RESEARCH USE
Numerous research projects performed by faculty and students utilize the nature
preserves to conduct experiments, survey natural populations, and monitor
ecological fluctuations. Examples of past and current research include surveying
rare species for the Ohio Biological Survey, monitoring populations of garlic
mustard and studying its photosynthesis, collecting soil moisture data, conducting
field experiments on species colonization and extinction in ponds, searching
for fungi that degrade feathers, locating fossils in the Olentangy Shale,
surveying invertebrate and vertebrate parasites, monitoring agricultural
pollutants in Wildcat Creek, investigating wild ginger pollination, and studying
terrestrial salamanders and small mammals. Various student independent study
projects involve the Preserves, in addition to the student research at Kraus
Preserve, which is promoted by the Kraus Fellowships. An additional opportunity
for students is provided by the Student Assistantship Program (StAP), which
has offered students internships working on the maintenance and upkeep of
the preserves.
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