Women in prairie with wildflowers

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research

Our vision: To lead scientific discovery that fosters broad appreciation of the vital interactions between humans and the environment.

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Research programs and services

People wearing hats working in field

Terrestrial ecosystems

Our group of labs focusing on terrestrial ecosystems research
Terrestrial ecosystems labs
Two people standing in a stream bed

Aquatic ecosystems

Our group of labs focusing on aquatic ecosystems research
Aquatic ecosystems labs
Portion of map of eastern Kansas

Geospatial research

Environmental and ag applications of remote sensing technology, with interactive maps
KARS Geoplatform website

Research programs and services line 2

Five people on boat on lake

Aquatic assessment

Our group of labs focusing on the health of our region's streams and reservoirs
Aquatic assessment labs
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Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory

The Kansas representative for NatureServe, which tracks North American biodiversity
Heritage Inventory information
Monarch butterflies on shrub

Monarch Watch

KU's internationally known research, education and monarch butterfly tracking program
Monarch Watch website
Aerial view of greenhouses

The KU Field Station

In addition to our focus on terrestrial, aquatic and geospatial research, we manage the University's field station. Founded in 1947, the KU Field Station has grown to 3,700 acres across three sites and is open to researchers everywhere. Just 20 minutes from main campus, the 1,800-acre core research area is open to the entire KU community for study in any subject.

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Two monarch butterflies on green shrubs

Help us take Monarch Watch into the future

We're excited to announce the new position of the Monarch Watch Endowed Directorship & Professorship at the University of Kansas. This will be a split appointment between the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research and the Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Please share this information as part of our broad search. Review of applications begins Dec. 1.

Complete position description
Wildflowers in meadow

2021 Annual Report

Our resilient research community began to meet again, with more creative ways to connect, a higher proposal success rate, and an increase in funding for new awards. Through our report, we share statistics, stories and photos.

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Research highlights

99
We're a busy and diverse group of 24 faculty scientists, research faculty and other researchers serving as principal investigators in ongoing grant-funded projects—along with six postdoctoral researchers, 22 research staff and KU Field Station staff members, three Monarch Watch staff members, an administrative staff of four, and about 40 students working in our labs each semester.
72
That's the average number of sponsored research projects conducted by our scientists each year. The National Science Foundation is consistently our largest grantor. State funding is used to study many issues related to water quality and quantity, as well as mapping and quantifying habitats across Kansas. Other notable funding sources are industry and nonprofit foundations.
3,700
That's the total acreage of the KU Field Station across three sites here in the prairie-forest ecotone. Our core research and operations area contains diverse natural and managed habitats and a wealth of centralized research facilities and support. It's also a research and teaching resource for the entire KU community across the sciences, arts, humanities and professional schools.
70
That's the average number of peer-reviewed publications we produce each year. Postdoctoral researchers and graduate students are involved in much of the research reported in these publications. In addition, we have published a total of more than 200 Kansas Biological Survey reports on research of interest to the state of Kansas, and we give many interviews to local and national media.

Friday Ecology Seminars

We host weekly seminars — open to the public via Zoom — during the spring and fall terms. Join the mailing list for notifications and reminders of upcoming seminars. See our current schedule and visit our YouTube channel for video recordings of talks.

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Upcoming & previous talks

Quick links, frequent contacts & service centers

News

Kansas scientists are testing jacuzzi-like water jets to save a reservoir

All Things Considered aired this version of a recent Kansas News Service story on silted-in reservoirs, water injection dredging at Tuttle Creek, and concerns about the plan.

KU researchers launch new Kansas ecosystems online teaching tool

Dana Peterson hopes the new ArcGIS StoryMap, "Mapping Kansas Ecosystems," will draw attention to the wide range of landscapes across the state — and serve as an online resource in classrooms, libraries and homes, for all ages.

Chip Taylor holding monarch butterfly
Couple establishes professorship in support of Monarch Watch with $1.4M gift, encourages others to support the cause

Orley “Chip” Taylor, KU professor emeritus of ecology & evolutionary biology, and his wife, Toni, have made a $1.4 million gift to establish the Chip and Toni Taylor Professorship in support of Monarch Watch.

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Events