Geological Survey

Description

The USGS Alaska Science Center is offering a funding opportunity for research on ¿Stable isotope analysis of nearshore food webs to establish partitioning of micro vs. macro algae-sourced primary production in nearshore ecosystems¿. This research will advance our understanding of how sources of primary production are partitioned in nearshore food webs and how this partitioning affects total nearshore productivity. It is expected nearshore systems will change over time with climate change-induced modification of particular concern. These changes may include alteration of nearshore circulation patterns, changes in freshwater input due to changing precipitation rates and glacial runoff, changes in ocean acidity and changes in storm surge and temperature extremes experienced by intertidal organisms in particular. These changes may affect nearshore communities by affecting species diversity and community structure, which will result in new patterns of primary production partitioning and total system productivity. In turn, these changes may affect carrying capacity of the environment for apex predators in the system including sea otters, sea ducks, migratory sea birds and shore birds. This study will be a valuable addition to the nearshore monitoring work already underway by the USGS and NPS and should aid in understanding causes of potential changes that may occur in nearshore systems over time.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves, 703-648-7356 <br/>fgraves@usgs.gov <br/>
fgraves@usgs.gov