REU: Stable Isotopic Applications to Great Plains Ecology Paleoecology and Archeology

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This award will provide continuing support for a Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site at Augustana College. This project will support undergraduate participation in a focused research program which integrates the research activities of eight investigators, five from Augustana College, one from St. Olaf College, one from The Nature Conservancy and one from Black Hills State. The projects are integrated at the scientific level because of the common interests in prairie ecology and paleoecology and because aspects of each project benefit from the applications of the stable isotopes of C and N to the research methodology. This project will provide a coherent group and a unique methodology to approach paleoecological reconstructions in a geographic area of rich ecological resources. Ten students will study field and laboratory problems with a common focus. They will be expected to gain some mastery of the theoretical basis for their study as well as the experimental design and ultimate interpretation. Weekly seminars and workshops will review each project's theoretical basis and research design; enhance the student's library, laboratory and data handling research skills; and broaden their understanding of the related projects. The ten-week summer program will be followed by an academic year REU Symposium in which each student will present the interpreted results and conclusions and help develop the hypotheses and research designs for the on-going projects.