Research Experience for Undergraduates in Grassland Ecology at Konza Prairie Research Natural Area

该奖项将支持每年10名本科生在堪萨斯州立大学的Konza草原研究自然区（KPRNA）/长期生态研究基地参与高草草原生态学的独立研究。 该地点的长期调查项目包括研究火灾和放牧对当地高草草原植被的影响。 为了促进这些变量的调查，所有的流域Konza草原已被分配到不同的燃烧制度和本地和国内的食草动物已被引入到一些流域。 KPRNA流域水平的操作提供了一个独特的机会，草原生态学的许多方面的研究。 目前，41名堪萨斯州立大学教师、32名访问科学家、29名研究生和15名本科生研究人员正在进行126个关于KPRNA的研究项目。 关于KPRNA的REU网站计划将包括几个组成部分，包括一个独立的研究项目，草原生态学研讨会/讨论课程，生物伦理学和生态学课程，以及参加国家科学会议。 每个REU学生将有一个教师导师，以及与居民研究生和研究助理接触。 KPNRA REU学生将与其他本科生谁是每年夏天带到校园互动，在其他程序的邀请，做其他科学学科的研究。 在夏季结束时，学生将口头介绍他们的研究成果，并准备出版的结果。 将有一个由学生和教师参与该计划的年度评估，以确保该REU计划继续提供优质的经验，所有参与者。 该奖项将促进个人的继续教育和培训，他们将成为下一代生态学基础研究人员的一部分。 它还将使公民了解环境科学的瓦里方面以及环境问题的管理和决策。

This award will support the participation of ten undergraduate students each year in independent research studies of tallgrass prairie ecology at the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (KPRNA)/ Long-Term Ecological Research Site of Kansas State University. Long-term subjects of investigation at the site include study of the impact of fire and grazing on native tallgrass prairie vegetation. To facilitation investigation of these variables, all watersheds on Konza Prairie have been assigned to different burn regimes and native and domestic grazers have been introduced to some watersheds. The watershed level manipulations on KPRNA offer a unique opportunity for the study of many aspects of prairie ecology. Currently, 41 Kansas State University faculty, 32 visiting scientists, 29 graduate students, and 15 undergraduate researchers are working on 126 research projects on KPRNA. The REU Sites Program on KPRNA will feature several components including an independent research project, a seminar/discussion course in grassland ecology, a course in bioethics and ecology, and a trip to a national scientific meeting. Each REU student will have a faculty mentor as well as contact with resident graduate students and research associates. KPNRA REU students will interact with other undergraduates who are brought to campus each summer, at the invitation of other programs, to do research in other scientific disciplines. At the conclusion of the summer, students will make an oral presentation of the results of their research and prepare the results for publication. There will be a yearly assessment of the program by student and faculty participants in order to insure that the REU program continues to provide a quality experience to all participants. This award will foster the continued education and training of individuals who will be part of the next generation of basic researchers in the ecology. It will also serve to produce citizens informed about vari ous aspects of environmental sciences and management and decision making in environmental issues.