Enhancement of Research Capacity for Konza Prairie Research Natural Area - Phase II

康扎草原研究自然区（KPRNA）面积3487公顷。高草草原保护区位于堪萨斯州立大学校园以南15公里处，归大自然保护协会所有，由生物系管理。超过80个项目，涉及校园内的14个部门和5个学院，以及来自校外的数十名研究人员，正在这里进行，目前的校外资金近600万美元。目前的设施包括一个大型的石头牧场房屋和谷仓，一个小型实验室，30公里的围栏，17公里的养护砾石路，16.4公里的野牛围栏和野牛处理设施，以及用于试验性烧伤治疗的消防管理设备（需要61公里的养护消防装置）。超过90%的研究都围绕着野牛或火的实验操作，或者谷仓阁楼上5000平方英尺的行为研究设施展开。在过去十年中，对KPRNA的研究有了显著的增长，目前的设施已经达到了该站点的承载能力。因此，科学研究院开始了3阶段开发计划，其中包括：1)制定长期总体规划（Master plan）； 2)稳定和更新现有设施和设备；3)建设新的实验室和访问科学家宿舍。这个提案是为了完成第二阶段，具体来说，是建造新的野牛处理设施，提升我们的消防管理能力，并翻新现有的行为研究空间。新设施可有效及安全地处理野牛，而消防管理设备可加强我们进行指定焚烧和扑灭不必要的火灾的能力。行为研究设施将进行翻新，为阁楼和新地板提供新的支撑柱。与此同时，配套资金将用于升级现场的其他设备和设施，特别是石屋，它被科学家用作办公室、睡眠区和会议区。第二阶段的完成对于提高研究能力，并允许进入下一个开发和生产力水平至关重要。

Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (KPRNA) is a 3,487 ha. tallgrass prairie preserve 15km south of the Kansas State University campus that is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by the Division of Biology. Over 80 projects, involving 14 Departments and 5 colleges on campus and dozens of researchers from off campus, are being conducted on the site, with current extramural funding of almost $6,000,000. Current facilities include a large stone ranch house and barn, a small laboratory, 30 km of fencing, 17 km of maintained gravel roads, a 16.4 km bison enclosures and bison handling facility, and fire management equipment for the experimental burn treatments imposed on the site (which requires 61 km of maintained fire guards). Over 90% of the research on the site resolves around the bison or fire experimental manipulations, or the 5,000 ft2 behavioral research facility in the loft of the barn. Research on KPRNA has grown significantly in the last decade and the site has reached its carrying capacity with the current facilities. Therefore, KPRNA has embarked on a three phase development plan that includes I) producing a long range Master Plan, II) stabilizing and renovating the existing facilities and equipment, and III) constructing a new laboratory and living quarters for visiting scientists. This proposal is to complete Phase II - specifically, to construct new bison handling facilities, upgrade our fire management capabilities, and to renovate an existing behavioral research space. The new facilities will allow effective and safe handling of the bison, and the fire management equipment will enhance our ability to conduct prescribed burns and fight unwanted fires. The behavioral research facility will be renovated with new support columns for the loft and new flooring. Concurrently, matching funds will be used to upgrade the other equipment and facilities on the site, especially the stone house, which is used by scientists for offices, sleeping qu arters, and meeting areas. The completion of Phase II is critical to increasing research capacity, and allowing a move to the next level of development and productivity.