Long-Term Ecological Research on Landscape Development and Ecological Processes In A Tide-Dominated Barrier-Lagoon Complex: LTER NSF Award BSR-8702333 (UVA 5-26676) FY2 Progress Report FY3 Continuation Proposal Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia 804-924-0555 Principal Investigator: R. D. Dueser Co-Principal Investigators: L. K. Blum B. P. Hayden G. M. Hornberger A. L. Mills W. K. Nuttle W. E. Odum G. F. Oertel (ODU) H. H. Shugart D. R. Young (VCU) J. C. Zieman Co-Investigators: R. C. Kochel (SIU) F. P. Day (ODU) R. Dolan J. J. Murray, Jr. R. L. Wetzel (VIMS) May 15, 1989 I. Overview of FY2 (1988-89) The second year of NSF/LTER funding for the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-term Ecological Research Program has been another year of building, both literally and figuratively. Our major activities can be summarized under several subject heads: Program Staffing -- We recruited three additional post-doctoral research associates, four new collaborating principal investigators, a site manager, and three new graduate students to the Program. We continued to pursue an aggressive "outreach" program of contact with investigators and administrators at other institutions and agencies. We also incurred losses during FY2, with the departures of principal investigator William K. Nuttle and post-doctoral research associate Lenore Fahrig. Facilities Development -- We have renovated, equipped and occupied 500 additional square feet of laboratory space at our VCR/LTER Laboratory headquarters on the Eastern Shore. The Department of Environmental Sciences has received state funding for the establishment of a stable-isotope laboratory. LTER Activities -- During FY2 we taught 10 courses related to the coastal research program, gave 27 off-Grounds research presentations, submitted or published 13 LTER-related papers, submitted 16 research proposals, and edited the forthcoming symposium volume on the "Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands." The PIs of the VCR/LTER Program worked vigorously to become active in LTER Coordinating Committee activities and inter-site initiatives. Research Planning -- We have identified 25 new start-up research projects for the 1989 field season, each related to one or more of the LTER core topic areas. All of the core topic areas will be addressed by at least two projects. FY3 research activities will involve nine Principal Investigators, five Co-Investigators, five post-doctoral research associates, two collaborating scientist, nine graduate students and five undergraduates. Most of the projects initiated during FY1 extended deeply into FY2, and several will extend into FY3. During FY1/2 field seasons, we identified several specific issues for long-term study. Relationship with VCR/TNC -- Our working relationship with the Virginia Coast Reserve of The Nature Conservancy continued to develop during FY2. Cooperation of the VCR staff made possible a timely start for several shore-based experiments at Brownsville. TNC acquired the extensive Fowling Point marsh, an area with tremendous potential for LTER use. VCR/LTER staff participated in the production of a planning video ("Planning for Tomorrow: A Citizen's Guide for Managing Growth on Virginia's Eastern Shore"), and hosted two brief visits to the VCR/LTER Lab by senior TNC officials and foundation representatives. In a different vein, the issue of access to transportation for personnel and equipment emerged as a major stumbling block to the Hog Island research effort. Discussions continue on this issue. II. Program Staffing A. Project Coordinator post-doctoral research associate -- Luis M. Lagera, Jr. (Ph.D. University of Virginia, 1988) joined the staff on April 1, 1989. Luis is a native of the Phillipines, but he has been in the U.S. for the past 7 years. He is broadly trained in estuarine ecology and environmental chemistry. His research interests include organic matter processing in estuaries, nutrient controls of primary production, and the trophic importance of tropical macrophyte communities. Luis will coordinate the various subprojects of the VCR/LTER Program, including coordination of scientific objectives, experimental design, facilities and personnel. He will work