Award Abstract #0552930
REU Site: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of a Temperate Grassland

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	June 14, 2006
Latest Amendment Date:	August 13, 2008
Award Number:	0552930
Award Instrument:	Continuing grant
Program Manager:	Sally E. O'Connor DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	July 1, 2006
Expires:	June 30, 2009 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$199183
Investigator(s):	Brett Sandercock bsanderc@ksu.edu (Principal Investigator) Gail Wilson (Former Principal Investigator) Brett Sandercock (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Kansas State University 2 FAIRCHILD HALL MANHATTAN, KS 66506 785/532-6804
NSF Program(s):	RSCH EXPER FOR UNDERGRAD SITES
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	SMET, 9250, 9178, 9150
Program Element Code(s):	1139

ABSTRACT

The Kansas State University's (KSU) REU Site on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of a Temperate Grassland provides 8 undergraduate students each summer an exciting opportunity to conduct independent, field-based research projects on topics in conservation biology and ecology. The 10-week program has three components that contribute to the professional development of undergraduate participants: i) a weekly research seminar that educates students about the conservation issues related to grassland ecosystems, ii) an independent research project that trains students in field methods and experimental design, and iii) a research symposium that develops student presentation skills. Research activities of this REU Site are centered on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, a 3487 ha tallgrass prairie preserve. Konza Prairie is a key research site in the Long-term Ecological Research (LTER) Program and is internationally recognized for preserving unique biological resources, including species of conservation concern. The site is subdivided into 60 experimental units with different grazing (native bison or domestic cattle) and fire treatments (annual to 20 years). Additional resources for this REU site includes access to university facilities, a range of laboratory and field equipment for specialized ecological research, and mentors selected from a pool of experienced research scientists who are leaders in the fields of conservation and grassland ecology. Integration of the REU Site with the LTER program allows students to participate in new and ongoing field experiments and to utilize long-term data sets that provide context for summer projects. The theme of the program emphasizes applications of ecological knowledge to the preservation of the biota of the tallgrass prairie, and efforts that predict the effects of changing land-use patterns, invasive species and global change on economically valuable grasslands. This REU site welcomes applications from students of underrepresented groups (minority, first-generation or non-traditional), and students at smaller colleges where research opportunities may be limited. Prospective applicants are invited to obtain further information and application forms from the Program Coordinator (Gail Wilson, PH: 785-532-2892, EM: gwtw@ksu.edu) or by visiting the program website (http://www.ksu.edu/bsanderc/reu).

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Benson, E*. and D. C. Hartnett..  "The role of seed and vegetative reproduction in plant recruitment and demography in tallgrass prairie.,"  Plant Ecology,  v.187,  2006,  p. 163-177.

Blundell*, M.A., and B. Von Korff.  "Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) nesting at Konza Prairie Biological Station, Riley County, Kansas,"  Bulletin of the Kansas Ornithological Society,  v.59,  2008,  p. 21.

Dodds, W.K. and J.A. Nelson*.  "Re-defining the community: a species-based approach.,"  Oikos,  v.112,  2006,  p. 464-472.

Eitzmann*, J. L., A. S. Makinster, and C. P. Paukert..  "Distribution and growth of blue sucker in a Great Plains, USA river,"  Fisheries Management and Ecology,  v.14,  2007,  p. 255.

Franssen, N.R., K.B. Gido, C.S. Guy, J.A. Tripe, S.S. Shrank, T.R. Strakosh, K.N. Bertrand, C.M. Franssen*, K.L. Pitts*, and C.P. Paukert..  "Effects of floods on fish assemblages in an intermittent prairie stream.,"  Freshwater Biology,  v.51,  2006,  p. 2072-2086.

Franssen, N.R., K.B. Gido, C.S. Guy, J.A. Tripe, S.S. Shrank, T.R. Strakosh, K.N. Bertrand, C.M. Franssen*, K.L. Pitts*, and C.P. Paukert..  "Effects of floods on fish assemblages in an intermittent prairie stream.,"  Freshwater Biology,  v.51,  2006,  p. 2072-2086.

Loaiza*, V., J.L. Jonas and A. Joern.  "Does dietary-P affect feeding and performance in the mixed-feeding grasshopper (Acrididae) Melanoplus bivittattus?,"  Environmental Entomology,  v.37,  2008,  p. 333.

Ross*, B.E., A.W. Reed, R.L. Rehmeier, G.A. Kaufman and D.W. Kaufman..  "Effects of prairie vole runways on tallgrass prairie.,"  Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science,  v.110,  2007,  p. 100.

Sandercock, B.K., E.L. Hewett*, and K.L. Kosciuch.  "Effects of cowbird removals on brood parasitism and nest predation of a grassland songbird,"  The Auk,  v.125,  2008,  p. 820.

Schook*, D. M., M. D. Collins, W. E. Jensen, P. J. Williams*, N. E. Bader, and T. H. Parker.  "Geographic patterns of song similarity in the Dickcissel (Spiza americana).,"  Auk,  v.125,  2008,  p. 953.

Strakosh, T.R, K.B. Gido, C.S. Guy, and J. Eitzmann*..  "The response of water willow, Justicia americana, to different inundation and desiccation regimes.,"  North American Journal of Fisheries Management,  v.25,  2006,  p. 1476-1485.

Volk*, M.D., D.W. Kaufman, and G.A. Kaufman.  "Diurnal activity and habitat associations of white-tailed deer in tallgrass prairie of eastern Kansas,"  Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science,  v.110,  2007,  p. 145.


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