Vehicle for large-scale field experiments and surveys

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Access to a reliable vehicle is an essential requirement for biologists engaged in field research. This NSERC RTI proposal requests funding for a Toyota Sienna CE minivan to be shared between two research programs. One program, headed by Marcel Dorken, involves large-scale field experiments and the sampling of populations across substantial geographic distances. The goals of this research program are to investigate the evolution and ecology of plant populations with a specific focus on evolutionary transitions between hermaphroditism and dioecy, one of the most common evolutionary transitions in the flowering plants. The second research program, headed by Gary Burness, seeks to understand how energy metabolism influences life-history strategies and reproductive success in wild birds. Current research is investigating whether adult birds adjust sex ratios of their offspring when under stress, and whether adults allocate energy differently to sons versus daughters (given that sons are often energetically more costly to rear). Both of these research programs require a vehicle with flexible interior space for (a) the transport of research teams and their equipment, and (b) large numbers of plant and tissue samples. The proposed model is the only vehicle that combines a flexible interior space with low operating costs (including the highest fuel efficiency and reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power in its class), the power to tow a trailer, 5-star safety ratings and a comprehensive warranty. Sharing the vehicle between the Dorken and Burness labs will maximize its use over the course of a year. The Dorken lab conducts the majority of field experimentation and population sampling in the summer and autumn. The Burness lab conducts its research on avian energetics in the spring and early summer. By removing the need to rent large vehicles for several months, a field vehicle will result in substantial savings to the Dorken and Burness operating grants, and will pay for itself within 4 years. Over the course of an expected 15-year life span, it will save $125,000 in research funds.