with the Principal Investigator to ensure that the research activities of the Program remain focused, on schedule and within budget. Luis will conduct research in biogeochemistry and estuarine productivity. B. Modelling post-doctoral research associate -- Jonathan Evans (Ph.D. Duke University, 1989) will join the staff on July 1, 1989. Jon completed his doctorate in botany at Duke this spring. With his expertise on the physiology and ecology of dune plants, Jon gives us tremendous added strength in several areas of barrier island ecology. He will serve as the coordinator for our terrestrial studies on Hog Island. He also will provide wide- ranging botanical expertise to our modelling program. C. Microevolution post-doctoral research associate -- Takahiro Asami (Ph.D. University of Virginia, 1988) joined the Program on May 1 to work on studies in genetics and micro- evolution. Hiro is well-versed in population genetics, including the field and laboratory procedures for genetical analysis. He is experienced with both electrophoresis and mitochondrial DNA analysis. Hiro is supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Museum of Natural History. D. Remote sensing archivist -- Mr. Samuel G. Patterson (M.S. University of Tennessee) joined the staff on February 1, 1989. He is responsible for updating and managing the archive of maps, coastal charts and remotely-sensed imagery. E. Site manager -- This important staff position was finally filled on April 1, 1989. Our concept of this position changed gradually during FY1 and early FY2, from the original idea of a combination post-doc/site manager to a combination technician/ waterman/site manager. A national advertisement in winter 1989 attracted 100 applicants, 9 of whom were invited to the VCR/LTER Lab for an interview. Two finalists were invited to Charlottesville for staff interviews. We finally hired Mr. Charles Randolph Carlson, a native and current resident of Cape Charles. Randy served for 7 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Virginia Wesleyan University in 1985. After 5 years in advertising and public relations in Norfolk, Randy has worked as a commercial waterman for the past 2 years. F. Additional scientific staff -- Thanks to an ambitious outreach program, we will have almost twice as many investigators on the ground for all or part of the summer of 1989 as in 1988: Dr. Richard L. Wetzel is an associate professor of marine science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point. The VCR/LTER Program will fund Dick and a technician in FY3 to work with us on the continuing biogeochemical survey of Hog Island and Hog Island Bay. Dick will focus in particular on the distribution of nitrogen among the landscape elements of the VCR. Dr. Donald R. Young is an assistant professor of biology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Don is a plant physiological ecologist who studies the architecture and physiology of evergreen shrubs. He has been funded on an NSF/ROA grant through the VCR/LTER Program to begin research on the physiology, water relations and primary production of Myrica shrubs on Hog Island. Dr. Frank Day is a professor of biological sciences at Old Dominion University. Frank is an ecosystem ecologist with particular interest in below-ground processes (e.g., root production and carbon turnover). The VCR/LTER Program will fund Frank and a graduate student this summer to work with us on the continuing survey of carbon reservoirs on Hog Island. Dr. R. Craig Kochel is an associate professor of geology at Southern Illinois University. While on the U.Va. faculty several years ago, Craig initiated a continuing research program in coastal geomorphology on Assateague Island. Through his years of experience with analyzing and interpreting barrier island stratigraphy, Craig has developed an exceptional ability to associate sedimentary processes with sedimentological patterns. The VCR/LTER Program will fund Craig and a graduate student in May 1989 for a geological study of overwash deposits on Hog Island, including the installation of a network of sites for long-term monitoring of overwash processes. F. Students 1. Graduate students -- Seven M.S. and two Ph.D. students are conducting pilot or