Field Station Planning for the Ecological Research and Education Center, University of Kentucky

肯塔基大学获得了一笔赠款，将使其能够制定一个五年计划，充分利用其生态研究和教育中心(EREC)作为一个实地站。空间站位于蓝草生态区内，这是东部落叶森林的一个独特且鲜为人知的子集，没有其他野外空间站。该遗址的研究已有18年的历史，主要使用基于人工溪流、中观系统、池塘和鸟类的半场方法(田间复制的人工系统)。最近的一系列改进，包括提供优秀的室内研究和会议空间、新的研究举措和资金成功、迅速扩大用于课程作业的用途、生物外联举措的出现以及行政领导的任命，使现在是专注于外地站发展的理想时机。在与其他成功完成这项工作的人协商后，已经设计了一个规划程序，并招募了能够帮助指导这一努力的参与者。推进对本地早熟禾物种和系统的研究，同时进行实验并监测入侵物种和疾病的流行情况和影响，是EREC目前的研究重点。将收集和分析长期数据集，以使用统计时间序列分析来发现趋势。将开发模型来预测和解释数据中的模式。入侵物种的半实地研究将补充实地研究和实验室分析。规划过程本身--由这笔赠款直接资助的活动--将确定监测、技术、通信和设施方面的改进，这些改进可能被证明对推进这项工作以及吸引来自英国和其他机构的更多研究合作者最有益。这将通过包括当地人员和外部专家在内的两个研讨会以及与多个利益相关者团体的持续磋商来实现。EREC的一个关键举措是继续扩大本科教学、STEM教师培训和社区外联，来自教师、研究生、本科生和英国数学与科学教育改革创新伙伴关系的合作者做出了贡献。REU网站和生物推广计划正在极大地扩大这一教育角色的覆盖范围。重点是增加对生态科学的理解--它的发现、应用和新的前沿--让所有先前接触到这些发展的个人都能理解。我们将利用机会帮助我们的公民邻居将其中一些付诸实践。规划过程将有助于确定如何将研究、教学和推广相结合，以达到最佳效果。欲了解更多有关该中心的信息，请访问网站：http://darwin.uky.edu/~EREC/.

The University of Kentucky is awarded a grant that will enable the development of a 5-year plan for the full utilization of its Ecological Research and Education Center (EREC) as a field station. The station is situated within the Bluegrass Ecoregion, a unique and poorly understood subset of the Eastern Deciduous Forest, where no other field stations are located. There is an 18-year history of research on the site, dominated by the use of semi-field approaches (replicated artificial systems in the field), based on artificial streams, mesocosms, ponds, and aviaries. A series of recent improvements, including the availability of excellent indoor research and meeting space, new research initiatives and funding successes, rapidly expanding use for coursework, the emergence of the BIOTIC outreach initiative, and the appointment of administrative leadership make this an ideal time to focus on field station development. In consultation with others who have done this successfully, a planning process has been designed, and participants who can help guide this effort have been recruited.Advancing the study of native Bluegrass species and systems, while conducting experiments and monitoring the prevalence and impact of invasive species and diseases, is the current focus of research at EREC. Long-term data sets are to be gathered and analyzed to detect trends using statistical time-series analyses. Models will be developed to predict and explain patterns in the data. Semi-field studies of invasive species will complement field studies and laboratory analyses. The planning process itself-the activity directly funded by this grant-will identify the improvements in monitoring, technology, communications, and facilities likely to prove most beneficial for advancing this work and for attracting additional research collaborators from UK and other institutions. This will be accomplished through two workshops, including both local personnel and outside experts, and ongoing consultation with multiple stakeholder groups.A key initiative at EREC is the continuing expansion of undergraduate teaching, STEM teacher training, and community outreach, with contributions from faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and collaborators in UK's Partnership for Innovation in Mathematics and Science Education Reform. The REU Site and BIOTIC outreach programs are greatly expanding the reach of this educational role. The focus is on increasing the understanding of ecological science--its findings, applications, and new frontiers--to individuals across the full range of previous exposure to these developments. Opportunities will be exploited to help our citizen neighbors put some of them into practice. The planning process will help determine how to integrate research, teaching, and outreach to best effect. For more information about the center, please visit the website at http://darwin.uky.edu/~EREC/.