Brazil Project
Megan McGroddy, Lars Hedin

In conjunction with a group headed up by Dr. Emilio Moran of Indiana University and Dr. Eduardo Brondizio of EMBRAPA we are looking at nutrient exports in first- order streams across the central Amazon Basin. Samples are being collected from a wide variety of soils, parent materials and forests throughout the year to determine the role of these factors in controlling nutrient outputs. We will be linking our data to geomorphic and vegetative characteristics as well as satellite imagery in order to examine loss patterns on a Basin-wide scale. These data will also be used to compare macroscopic patterns in temperate and tropical forests leading, hopefully, to a greater understanding of the fundamental controls on nutrient losses and nutrient cycles.