan University, “Paleoenvironmental history of Long Island Sound”

March May 30 Peter Pollard, Australian 31 *Ruth DeFries, Lamont 4 Kevin Griffin, Lamont- Rivers Institute, School of Doherty Earth Observatory, Doherty Earth Observatory, 6 Deborah Robertson, Clark Environmental Engineering, Columbia University “Climate change and plant University, “The evolution Griffith University, Australia “Land use transitions in respiration: Mechanisms and regulation of nitrogen “The missing carbon link: the tropics” and implications” assimilation in marine algae: Terrestrial production meets new surprises from old aquatic microbial processes November 18 Ken Foreman, MBL enzymes” in freshwater ecosystems” Ecosystems Center, 4 Amy Lesen, Dillard “Innovative nutrient 13 Colin Polsky, Clark October University, “New Orleans pre- management strategies University, “Reflections on and post-Katrina: A US case for Cape Cod estuaries: the holy grail of integrating 7 Aaron M. Ellison, Harvard study in coastal cities at risk. The science and policy of social and natural science: Forest, Ecology, culture, history, and using permeable reactive The case of climate, land “Detection and forecasting vulnerability—What is the barriers to remediate nitrate use, and nutrient cycling in of thresholds in ecological role of scientists?” pollution” coastal zones” systems: What do we need to know and when do we need 11 Zoe Cardon, MBL 25 Katherine Smith, Brown September to know it?” Ecosystems Center, University, “U.S. live animal “Hydraulic redistribution in imports: 1.6 billion and 12 *Peter Ward, University 14 Ruth Yanai, State a semi-arid Utah landscape- climbing” of Washington, “Is past University of New York, measures, models, and global warming in deep time College of Environmental microbes” April a clue to the near future on Science and Forestry, Earth?” Syracuse, “What controls 18 Jim Galloway, University 1 Scott Doney, Woods Hole calcium depletion in of Virginia, “Food, feed and Oceanographic Institution, 16 Kathleen Savage, northern hardwood fuel: A story about nitrogen” “Ocean acidification in a Woods Hole Research ecosystems? Acid rain or aging forests?” 25 John Peterson, Oberlin future high CO2 world” Center, “Deconstructing soil respiration response to College, “Buildings as 8 Roman Stocker, MIT environmental variables at 21 Christopher Neill, ecological systems: Using real- Department of Civil and varying temporal scales” MBL Ecosystems Center, time resource use feedback Environmental Engineering. “From coastal plain ponds to foster understanding and “Life in the microbial world: 23 Edward Rastetter, to coastal sandplains: The stimulate conservation” Making a living in a patchy MBL Ecosystems Center, implications of soil seed ocean” “The PLIRTLE model, the banks for conservation December Ensemble Kalman Filter, and restoration in two 15 Jim Tang, MBL endangered ecosystems of and CO2 fluxes from Arctic 2 Meredith Hastings, Ecosystems Center, “Age- ecosystems” Massachusetts” Brown University, “The driven decline of forest biogeochemical-climate productivity and respiration: 26 *Steward Pickett, Cary 24 *Ivette Perfecto, Dept. record: A new perspective on An ecological paradigm of Institute of Ecosystem of Natural Resources and nitrate” succession revisited” Studies, “Urban ecology: Environment, University of Approach and insights as Michigan, “Special ecology 9 Adrian Rocha, MBL 29 Wil Wolheim, University illustrated by the Baltimore in a coffee agroecosystem: Ecosystems Center, “Burn of New Hampshire, Ecosystems Study Long-Term Implications for biological severity influences post-fire “Nutrient attenuation by Ecological Research project” control of pests and diseases” surface energy and mass river systems at watershed to exchanges in arctic tundra” global scales”

* SES Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series Ecosystems Center Report 2008 19 Scientists at the MBL

