Dear Investigators, The U.S. Department of Energy=B9s Program for Ecosystem Research has issued a solicitation for new experimental research to develop a better scientific understanding of potential effects of climatic change on U.S. terrestrial ecosystems and their component organisms. Research should focus on the following question, directed at terrestrial vascular plants or animals in the United States:=20 > Do temperature increases projected by coupled atmosphere-ocean general > circulation models for the coming 100 years have the potential to affect = the > abundance and/or geographic distribution of plant or animal species in th= e > United States, and if so, to what extent? Research should be based on experimental manipulations of temperature in th= e field and/or the laboratory and directed at understanding cause-and-effect relationships between temperature change and the abundance and/or geographi= c distribution of terrestrial vascular plants or animals in the United States= . Proposed research should not rely on correlations between presently observe= d temperature gradients or changes and the observed abundance or distribution of plant or animal species. High risk research having the potential to rapidly advance the field is encouraged.
A required preapplication is due January 5, 2007. A copy of the full solicitation can also be accessed and downloade via http://per.ornl.gov/PERsolicitations.html. Paul J. Hanson, Ph.D., PER Chief Scientist Environmental Sciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Bethel Valley Road, Building 1062 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6422 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 1-865-574-5361 Fax: 1-865-576-9939
