The University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves
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The University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves A HALF CENTURY OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FIELD STATION AND ECOLOGICAL RESERVES IS TO FOSTER SCHOLARLY RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND SCIENCE-BASED STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES. CONTENTS From the Director 1 Overview 2 Robinson Tract 36 Research Management Plan 7 Geohydrologic Experimental and Monitoring Site 37 Summaries of Tracts 9 Hall Nature Reserve 38 Research 13 Breidenthal Biological Reserve 39 Rice Woodland 41 Land Management and Stewardship 21 Wall Woods 41 Teaching and Outreach 22 Fitch Natural History Reservation 42 Research Support 24 University of Kansas Support, Affiliate Administration 24 Programs, and Other Resources 45 Global Perspective 25 Organizational Chart 47 Tracts and Facilities 26 Resident Faculty and Staff Investigators 48 Nelson Environmental Study Area 26 Externally Funded Research: 1985–2000 52 Frank B. Cross Reservoir 29 Kansas Aquatic Mesocosm Program 30 Theses and Dissertations: 1949–2000 54 Biotic Succession/Habitat Publications: 1949–2000 58 Fragmentation Facility 32 Credits 68 Rockefeller Experimental Tract 34 From the Director The University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves Woods, which was designated in 1980 as a National Natural Landmark, (KSR) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. It seems fitting at this time and provides opportunities to study native plants and animals within a to summarize the growth and development of the field station during its minimally disturbed setting. first half century, and to recognize the contributions of the many dedicated The 44-hectare (108-acre) Robinson Tract, another portion of the people whose efforts have produced a rich tradition of research, education original farm of Governor Robinson, was added in 1970 and in addition to and stewardship. This publication chronicles the achievements at KSR providing woodlands and grasslands for teaching and research, also that now serve as the foundation for even greater work in the future. provides natural wetlands and wetlands restored from previous distur- KSR began formally in 1947 when a 239-hectare (590-acre) parcel of bances. The 250-hectare (618-acre) John H. Nelson Environmental Study land, which was the former farm of the first governor of Kansas, was Area (NESA) was secured in 1970, largely through a gift from the former dedicated as a nature preserve and field station. KSR now consists of 726 dean of the graduate school, John H. Nelson and his wife Kathryn, to hectares (nearly 1800 acres) of native and reseeded tallgrass prairie, provide a diverse number of habitat types for short- and long-term forests of different ages, natural and reconstructed wetlands, a small ecological studies where habitats are purposely manipulated. This area reservoir, a variety of habitats used for experimental manipulation, supports major ecological research, including a long-term National Science including managed grasslands and 100 experimental ponds, two research Foundation project evaluating the impact of habitat fragmentation on plant laboratories, and other support facilities. KSR is strategically located for and animal communities. An experimental pond array at NESA is used to ecological research and teaching in a natural transition zone between the study the effects of various disturbances on aquatic ecosystems and a 4.5- eastern deciduous forest and the tallgrass prairie of North America. The hectare (11-acre) reservoir (with protected watershed) serves as a model principal goal of KSR is to support scholarly research, environmental aquatic system for studying natural processes in regional habitats. education, and science-based stewardship of natural resources at the In 1999, the 47-hectare (116-acre) Hall Nature Reserve composed of University of Kansas (KU). several habitat types was added through the generosity of Hubert Hub The scientific and teaching contributions from KSR during the past Hall and Kathleen McBride Hall on behalf of the Hall Family. Hub Halls 50 years, as reviewed in this document, are a major source of pride for all father, E. Raymond Hall, former director of the Kansas University Natural of us. To date faculty, staff, and students working at KSR have produced History Museum, led the successful efforts to establish the FNHR in 1947. more than 700 publications with 154 students completing advanced degree The Hall Nature Reserve will be used for studies of the natural recovery requirements based on research at KSR. Since 1985 more than 75 processes associated with new approaches to land restoration. Future externally funded projects totaling $11 million have been completed additions to KSR in the surrounding area or across the State of Kansas will utilizing KSR facilities. Currently, more than 40 faculty and staff from continue to expand the available research and teaching opportunities. KU and other institutions are involved in a variety of aquatic and KSR is administered by the Kansas Biological Survey, a research unit terrestrial research programs conducted at KSR. More than 1000 students of the University of Kansas. KSR benefits from the many resources from KU, area colleges, and public schools visit KSR annually as part of available at the University of Kansas, and from efforts of the Kansas educational and outreach programs. KSR has become an important University Endowment Association. Work is in progress to include KSR in resource for supporting field-based ecological research and teaching at the the development of an Institute for Earth and Ecosystem Science at KU. University of Kansas. The principal role for the Institute will be to conduct research on the Many individuals and organizations have contributed to the growth complex issues associated with natural resources, water and air quality, and success of KSR. With the initial contribution from Dr. Charles land use, and the impacts of global climate change by facilitating Robinson, first governor of Kansas, and his wife Sara, the 239-hectare interdisciplinary interactions among investigators. In the future KSR will Fitch Natural History Reservation (FNHR) has been the site of numerous continue to play a key role in scholarly research, environmental education, studies, including the changes of plant and animal communities as they and science-based stewardship of natural resources at the University of have undergone succession from the former agricultural landscape. Kansas. Professor Henry S. Fitch, for whom the area is named, began his work at the site in 1948 and has conducted research and teaching on the area for more than 50 years. A natural history trail through many of the different habitats at FNHR is supported by on-site educational materials and is open to the public. In 1956, a 65-hectare (160-acre) farm adjacent to the FNHR For the University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves, consisting of native tallgrass prairie and agricultural land was added through a grant from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. A portion of the site was reseeded to tallgrass prairie in a long-term study evaluating land manage- ment practices on grassland. From 1965-1974, with generous donations from the Rice Foundation, the Breidenthal Family, and Roy and Eleanor Wall, KSR acquired 81 hectares (200 acres) of remnant eastern deciduous forest 16 kilometers (10 Edward A. Martinko, Director miles) south of FNHR. This forest is within an area known as the Baldwin Kansas Biological Survey 1 Overview University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves (KSR) Established in 1947, KSR is the biological field station of the University of Kansas (KU). During the last half century the University of The KSR field station is composed broadly of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves three elements: land, people, and information. The (KSR) has grown and evolved in scope of land 726 hectares (about 1800 acres) in eight research, breadth of educational offerings, and tracts includes diverse habitats and specialized diversity of ecosystems preserved. However, the research facilities. The prairies, forests, wetlands, mission of KSR ecological research, environ- ponds, laboratories, gardens, and large-scale field mental education, and stewardship of natural studies on KSR lands provide the platform for resources has remained a constant guiding research and education programs. principle. 2 University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves Scientists, students, teachers, managers, There is a synergy within this triumvirate administrators, and friends are the human element land, people, and information that propels the of KSR. The time, talent, and creative energy of research and education mission at KSR. Scientists this diverse group provide the intellectual foci for at KSR conduct research of fundamental impor- extraordinary programs of research and environ- tance to Kansas, the Great Plains, and our nation. mental education. Because environmental education is a key to our Information is the third component of KSR. future, the educational opportunities KSR affords Information is the foundation upon which we to hundreds of students each year is increasingly advance science confirming past findings and important. exploring new ideas. Results from previous research, data from ongoing studies, and archives Habitats such as biological specimens, samples, and Northeast Kansas is situated in the transition photographs provide the baseline for research. zone (ecotone) between eastern deciduous forest to the east