thesis research at the University of Virginia in conjunction with the VCR/LTER Program: Terry L. Cook (Ph.D.) -- Long-term vegetation dynamics on Hog Island. Mary-Lynn Cummings (M.S.) -- Population survival in a stochastic environment: The "principal components" of insular fox habitat (Medical leave of absence). Michael L. Fetsko (M.S.) -- Effects of subsurface hydrology on the growth of salt marsh vegetation. Michael Fitch (M.S.) -- Plant community composition on overwash fans. Elizabeth A. Forys (M.S.) -- The effect of immigration on population stability and genetic variability of Oryzomys palustris on the Virginia barrier islands. Michael S. Harris (M.S.) -- Recent geologic history of a Virginia barrier island: Landform and sedimentologic analysis of Hog Island. Bonnie J. Larson (M.S.) -- Conservation strategies for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel on a barrier island landscape. Michele M. Monti (M.S.) -- Distribution, production and function of macroalgae on the Virginia barrier islands. Samuel G. Patterson (Ph.D.) -- Salt marsh accretion and erosion on the Virginia barrier islands. Two additional LTER students will matriculate in the Virginia graduate program next fall. Two graduate students are working in conjunction with the VCR/LTER Program through a subcontract to Dr. George F. Oertel at Old Dominion University, and two with Dr. Donald R. Young at Virginia Commonwealth University. 2. Undergraduate students -- Five U.Va. undergraduates are involved in VCR/LTER activities during 1989: G. Randall Cutter, Andre DesRossier. David Giessler, Andrea M. Scherer, Dennis Leroy Fields. G. Collaborating scientists -- Several potential VCR/LTER investigators have been identified through our "outreach" program during FY2. Discussions and/or active collaboration already is underway on a number of specific projects: Dr. R. Michael Erwin -- avian ecology and migration, Migratory Bird Lab, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent. Active collaboration. Mr. James M. Hill -- avian ecology and plant dispersal, Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. Active collaboration. Dr. Nancy D. Moncrief -- curator of mammalogy, Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville. Active collaboration. Dr. Terrance Schwaner -- curator of herpetology, Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville. Planning collaboration. Ms. Karen Terwilliger -- director of non-game wildlife program, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond. Active collaboration. Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall -- coastal plant ecology, Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. Active collaboration. III. Facilities Development A. Space on the Grounds -- Approximately 300 square feet of office space has been renovated and furnished in Clark Hall to house the LTER GIS facility. Through the efforts of Joseph C. Zieman, the Department recently received funding from the state of Virginia ($200,000) to establish a stable-isotope facility in our Halsey Hall research wing. B. Eastern Shore Facilities -- We have renovated approximately 500 additional square feet of laboratory space at the VCR/LTER Laboratory in Oyster, Virginia. This space includes a 200-square foot electronics lab and a 300-square foot terrestrial ecology lab. Both laboratories will be furnished and occupied during May 1989. 1. Computing facility -- Software has been acquired which facilitates the importation (and limited manipulation) of ERDAS images to the enhanced Zenith AT-class computer. 2. Analytical laboratory -- The "clean" lab has been modified to support the preparation of samples for stable isotope analysis. C. Field instrumentation -- Meteorological stations have been installed on both the mainland and Hog Island. A tide gauge is operating on the mainland (Phillip's Creek). The Hog Island tide gauge will be working by June 1. A second mainlaand tide gauge may be installed on Red Bank Creek this summer. IV. PI Annual Reports (LTER-Related Activities 5/1/88 -4/30/89) A. Courses developed/taught Blum, L.K. Spring 1989. See H.H. Shugart, Jr. Dolan, R. Spring 1989. EVSC 485. Coastal Processes. Dolan, R. Spring 1889. See J.H. Porter. Dueser, R.D. Spring 1988. EVEC 