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
Meadow flowers with woman in distance

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 3,200 acres across three sites and is open to researchers everywhere. Just 20 minutes from main campus, the 1,650-acre core research area is open to the entire KU community for study in any subject.

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Young researchers gathered around a table of plants in greenhouse

Donate

Want to support ecological research, teaching and outreach? Make an unrestricted donation or choose your area of giving. Give online or get in touch.

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Research highlights

100
That's how many we are. We're a busy and diverse group of faculty scientists, research faculty and other researchers serving as principal investigators in ongoing grant-funded projects. Our group also includes postdoctoral researchers, lab managers, staff operating the KU Field Station and Monarch Watch, and administrative staff members. About 40 students work 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.
3,200
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.
Fall wildflowers and grasses

Annual Report 2022

In 2022, our researchers rebounded with more than $15M in active awards, growth in our research community, expansion of our facilities, a significant rise in our outreach activities, and planning to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). Through our report, we share statistics, stories and photos.

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Friday Ecology Seminars

We host weekly seminars, open to the public, 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

Kristen Baum will lead Monarch Watch

Monarch Watch, an international program at the University of Kansas dedicated to the conservation and study of monarch butterflies, has a new director. Kristen Baum, well known for her work on monarchs and pollinators, began this week as director of Monarch Watch and as a senior scientist at the…

Monarch Watch on The Weather Channel

How do monarchs find their way to Mexico, and what effect does weather have? Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch answers those questions and more.

Person in yellow protective jacket and hardhat lighting leaves and underbrush on fire in woodland
Centuries-old forests in the Midwest are struggling. Fire can help save them

North American oak-hickory canopies are powerhouses for feeding wildlife. Without periodic understory fires, they wane.

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Stay up to date with our research & activities

Understanding Our Environment is a quarterly newsletter celebrating the discoveries and activities of the scientists, staff, students and colleagues of the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research—as well as happenings at the University of Kansas Field Station.
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Read previous issues Read previous issues
Prairie site with researchers in background

Monitoring Prairie Park prairie

In May 2023, four KU ecologists began a year-long study to monitor of the Prairie Park prairie remnant, following the accidental broadcast spraying there by the City of Lawrence. We will post updates on the project, along with photos, here.

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Events

Resources for our researchers, staff & students

The full page of resources includes information and contacts on a wide of variety of office procedures, as well as KU contacts. Two direct links are provided here to help you get contact information quickly in urgent situations.

Resources page