Grant: Strategic Projects - Group
Trent University
$173,000.00
Assessing the biogeochemical sensitivity of aquatic ecosystems to patterns of urbanized land use
FY 2009-10
Summary
Urban ponds are being created across Canada to hold and clean stormwater runoff before it moves downstream. This project will measure elemental budgets of urban pond ecosystems in two growing communities located in southern Ontario. We will examine how pond and catchment characteristics affect the input, storage, and output of key biogenic elements (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus). In addition, we will measure rate of biological activities and determine their effects on elemental storage in urban ponds. This research will thus determine the sensitivity of key biogeochemical processes of ponds to patterns of urbanization and will aid efforts aimed at enhancing the environmental quality of urban ecosystems. This project will provide urban planners and environmental consultants with a valuable assessment of urban pond biogeochemistry, its determinants, and its consequences. In addition, this work will determine the mechanistic links between watershed characteristics, hydrological inputs, and ecological processes in urban ponds that are important structural features of many developing communities in Canada.
Program
Strategic Projects - Group
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
364900-2008
Name nom
Frost, Paul
Department département
Biology
Organization id
32
Institution établissement
Trent University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2009
Competition year année de concours
2008
Award amount
173000
Program id
STPGP
Program nane en
Strategic Projects - Group
Program name fr
Projets stratégiques - De groupe
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1045
Committee name en
Strategic Projects Selection Panel - Environment
Committee name fr
Comité de sélection des projets stratégiques - Environnement
Area of application code
400
Area of application group en
Environment
Area of application group fr
Environnement
Area of application en
Environment
Area of application fr
Environnement
Research subject code
4702
Research subject group en
Evolution and ecology
Research subject group fr
Évolution et écologie
Research subject en
Aquatic ecology and limnology
Research subject fr
Écologie aquatique et limnologie
Partie
2
Nb partie
3
Application title
Assessing the biogeochemical sensitivity of aquatic ecosystems to patterns of urbanized land use
Keyword
NA
Application summary
Urban ponds are being created across Canada to hold and clean stormwater runoff before it moves downstream. This project will measure elemental budgets of urban pond ecosystems in two growing communities located in southern Ontario. We will examine how pond and catchment characteristics affect the input, storage, and output of key biogenic elements (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus). In addition, we will measure rate of biological activities and determine their effects on elemental storage in urban ponds. This research will thus determine the sensitivity of key biogeochemical processes of ponds to patterns of urbanization and will aid efforts aimed at enhancing the environmental quality of urban ecosystems. This project will provide urban planners and environmental consultants with a valuable assessment of urban pond biogeochemistry, its determinants, and its consequences. In addition, this work will determine the mechanistic links between watershed characteristics, hydrological inputs, and ecological processes in urban ponds that are important structural features of many developing communities in Canada.