796. Topics in Population Ecology: Microevolution. Fahrig, L. Spring 1989. See H.H. Shugart, Jr. Hayden, B.P. Fall, 1988. EVAT 540. Environmental Climatology and Meteorology. Hayden, B.P. Spring, 1989. EVAT 796. Climate/Ecosystem Dynamics. Mills, A.L. Spring 1989. EVEC 523. Microbial Ecology. Nuttle, W.K. Spring 1989. EVHY 793. Structure and Diagenesis of Marsh Sediments. Odum, W.E. Fall 1988. EVEC 722. Estuarine Ecology. Porter, J.H. Spring 1989. EVSC 793. Applied Statistics in Geology. Shugart, H.H., Jr. Spring 1989. EVSC 796. Modeling Coastal Ecosystems. Zieman, J.C. Fall 1988. See W.E. Odum. Zieman, J.C. Spring 1989. EVEC 521. Aquatic Ecology. B. Seminars, invited lectures and presentations Blum, L.K. 5/88. Rotten vegetation: What do microbes do with plant carbon? Department of Biology. Sweet Briar College. Blum, L.K. and A.L. Mills. 10/88. Microbial growth during the initial stages (14 days) of seagrass decomposition. Atlantic Estuarine Research Society. Bonan, G.B. and B.P. Hayden. 5/88. Forest vegetation structure on the Eastern Shore of Virginia circa 18,000 BP. Dueser, R.D. 5/88. Biota of the Virginia barrier islands: Introduction to a Symposium on the Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands. Virginia Academy of Science. Dueser, R.D. 5/88. Mammals of the Virginia barrier islands. Symposium on the Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands. Virginia Academy of Science. Dueser, R.D., J.L. Dooley, Jr. and G.J. Taylor. 7/88. Habitat structure, forest composition and landscape dimensions as components of habitat suitability for the Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus). Symposium on the Management of Amphibians, Reptiles and Small Mammals in North America. Dueser, R.D. 8/88. Improving the odds in species reintroductions: tests of a model of habitat suitability for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel. Society for Conservation Biology. Dueser, R.D. 9/88. Where are we in the recovery of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel? Worshop Presentation. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia. Dueser, R.D. 2/89. Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research Program. Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Fahrig, L. 5/88. Dispersal, habitat heterogeneity and population persistence. Ohio State University. Fahrig, L. 8/88. A general model of disturbance. Ecological Society of America. Hayden, B.P. 8/88. Climate change and ecosystem dynamics at 18,000 BP and during the last century. Workshop on Climate Variability and Ecosystem Response. Niwot Ridge- Green Lakes Valley LTER Site, University of Colorado. McCaffrey, C. and R.D. Dueser. 5/88. Plant communities of the Virginia barrier islands. Symposium on the Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands. Virginia Academy of Science. Nuttle, W.K. and S. Rauch. 12/88. Geomorphology of tidal creeks in marshes along the Virginia coast. American Geophysical Union. Odum, W.E. 2/89. Coastal wetland ecology. The Nature Conservancy Speaker Series. Brownsville. Odum, W.E. Barrier island ecology. Lenoir Rhyne College. Odum, W.E. Coastal barrier island ecology. Annual Sigma Xi Lecture, Miami University (Ohio). Odum, W.E. Barrier island ecology. University of Indiana. Porter, J.H. and R.D. Dueser. 6/88. A comparison of methods for measuring small mammal dispersal using a Monte Carlo simulation model. American Society of Mammalogists. Porter, J.H. and R.D. Dueser. 8/88. Mice in motion: immigration and social resistance in Peromyscus populations. Ecological Society of America. Rauch, S. and W.K. Nuttle. 10/88. Geomorphological analysis of salt marsh creek systems at the VCR/LTER site. Atlantic Estuarine Research Society. Ray, G.C., B.P. Hayden, A.J. Bulger and J.G. McCormick- Ray. 4/88. Effects of global warming on marine biodiversity. World Wildlife Fund, Conference on "Consequences of the Greenhouse Effect for Biological Diversity." Ray, M. W. and L.K. Blum. 10/88. Vertical distribution of root and rhizome decomposition rates in creek bank and interior marsh sediments at the VCR/LTER site. Atlantic Estuarine Research Society. Shugart, H.H. 5/18. Computer models of forest dynamics: Global scale patterns in forest kinetics. Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. Shugart, H.H. 5/25. Computer models and the ecotone concept. International Workshop on Land Inland Water Ecotones. Sponsored by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, IIASA and UNESCO. Sopron, Hungary Shugart, H.H. 6/16. Computer simulation of forest response to environmental change. Petawawa National Forestry Institute, Canadian Forestry Service, Chalk River, Ontario. Shugart, H.H. 9/21. The use of ecological models in long- term ecological studies. International Workshop in Long- Term Ecological Research and Global Change. Berchtesgaden, West Germany. C. Publications directly related to LTER activities Bonan, G.B. and B.P. Hayden. In press. Forest vegetation structure on the Eastern Shore of Virginia circa 18,000 BP. Virginia Academy of Sciences. Bonan, G.B. and B.P. Hayden. In review. Climate change and ecosystem dynamics at 18,000 BP. Quaternary Research. Dolan, R., H. Lins and B.P. Hayden. 1988. Mid-Atlantic coastal storms. Journal of Coastal Research 4:417-433. Dolan, R. and D.L. Inman. In press. Inlet and barrier island dynamics. Journal of Coastal Research. Dueser, R.D., J.H. Porter and J.L. Dooley, Jr. In press. Direct tests for competition in North American rodent communities: synthesis and prognosis. Symposium on Patterns in the Structure of Mammalian Communities. Fahrig, L. In review. Interacting effects of disturbance and dispersal on individual selection and population stability. Comments on Theoretical Biology. Nuttle, W.K. and H.F. Hemond. In press. Salt marsh hydrology: Implications for biogeochemical fluxes to the atmosphere and estuaries. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. Odum, W.E. and J.W. Harvey. 1988. Barrier island interdunal freshwater wetlands. Association of Southeastern Biologists Bulletin 35: 149-155. Shugart, H.H. 1988. The role of ecological models in long-term ecological studies:90-109. In: G.E. Likens (ed.). Long-term Studies in Ecology. Springer Verlag, New York. Shugart, H.H. and D.L. Urban. 1988. Scale, synthesis, and ecosystem dynamics:279-290. In: L.R. Pomeroy and J.J. Alberts (eds.). Concepts of Ecosystem Ecology . Springer Verlag, New York. Shugart, H.H., P.J. Michaels, T.M. Smith, D.A. Weinstein and E.B. Rastetter. 1988. Simulation models of forest succession:125-151. In: T. Rosswall, R.G. Woodmansee and P.G. Risser (eds.). Scales and Global Changes: Spatial and Temporal Variability in Biospheric and Geospheric Processes. John Wiley and Sons. London. Shugart, H.H., G.B. Bonan, D.L. Urban, W.K. Lauenroth, W,J. Parton and G.M. Hornberger. In press. Computer models and long term ecological research. In: P.G. Risser (ed.). Long-term Ecological Reseach and Global Ecology. Scope Series, John Wiley, New York. Shugart, H.H., G.B. Bonan and E.B. Rastetter. 1988. Niche theory and community organization. Canadian Journal of Botany 66:2634-2639. D. Proposals submitted Blum, L.K. and A.L. Mills. The role of dissolved organic constituents from anaerobic decomposition in oxygen dynamics in the water column. Sea Grant-Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium. Continuation funded. Dueser, R.D. Population status and habitat requirements of the Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Continuation pending. Dueser, R.D. Microevolutionary studies of mammals on the Virginia barrier islands: Post-doctoral support for Dr. Takahiro Asami. Virginia Museum of Natural History. Funded. Dueser, R.D. et al. Genetic relationships and biogeography of small mammals on the southern Delmarva Peninsula. Biomedical Research Support Grant, University of Virginia. Funded. Dueser, R.D. REU support for summer 1989 (VCR/LTER supplement). National Science Foundation. Pending. Hayden, B.P. Coastal biogeographic analysis. NOAA Strategic Assessment Branch. Funded. Mills, A.L. LTER intersite study of bacterial productivity in water. National Science Foundation. Pending. Moncrief, N.D. and R.D. Dueser. Genetics of the Delmarva fox squirrel and an analysis of genetic relationships among the southeastern subspecies of Sciurus niger. