Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/I011722/1
Short circuits in the nitrogen cycle regulate ecosystem development in the terrestrial Antarctic
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr KK Newsham, NERC British Antarctic Survey, Science Programmes
- Grant held at:
- NERC British Antarctic Survey, Science Programmes
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Earth
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Natural Resource Management
- Global Change
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Soil science
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- The Antarctic is a uniquely important 'natural laboratory' for examining ecosystem responses to climate change, and it is vital that the biological changes being observed there are properly understood. Its uniqueness comes from a combination of the simplicity of its ecosystems, which exhibit restricted species diversity and food chain complexity, with environmental warming which is occurring at approximately twice the rate of change in temperate regions. One of the major features of this warming appears to be the 'greening-up' of terrestrial habitats. This greening appears to be linked to the availability of nitrogen which is often present in short supply in many polar environments. Despite its central role in regulating plant growth, our knowledge of the nitrogen cycle in Antarctic environments remains extremely poor. Consequently, it remains difficult to understand and predict how envionmental perturbations will affect or threaten these unique terrestrial communities. In addition, we believe that current models of the nitrogen cycle are unsound as they have failed to include key cogs and internal loops. Our aim is to greatly expand our knowledge of polar N cycling by looking in detail at competition between soil and plants for organic and inorganic nitrogen. Ultimately, this will enhance mathematical models used for predicting ecosystem responses to perturbation. The work directly underpins policy relating to environmental change and biodiversity in polar regions. The work is also extremely relevant to many other low-input ecosystems around the world (e.g. boreal forest, Arctic tundra, tropical rainforest).
- Period of Award:
- 1 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2014
- Value:
- £176,831 Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/I011722/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant (FEC)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £176,831
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Staff | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £11,844 | £74,913 | £17,582 | £15,096 | £52,701 | £4,695 |
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