Award Abstract #0709581
CNH: Integration of Human Choice into Models of Biogeochemical Cycling in Urban Ecosystems

NSF Org:	BCS Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences
Initial Amendment Date:	August 14, 2007
Latest Amendment Date:	August 14, 2007
Award Number:	0709581
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Thomas J. Baerwald BCS Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences SBE Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2007
Expires:	February 28, 2010 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$550000
Investigator(s):	Lawrence Baker baker127@umn.edu (Principal Investigator) Sarah Hobbie (Co-Principal Investigator) Kristen Nelson (Co-Principal Investigator) Joseph McFadden (Co-Principal Investigator) Jennifer King (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 200 OAK ST SE MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455 612/624-5599
NSF Program(s):	BE: DYN COUPLED NATURAL-HUMAN
Field Application(s):	0116000 Human Subjects
Program Reference Code(s):	EGCH, 9278, 9198, 1691, 1689
Program Element Code(s):	1691

ABSTRACT

Despite the growing importance of cities as biogeochemical hotspots, little is known about factors influencing elemental fluxes through individual households, even though the aggregate consumption by households likely has a substantial effect on fluxes of major elements like carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) that have implications for local, regional and global pollution. The overall goal of this interdisciplinary research project is to couple human behavior with flows of macroelements (C, N, and P) through households. The investigators will quantify total fluxes of C, N, and P through households in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and they will look to expand basic understanding of the factors that influence household choices regarding consumption and macroelement fluxes through households. The investigators hypothesize that element fluxes are highly variable and skewed, with relatively few households contributing disproportionately to overall fluxes. Another hypothesis to be tested posits that the magnitude of elemental fluxes through households can be predicted from knowledge of daily consumption choices along with long-term choices regarding household infrastructure, such as house size and lawn area. To test these hypotheses, 400 owner-occupied, single unit households in Ramsey County will be randomly selected to cover a range of household characteristics. These households will be studied using an intensive mail survey, a landscape inventory, and homeowner energy bills. Data will be entered into a previously developed Household Flux Calculator (HFC) model to generate fluxes of C, N, and P. Survey data will additionally be used to link element fluxes with factors related to human choices like attitudes, norms, perceived control, and demographic factors.

This project is expected to integrate human choice and biophysical characteristics into a model of household biogeochemistry using a transdisciplinary approach that integrates biophysical and social research approaches. The project will provide research opportunities for post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduate students. By incorporating the HFC directly into classroom education, it will allow students to explore hypotheses regarding impacts of consumption. In addition, project outcomes will be used to help develop a new paradigm for pollution control, one based on source reduction and information feedback loops to guide adaptive management. This project is supported by an award resulting from the NSF competition focusing on the Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

Baker, L., B. Wilson, D. Fulton and B. Horgan.. "Disproportionality as a framework to target nutrient reduction from urban landscapes," Cities and the Environment, v.1, 2008, p. article 7.

Baker, L., T. Brazel, L. Byrne, M. Grove, K. Hill, K. Nelson, v. Shandes, and J. Walker. "Symposium: effect of human choices on characteristics of human ecosystems," Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, v.October, 2007, p. 404.

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