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pending. Odum, W.E. et al. The VCR/LTER site: Use of EOS data to relate sea-level change to ecological processes. Earth Orbiting System Program, NASA. Declined. Odum, W.E. et al. Nutrient retention and transformation in Chesapeake Bay wetlands as influenced by subsurface hydrology and internal biogeochemical recycling mechanisms. Sea Grant-Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium. Continuation funded. Odum, W.E. et al. A remote sensing and geographical information system laboratory. Academic Computing Support Program, University of Virginia. Pending. Shugart, H.H., Jr. Using satellite-measurable parameters for extending models of ecological processes to large spatial scales: A test case. NASA. Continuation funded. Shugart, H.H., Jr. et al. Remote sensing and GIS applied to inter-comparison of ecological processes at coastal LTER marsh-estuarine ecosystems (VCR/LTER supplement). National Science Foundation. Pending. Yound, D.R. and R.D. Dueser. Effects of summer drought on Myrica water relations and photosynthesis at the Vriginia Coast Reserve LTER site (VCR/LTER ROA supplement). National Science Foundation. Pending. Zieman, J.C., et al. Isotopic determination of nitrogen sources and processing in estuarine environments. Sea Grant-Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium. Continuation funded. Zieman, J.C. Development of a stable isotope research facility for Environmental Sciences. National Science Foundation. Pending. E. Other activities Dueser, R.D. 5/88. Moderator. Symposium entitled "Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands." Dueser, R.D. 7/88. Member. "Vole Damage Recovery Team" for Niwot Ridge-Green Lakes Valley LTER Site. Dueser, R.D. 4/89. Moderator. Symposium entitled "Virginia's Endangered Species." Dueser, R.D. Team Leader. Delmarva Fox Squirrel Recovery Team. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dueser, R.D. Member. Oral Rabies Vaccine Advisory Committee. Virginia State Department of Health. Fahrig. L. Collaborative research on landscape disturbance, with M. Walker. Niwot Ridge-Green Lakes Valley LTER Site. Hayden, B.P. LTER Coordinating Committee Planning Group for LTER Initiatives in Paleoecology. Hayden, B.P. LTER Climate Committee. Hayden, B.P. 8/88. Workshop on Climate Variability and Ecosystem Response. Niwot Ridge-Green Lakes Valley LTER Site. Nuttle, W.K. Working Group on Hydrology of the Virginia Eastern Shore. Nuttle, W.K. Participant in production of planning video ("Planning for Tomorrow: A Citizen's Guide for Managing Growth on Virginia's Eastern Shore"). Odum, W.E. Advisory Committee. North Inlet LTER Program. Porter, J.H. LTER Data Management Committee. Porter, J.H. Initiated bi-monthly VCR/LTER data management newsletter "DATABITS" with a ciculation of 75. Porter, J.H. Demonstration of remotely accessed "Weather Records from Virginia." LTER Wide Area Network Workshop. Shugart, H.H., Jr. Co-Chairman. LTER Modelling Workshop. University of Virginia. F. Student Reports and Theses Barr, L. 1989. Sedimentation and fallout cesium-137 cycling in a Virginia salt marsh. M.S. Thesis. Department of Environmental Sciences. University of Virginia. Fetsko, M. 1988. The hydrology of the mid-Atlantic Eastern Shore: A collection of papers. Frye, J. 1989. Methane movement in Peltandra virginica. M.S. Thesis. Department of Environmental Sciences. University of Virginia. Hussey, B. 1989. Evapotranspiration from vegetated marsh surfaces. M.S. Thesis. Department of Environmental Sciences. University of Virginia. Wright, E.J. 1988. A history of the Eastern Shore from articles published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1850). Rauch, S. 1989. Geomorphological indices for salt marsh creek systems. Senior project. Department of Environmental Sciences. University of Virginia. G. Symposium on the Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands -- We held a symposium on Friday, May 27, 1988, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science. There were 31 participants who presented 22 papers dealing with the distribution, ecology and evolution of the biota of the VCR/LTER study site. The collected papers will be published as a symposium volume in the August 1989 issue of the Virginia Journal of Science. H. VCR/LTER Planning Session 1989 -- We held an integrated review and planning session on Thursday, May 