Hugh W. Ducklow Kenneth H. Foreman Gaius R. Shaver Senior Scientist, Director of Semester in Senior Scientist Co-Director Environmental Science Ph.D., Duke University Ph.D., Harvard Ph.D., Boston University University Gus’s research is focused on the role of Hugh is a biological Ken’s principal plants in ecosystem oceanographer focus- research area is the element cycles, espe- ing on the roles of coastal zone. In recent cially in Alaskan tun- bacteria in the ocean years, he has been dra ecosystems, where carbon cycle. His studying the effects low temperatures, low research in Antarctica of nutrient loading light intensities, low looks at the responses on benthic and water nutrient availability, of the continental column communities and a short growing shelf sea ice zone and processes. season all interact to ecosystem to rapid limit plant growth. climate warming. Anne E. Giblin Senior Scientist Christopher Neill Jerry M. Melillo Ph.D., Boston Associate Scientist Senior Scientist, University Ph.D., University Co-Director of Massachusetts, Ph.D., Yale University Anne’s major research Amherst focus is the cycling of Jerry is interested in elements in the envi- Chris investigates how how human activi- ronment, especially ecosystems cycle nutri- ties are altering the the biogeochemistry ents and organic mat- biogeochemistry of of iron, sulfur, nitro- ter and how changes terrestrial ecosystems gen and phosphorus in land use, such as and especially how in soils and sedi- deforestation in the global changes are ments. tropics, alter the struc- affecting the chemis- ture and biogeochem- try of the atmosphere istry of ecosystems. and the overall Bruce J. Peterson climate system. Senior Scientist Ph.D., Cornell Jianwu (Jim) Tang University Assistant Scientist Zoe G. Cardon Ph.D., University of Senior Scientist Bruce focuses on California, Berkeley Ph.D., Stanford understanding aquatic University productivity and glob- Jim’s research focuses al change by studying on soil biogeochem- Zoe’s research focuses the cycles of water, istry and soil-plant on microbial activity carbon and nitrogen interactions, particu- in soil around plant at the ecosystem and larly on carbon and ni- roots (the rhizo- global levels. trogen cycles through sphere), including ecosystems processes. how water fluxes driven by plants af- Edward B. Rastetter fect resource availabil- Senior Scientist ity, local conditions, Ph.D., University of Joseph J. Vallino and biogeochemistry Virginia Associate Scientist in the rhizosphere. Ph.D., Massachusetts Ed synthesizes field Institute of Technology and laboratory data Linda A. Deegan using simulation Joe’s research employs Senior Scientist models to study how thermodynamics to Ph.D., Louisiana State plants and microbes examine how microbi- University optimize their use of al metabolic networks resources like carbon, organize and evolve Linda is interested in nitrogen, light and to utilize energy and the relationship water, and how that resources in the envi- between animal optimization might ronment. populations and influence the response ecosystems because of ecosystems to animals can strongly global change. influence community composition and eco- system nutrient cycles and productivity.

20 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Senior Staff

Paul Colinvaux John E. Hobbie Paul A. Steudler Ivan Valiela Senior Research Scientist Senior Scholar Senior Research Scholar Senior Research Scientist Ph.D., Duke University Ph.D., Indiana University M.S., University of Boston University Oklahoma Ph.D., Cornell University Paul studies past climates and As an aquatic ecologist, John vegetation from the Amazon identifies the factors con- Paul is interested in the Ivan is interested in the cou- to the Arctic through analysis trolling decomposition and responses of temperate and pling of land use on water- of air-borne pollen trapped in productivity in aquatic ecosys- tropical forest and agricul- sheds and coastal ecosystems lake sediments. tems, especially the role that tural ecosystems to distur- in the larger context of global microbes play. bances like hurricanes, ni- change. trogen and sulfur additions, forest cutting and regrowth, and increased temperature.

Adjunct Scientists Postdoctoral Fellows

Sophia E. Fox Adrian V. Rocha Maureen H. Conte Robert Howarth Postdoctoral Scientist Postdoctoral Scientist Adjunct Scientist in Residence Cornell University Ph.D., Boston University Ph.D., University of California, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute Irvine Sciences of Technology/Woods Hole Sophia’s research focuses on Ph.D., Columbia University Oceanographic Institution examining mechanisms of land- Adrian’s research focuses on the sea coupling and the effects of biological and environmental Maureen’s research speciality Bob’s long-term interest is in human activities on receiving controls on ecosystem exchanges is trace level molecular and environmental management coastal ecosystems, paricularly of mass and energy at various isotopic organic geochemistry. and the effects of nutrients and plant and animal community temporal and spacial scales. Research focus areas include pollutants on aquatic ecosystems. structure and food web deep ocean particle flux and His scientific approach is through relationships. the organic geochemistry of biogeochemistry, particularly biogenic aerosols. nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycling and export from land to waters. Gabrielle Tomasky-Holmes Postdoctoral Scientist Ph.D., Boston University

Gabby coordinates an Arctic Observations Network and analyzes carbon dioxide fluxes between tundra and atmosphere at several sites around the Arctic.

