Date: 18 January 1995 From: a23111f@msumusic.bitnet (David S. White) THE HANCOCK BIOLOGICAL STATION ON KENTUCKY LAKE 1995 SUMMER SESSION Founded in 1966 through the efforts of Dr. Hunter Hancock, Murray State University's Hancock Biological Station on Kentucky Lake is an out-standing year-round facility that provides scientists with a base of operation for a wide variety of field research and presents students with opportunities for field-oriented classes, individualized instruction, independent research and close inter- actions with researchers. The Biological Station is located on the shores of Kentucky Lake in south-western Kentucky, sixteen miles from Murray, Kentucky, and within three hours drive of a number of major metropolitan areas including St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis, and Louisville. The region is diverse in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Southwestern Kentucky has one of the largest densities of major rivers and reservoirs of any region in the world. Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, ponds and streams are in close proximity. Kentucky Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States (187 miles long) and is joined by a canal to Lake Barkley; together they have 3700 miles of shoreline and 250,000 surface acres. Additional nearby areas for aquatic study include the Cumberland River, Tennessee River, Ohio River, Mississippi River, Reelfoot Lake and the cypress swamps of Murphy's Pond. The Station grounds contain over 70 acres of relatively little disturbed woodlands bounded by State and Federal lands, and we presently are in the planning stage for a number of long-term study plots. Scientists and students also have access to 172,500 acres of mixed mesophytic woodlands, old fields and grass-lands in Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Land-Between-the-Lakes including several experimental watersheds. Additional opportunities exist nearby for the study of environmental impacts of agriculture, strip mining, petrochemical processing, shipping and electricity generation. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Oak Ridge National Lab- oratory and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory are within a day's drive. There are ample opportunities for recreation at or near the Station including swimming, sailing, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, hiking and camping. Station administration Director David S. White Station Manager Dean Stutesman Laboratory Operations Karla Johnston Field Operations Gary Rice Coordinator Lisa Boren Main Phone Number (502) 474-2272 Fax Number (502) 474-0120 ADDRESS FOR STATION BUSINESS: Hancock Biological Station Murray State University Murray, KY 42071 SUMMER STUDENT ADDRESS: Hancock Biological Station Route 3, Box 288M Murray, KY 42071 ECOLOGICAL CONSORTIUM OF MID-AMERICA The Consortium (ECOMA) is a formally constituted group of educational institutions cooperatively utilizing the facilities of the Biological Station, the resources of the Land-Between-the- Lakes, and the Kentucky-Barkley Lake complex in carrying out educational, research, and service programs. Faculty from member institutions teach summer classes and use the station as a base of operation for field trips and research throughout the year. ECOMA offers a number of Fellowships each year to upperclassmen and graduate students from member institutions to participate in the summer program. ECOMA also provides limited funds for faculty investigators who wish to conduct research at the Station. Information on the fellowships and investigator funding can be obtained from each institution's representative to ECOMA or by contacting the Biological Station. Faculty from ECOMA member institutions hold a meeting at the Station in October of each year to discuss common research and teaching needs and goals. ECOMA member institutions are AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY BELLARMINE COLLEGE OLNEY CENTRAL COLLEGE GEORGETOWN COLLEGE MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY COMMONWEALTH CENTER FOR RESERVOIR RESEARCH The Center for Reservoir Research (CRR) was established by the Common-wealth of Kentucky to promote and con-duct research on basic and applied aspects of reservoir ecology. Among its objectives are the improvement in know-ledge needed to manage, protect, and preserve the environmental quality of reservoir resources, and the development of an atmosphere conducive to promoting new ideas and creativity in inter- and multi- disciplinary studies. The Station serves as one of the primary research facilities for the Center in conjunction with the Mid-America Remote Sensing Center (MARC) and the Chemical Services Laboratory (CSL). A long- term monitoring program was begun on Kentucky Lake in 1988 measuring a number of water chemistry characteristics, primary production, zooplankton, and phytoplankton at 17 stations every 16 days. These data coupled with satellite imagery and physiographic data