---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU): ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY OF A TEMPERATE GRASSLAND
LOCATION: Kansas State University and Konza Prairie Biological Station, Manhattan, Kansas. PARTICIPATION DATES: The 10-week summer program will run from May 26, 2007 to August 4, 2007. Extended dates are possible if participants are available before or after the regular program period. RESEARCH THEME: Ecological studies in the REU Site program will examine the roles of fire, grazing and climatic variability as interacting environmental factors that shape the structure and function of terrestrial and aquatic habitats in mesic grasslands. Studies in evolutionary ecology will include studies of coevolution between plants and fungal symbionts, evolution of life history strategies in grassland organisms, and their potential evolutionary responses to global environmental change. Conservation issues are emphasized because tallgrass prairie is an endangered ecosystem that have been heavily impacted by habitat destruction and changing land use practices. REU student projects can be conducted at Konza Prairie Biological Station or at nearby sites, such as the Kansas River. Konza Prairie is a 3,487 ha tallgrass prairie preserve that is managed for ecological research by the Division of Biology. It has been a core site in the NSF funded Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network since 1981. The research site is subdivided into 60 experimental units (mean size = 60 ha) that are subjected to different combinations of prescribed burning (burned at 1, 2, 4, 10 or 20 year intervals) and grazing (ungrazed, grazed by domestic cattle, or grazed by native bison). Many of the experimental treatments have long-term data that provide an excellent context for student projects. The natural history of Konza Prairie is also well known, with annotated species lists for vascular plants, butterflies, grasshoppers, birds, and mammals. BENEFITS: Students will have the opportunity to conduct independent ecological research projects under the guidance of experienced researchers working in grassland ecology and conservation biology. Students will receive a $4,000 summer stipend for the 10-week program, accommodation in furnished housing, access to campus resources, and credit for a 3-credit college course in Grassland Ecology. Tuition and book costs will be covered by the REU program. ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and returning to their studies in Fall 2007. Students should be in good physical condition and possess a valid driver's license. A major goal of the REU Program at K-State is to provide research opportunities for students who have had limited exposure to independent research at their home institution. We welcome applications from students attending 4-year colleges, students that are the first member of their family to attend college, non-traditional students returning to school, and students from ethnic groups under-represented in the sciences. APPLICATION & DEADLINE: For application forms and more information on the REU program at K-State, please visit www.ksu.edu/bsanderc/reu. Applications should be submitted before the deadline of March 1, 2007. We anticipate offering 8 to 10 internships in Summer 2007. CONTACT: Application materials may be submitted by regular mail, e-mail or by fax to Dr. Gail W.T. Wilson, REU Program Coordinator, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4901, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED], phone (785) 532-2892. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
