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The University of Kansas Field Station is dedicated to field-based environmental research and education. The Field Station is located within the transition zone (ecotone) between the eastern deciduous forest and tallgrass prairie biomes. Faculty, students, and others use the 1,375 ha (3,400 acres) of diverse native and managed habitats, experimental systems, support facilities, and longterm databases to undertake an outstanding array of scholarly activities. The Field Station is available to any qualified person or group whose research, teaching, or conservation interests are compatible with our mission. Please contact us!
Station Highlights
Algal Biofuel Research
KU
scientists are exploring how to use domestic wastewater to turn algae into
a biofuel that could power cars, trucks, and airplanes. The multi-disciplinary
"Feedstock to Tailpipe" research program at KU considers all steps
in the process -- from algal biomass production, to biomass harvesting, to
biofuel production and testing. the algal production team is composed of Dr.
Belinda Sturm (Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering)
and Drs. Val Smith and Jerry deNoyelles (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology), who are using mesocosms located at the KU Field Station and at a
wastewater treatment plan to study the ecological and environmental factors
that control algal growth. Dr. Sharon Billings (Department of Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology) is another team member, and her research focuses on
landscape-level implications of algal biofuel production and combustion. Learn
more about this exciting bioenergy project at these two web sites:
"Feedstock
to Tailpipe" profile KU
Transportation Research Institute project
News and Events
KU Field Station
Newsletter
The current
issue of the Field Station newsletter, News and Notes, can be viewed
here.
To view archived copies, click
here.
New Weather Station
A new automated weather station has been installed at the Field Station
as part of both national and state climatological networks. The data serve
broad needs, in addition to supporting the many researchers at the Field Station.
Read more about this initiative in the Kansas Water Office newsletter, HydroGram.
Nature Trails
There are a number of self-guided nature trails available at the
Field Station. Please see the
attached map for more information.
Small Grants
Program
Since 2003, the University of Kansas Field Station has made available a number
of small grants ($300-$500) each year to help support undergraduate and graduate
student research at the field station during the summer. We encourage
a diversity of research projects--not only ecological studies but projects
in history, engineering, geology, geography, and other areas may be funded. Details
of the 2012 Program will be posted here when available.
Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology Department
Weekly seminars are held on Tuesdays with
special seminars at other times.