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 21 StaffStaff

Dorothy J. Berthel Donald W. Burnette Sarah M. Butler Timothy Cronin Administrative Assistant Research Assistant Research Assistant Research Assistant M.S., Southern Illinois University M.S., University of Maine B. A., Swarthmore College

Matthew J. Erickson Troy D. Hill Robert H. Garritt Melanie Hayn Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant M.S., University of Wisconsin- M.S., Yale University M.S., Cornell University B.S., Cornell University Oshkosh

Kelly R. Holzworth Samuel W. Kelsey David W. Kicklighter Bonnie L. Kwiatkowski Research Administrator Research Assistant Research Associate Research Assistant University of San Diego B.S., Dickinson College M.S., University of Montana M.S., University of New Hampshire

James A. Laundre Christina Maki Richard P. McHorney Kate Morkeski Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant M.S., University of Connecticut B.A., Bates College M.S., University of Pennsylvania M.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

22 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Stephanie Oleksyk Marshall L. Otter Jennifer M. Peters Rebecca L. Prosser Research Assistant Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant Research Assistant M.A., Clark University Ph.D., University of Cape Town B.A., Bard College B.A., Earlham College

Deborah G. Scanlon Elissa B. Schuett Mary Ann Seifert Suzanne M. Thomas Projects and Publications Research Assistant Administrative Assistant Research Assistant Coordinator M.S., Frostburg State University B.A., Alfred University M.S., University of Pennsylvania B.A., Syracuse University

Jane Tucker Chelsea L. Vario J.C. Weber Daniel J. White Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant M.S., University of North B. S., University of New M.S., University of Delaware M.S., State University of New York Carolina Hampshire at Brockport

Ecosystems Center Report 2008 23 Graduate Students

Brown-MBL Graduate Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences

Shelby Hayhoe Gillian L. Galford Yawei Luo Kristen M. S. Myers Lindsay D. Brin B.A. Grinnell College B.A., Washington M.S., Peking B.A., College of William B.A., Swarthmore College Advisors: Christopher Neill, University University and Mary Advisors: Anne Giblin, Ecosystems Center Advisors: Jerry Melillo, Advisors: Hugh Advisors: Hugh Ecosystems Center Stephen Porder, Brown Ecosystems Center Ducklow, Ecosystems Ducklow, Ecosystems Jeremy Rich, Brown University Jack Mustard, Brown Center Center University University Warren Prell, Brown Jeremy Rich, Brown University University

Visiting Graduate Students

Neil Bettez Ketil Koop-Jakobsen Erin L. Kinney Rita Oliveira Monteiro Ylva Olsen Ph.D. candidate, Cornell Ph.D. candidate, Boston Ph.D. candidate, Boston Ph.D candidate, SUNY ESF Ph.D. candidate, Boston University University University M.S., Université de Liège, University M.S., University of North M.S., Roskilde University, B.A., Dartmouth College Belgium M. S., University of Carolina, Greensboro Denmark Plymouth, UK

Consultants Staff who left in 2008

Francis P. Bowles, Research Systems Consultant Marselle Ozinskas-Alexander, Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Carlos E. P. Cerri Angela Allen, Graduate Student, University of Alabama Alina S. Cushing Jennifer S. Barkman, Graduate Student, University of Maryland Heidi Golden Benjamin Felzer, Assistant Professor, Lehigh University Clara Funk, Graduate Student, University of Virginia Jennifer E. Johnson, Graduate Student, Stanford University Visiting Scientists and Scholars Seeta Sistla, Graduate Student, University of California, Santa Barbara Aaron L. Strong, Technical Assistant, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Peter Berg, University of Virginia

Thomas Duncan, Nichols College James Galloway, University of Virginia Roxanne Marino, Cornell University Karen McGlathery, University of Virginia Xelu Morán, Instituto Español de Oceanografía Barbara Ondiviela, Universidad de Contrabria Yumei Zhou, Chinese Academy of Sciences

24 Ecosystems Center Report 2008 Sources of Support for Research and Education

he annual operating budget of The Ecosystems Center for 2008 Twas $7,960,000. Approximately 71% of the income of the center comes from grants for basic research from government agencies, including the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The other 29% comes from gifts and grants from private foundations, including support for the Semester in Environmental Science, as well as from institutional support for administration and income from the center’s reserve and endowment funds, and from the MBL.

These non-governmental funds provide flexibility for the development of new research projects, public policy activities and educational programs.

The combined total value of the center’s reserve fund and endowment at the end of 2008 was $3,320,000. Income from the reserve fund and endowment helps defray the costs of operations, writing proposals, consulting for government agencies and the center’s seminar program. The Ecosystems Center is grateful for the support it has received from the following corporations and foundations over the past five years:

Arthur Vining Davis Foundation Blum-Kovler Foundation, Inc. The Clowes Fund, Inc. Harken Foundation Horizon Foundation, Inc. The Kohlberg Foundation, Inc. Massachusetts Environmental Trust Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation The David and Lucile Packard Foundation The Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust The Sirius Fund The Starr Foundation Sugar, Friedberg and Felsenthal LLP Great Sippewissett Marsh, Falmouth, Massachusetts. (Ivan Valiela)

Revenue Expenses

71% Government Grants 52% Personnel 2% Private 21% Overhead 12% MBL 18% Operating 11% Ecosystems Center Reserve Fund 9% Subcontracts 4% Contributions The Ecosystems Center MBL 7 MBL Street Woods Hole, MA 02543-1301 www.MBL.edu