OOS 25 - Ecology in a Dusty World: Integrating Dust Flux, Human Dimensions, and Ecological Processes in Drylands

Wednesday, August 8, 2012: 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
A107, Oregon Convention Center
Organizer:
Heather L. Throop, New Mexico State University
Co-organizers:
Rebecca L. McCulley, University of Kentucky; Steven R. Archer, University of Arizona; and Paul W. Barnes, Loyola University
Moderator:
Paul W. Barnes, Loyola University
This session will explore the influences of erosion by wind and water on ecological processes in dryland ecosystems. Increasing evidence suggests that ecological processes, from individual physiology to biogeochemical cycling, are strongly affected by erosional processes that move organisms, organic material, soil, and nutrients into and out of systems. A synoptic understanding of these ecological processes therefore requires moving beyond traditional approaches that assume spatial stasis. Expanding our understanding of dryland ecological processes requires embracing the dynamic movement of materials through space. To do this, ecologists are increasingly relying on information, techniques, and collaborations from earth systems science to integrate hydrological and wind transport processes into ecological studies. The overall goal of this organized oral session is to emphasize to the ecological community the importance of erosional processes in dryland ecology. Specifically, we aim to highlight new research in this area, encourage ecologists to include erosional processes in future studies, and open a dialogue among researchers currently exploring these topics. Ultimately, we expect that this forum will stimulate new research and collaboration between researchers working on physical transport processes and biological processes in dryland systems. The session will feature an interdisciplinary group of speakers, with disciplines spanning microbial ecology, plant ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, and geomorphology. The session will begin with a synthesis talk that sets the stage by highlighting the breadth of new work on ecological process responses to erosion. Several talks will focus on the controls over wind- and water- driven erosional processes, with an emphasis on how these controls are affected by human activities (e.g., anthropogenic land cover change, shifting fire regimes, and changes in native animal communities). The session will then progress to explore influences of erosion on community composition and biogeochemical processes (e.g., impacts of soil erosion on microbial communities, leaf litter decomposition processes, and snowmelt). The session will conclude with a broad spatial perspective, with a presentation overviewing the global impacts of dust transport with an emphasis on consequences for global nutrient availability and human health.
8:00 AM
 Integrating transport processes into ecological research: Moving beyond spatial stasis
Heather L. Throop, New Mexico State University; Steven R. Archer, University of Arizona; Rebecca L. McCulley, University of Kentucky; Paul W. Barnes, Loyola University
8:40 AM
 Impacts of vegetation dynamics on the redistribution of sediment, nutrients, and contaminants by wind and water
Jason P. Field, The University of Arizona; Omar F. Villar, The University of Arizona; Janae L. Csavina, National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.); David D. Breshears, The University of Arizona; Eric A. Betterton, The University of Arizona
9:00 AM
 Consequences of fuel load management on erosional processes in pinyon-juniper systems
Nichole N. Barger, University of Colorado Boulder; Heidi S. Guenther, University of Colorado; Mark E. Miller, National Park Service; Jeffrey E. Herrick, USDA Agricultural Research Service
9:20 AM
 Effects of fire regime changes and post-fire treatments on dust emission in sagebrush shrublands of the Great Basin, USA
Joel B. Sankey, USGS; Cynthia S.A. Wallace, U.S. Geological Survey; Seth M. Munson, U.S. Geological Survey; Mark Miller, National Park Service
9:40 AM
9:50 AM
 Soil disturbance by native animals maintains key ecosystem processes in an arid Australian woodland
David J. Eldridge, University of New South Wales; Samantha K. Travers, University of NSW; Terry B. Koen, Office of Environment and Heritage
10:10 AM
 Decomposition in a dusty world: Soil-litter mixing enhances leaf litter decomposition and soil aggregate formation
Daniel B. Hewins, New Mexico State University; Eva M. Levi, University of Arizona; Heather L. Throop, New Mexico State University; Steven R. Archer, University of Arizona
10:30 AM
 Lipid profiles of decomposing plant litter: UV-B and soil deposition interactions
Rebecca L. McCulley, University of Kentucky; Jim A. Nelson, University of Kentucky; Heather L. Throop, New Mexico State University; Steven R. Archer, University of Arizona; Paul W. Barnes, Loyola University; Katharine Predick, University of Arizona; Eva M. Levi, University of Arizona
10:50 AM
 Cross-community comparison of ecosystem effects of dust-caused early snowmelt
Lafe G. Conner, Brigham Young University; Richard A. Gill, Brigham Young University
See more of: Organized Oral Session