4. VCR/LTER Program 1989 Information and Planning Meeting Program May 4, 1989 Thursday 9:00-12:00 - Presentation of sub-project research plans by individual PI's. Program Overview- Dueser (9:00-9:15) Environmental Context- Dolan (9:15-9:30) Research Approach- Shugart (9:30-9:45) Coffee Break - (9:45-10:15) Topical Reports PROCESSES Primary Production -Odum (10:15-10:30) Decomposition/Mineralization- Blum (10:30-10:45) Trophic Structure/Carbon Flow- Mills (10:45-11:00) Climatology/Geomorphology- Hayden (11:00-11:15) Holocene sedimentation- Oertel (11:15-11:30) Discussion - (11:30-12:00) 12:00-1:30 - Lunch Break 1:30-5:30 - Afternoon Presentations LANDSCAPE Biogeography- Dueser (1:30-1:45) Nutrient distributions- Zieman (1:45-2:00) Marsh geomorphology/hydrodynamics- Nuttle (2:00-2:15) Plant population dynamics - Jon Evans (2:15-2:30) Terrestrial belowground production- Frank Day (2:30-2:45) Terrestrial production and plant physiology- Don Young (2:45-3:00) 3:00-3:30 - Coffee Break MONITORING AND DATA MANAGEMENT- Nuttle and Porter (3:30-3:45) MODELLING Disturbance regimes- Fahrig (3:45- 4:00) Life-form modeling- Shugart (4:00- 4:15) Summary - Dueser (4:00-4:15) Discussion - (4:15-5:30) I. VCR/LTER Information Meeting 1989 -- Our first meeting with the outside advisory committee is tentatively scheduled for September, 1989. Dr. Robert Harris has resigned from the advisory committee because of the press of business in his new position at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Jerry Franklin, chairman of the LTER Coordinating Committee, has accepted our invitation to join the advisory committee beginning next fall. V. Research Activities for 1989 (FY2) and Beyond Thirty-three high-priority projects were identified for initiation during FY1/2. Several of these projects, particularly those involving the acquisition of existing data sets and photography, were essentially complete by the end of FY2. Many of the FY1/2 field projects were designed to produce one-time survey data on basic ecosystem characteristics (e.g., spatial variability in soil organic matter and soil nutrient pools) for which little or no site-specific information was available. Much of the field research effort during FY1/2 was devoted to designing, perfecting and implementing sampling methods appropriate to long-term studies. The PIs have corresponded extensively with PIs from other LTER and lter sites, to discuss sampling philosophies, procedures and pitfalls. Most of the FY1 field research projects continued into or through FY2, and several will continue into FY3. Current progress reports are attached below as Appendix 1. Major new initiatives planned for the remainder of FY2 and FY3 include the stable isotope, food chain and microevolution/ population genetics studies outlined in the original proposal. The goals of new FY3 projects are attached below as Appendix 2. VI. FY3 Budget Justification The FY3 budget includes funding for 85% of one month of summer salary for each PI ($47,000), and staff funding for four post-doctoral research associates, a site manager and a full-time secretary/ bookkeeper ($99,000). Based on past experience, much of the funding budgeted for PI salaries almost certainly will be converted to support for technicians and collaborating scientists. Approximately, $47,000 is budgeted for student support during FY3. The students for whom this support is requested also have been awarded approximately $40,000 in U.Va. support for academic year 1989-90, in fellowships and teaching assistantships. Only $15,000 is requested for equipment acquisition during FY3. Items that have been identified for purchase include a new (replacement) small outboard motor, a personal computer for use by the post-doctoral research associates, a laser printer for the Program office, and partial support for the acquisition of additional meteorological instrumentation for the VCR/LTER site. Funding is requested for the final year of the subcontract to Dr. George F. Oertel of Old Dominion University ($30,000). Approximately $20,000 in University matching money will be available to the VCR/LTER Program during FY3. APPENDIX 1 VCR/LTER Project Progress Reports for FY1/2 APPENDIX 2 VCR/LTER Project Descriptions for FY2/3