Planning a Biological and Geological Research Station in the Big Bend Region of Tex

中西部州立大学获得战略规划赠款，以发展Dalquest研究站，研究北方奇瓦瓦沙漠的生物和地质过去、模式、过程和现象。该项目将举办两个讲习班：一个在现场，一个在威奇托瀑布校园。该小组将包括来自广泛学科和专业的专家。他们将被要求向密歇根州立大学提供指导和书面建议，以便：（1）使命说明;（2）长期目标和里程碑，以衡量在以下方面取得的成功：（a）基础研究和研究培训需求;（B）数据管理系统和互联性;（c）样本文件;（d）所需的实验室空间和设备;（e）必要的支助设施;（f）通信和能源系统; Dalquest研究站是西得克萨斯州大弯地区一个1 200公顷的原始奇瓦瓦沙漠峡谷土地。该地点是偏远和未放牧的最后50年由国内有蹄类动物。它位于两条历史悠久的小径之间？科曼奇战争小道和奇瓦瓦州小道1996年，原址被捐赠给中西部州立大学（MSU）作为研究设施。密歇根州立大学的教师和他们的同事/学生于1999年开始对现代和化石类群进行初步的生物多样性调查，第一个地质/人类学营地于2005年在DRS举行。报道了几种新的蜘蛛和化石，以及一个新的蜘蛛科。

Midwestern State University is awarded a grant for strategic planning to develop the Dalquest Research Station for the study of biological and geological past, patterns, processes, and phenomena of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. The project will conduct two workshops: one on-site and one on-campus in Wichita Falls. The Panel will include experts from a broad array of disciplines and specialties. They will be asked to provide guidance and written recommendations to MSU for (1) a mission statement and (2) long-term goals and landmarks for gauging success in (a) basic research and research-training needs; (b) data management systems and interconnectivity; (c) specimen documentation; (d) required laboratory-space and equipment; (e) necessary support facilities; (f) communication and energy systems; (g) funding opportunities; and other issues that emerge.Dalquest Research Station (DRS) is a 1200 ha, pristine, Chihuahuan Desert canyon land in the Big Bend region of West Texas. The site is remote and ungrazed for the last 50 years by domestic ungulates. It lies close to and between two historic trails?the Comanche War Trail and the Chihuahua Trail. In 1996, the original site was donated to Midwestern State University (MSU) as a research facility. MSU purchased adjacent land to form DRS. MSU faculty and their colleagues/ students began preliminary biodiversity surveys of modern and fossil taxa in 1999, and the first geological/anthropological camp was held at DRS in 2005. Several new species of spiders and fossils and one new family of spiders have been reported.