form a geographic information base for reservoir research, land use, erosional, thermal, and other land- water interaction research. An extensive research and monitoring pro-gram and accompanying GIS on Ledbetter Creek Embayment was started in 1990 to provide added research opportunities. Several additional monitoring sites have been added through a grant from the U.S. EPA/Kentucky Division of Water. Monitoring program data are available for re-search and teaching. Contact the Director of the Station for further information. HBS/CRR faculty interests Dr. Leon Duobinis-Gray parasitology Dr. Harold Eversmeyer botany/mycology Dr. Thomas Kind remote sensing Dr. Gene Maddox x-ray fluorescence Dr. Timothy Johnston microbiology Dr. George Kipphut aquatic chemistry Dr. Robert Martin paleontology Dr. Martin Mitchell physiological ecology Dr. Burl Naugle hydrology Dr. David Owen metals/organics Dr. Cynthia Rebar mammalogy Dr. James Sickel freshwater mussels Dr. William Spencer botany/wetlands Dr. Tom Timmons fisheries Dr. Neil Weber resource management Dr. David S. White aquatic ecology Dr. Stephen White wildlife/ornithology Dr. C. D. Wilder herpetology EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGICAL RESERVE The Biological Station and the Land-Between-the-Lakes (LBL) have been designated as an Experimental Ecological Reserve by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Ecology. As an Experimental Ecological Reserve, the Station and LBL have been identified as an important natural system for long-term ecological research. Interaction among scientists is intended to develop collaborative and integrated research on the terrestrial and aquatic systems of the Station and LBL sites. LBL has been designated as a U.S. Man and the Biosphere reserve by UNESCO further enhancing the region's teaching and research resources. THE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT A modern 13,000 sq. ft. building built in 1972 contains research laboratories, classrooms, aquarium rooms, office space, dormitory rooms, dining room, computer room, and library. The Station provides an excellent base for year-round research in aquatic and terrestrial biology. Visiting scientists and graduate student investigators are encouraged to utilize the Station. Laboratory space, offices and a wide variety of equipment are available for research at the Station. There is a large covered dock on Kentucky Lake equipped with specimen holding and processing rooms. The Station also maintains three pontoon boats, nine workboats with motors and trailers, canoes, and the Surveyor I, a 23-foot SeaArk research vessel. HBS received a grant from the National Science Foundation for construction of new researcher cabins. We plan for three new cabins to be ready for use by June 1995. Equipment available for field research and teaching includes such items as a four-wheel drive vehicle, traps, various nets, water samplers, seines, portable fish shockers, camping equipment and field glasses. Laboratory equipment includes a JEOL scanning electron micro-scope, balances, teaching and research grade microscopes, spectrophotometers, organic carbon analyzers, CHNS/O analyzer, gas chromatograph, fluorometers, auto-analyzers, photometers, autoclave, water baths, incubators, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, liquid scintillation counter and facilities for radiotracer studies. Special research items may need to be supplied by individual investigators, and their availability should be determined ahead of time. Fees for the use of space, facilities, boats, and cabins for research are reasonable, and fee schedules may be obtained from the Station Director. COLLECTIONS Several outstanding collections of flora and fauna of western Kentucky are maintained by the Department of Biological Sciences. Over 19,000 plant specimens are available in the herbarium. The zoological museum contains more than 200 amphibians and reptiles and extensive collections of mammal skins and skulls. Fish collections are maintained at the Biological Station. RESEARCH SEMINAR SERIES Each summer the Station provides a research seminar series bringing in well-known guest speakers from around the country. Speakers not only keep faculty abreast of the latest developments in ecological and reservoir sciences but also interact with students, classes, and researchers from throughout the region. The series is sponsored by the Station, the Center for Reservoir Research, and ECOMA. SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Field courses in the summer session are designed to provide in- depth and concentrated study of biological topics. Because we attempt to keep courses small, enrollments are often limited and some courses fill quickly. Therefore, early application is encouraged. Students applying should indicate if they will be taking one or two courses and the first and second choices for each course, but all efforts will be made to place students in desired courses. A maximum of eight semester hours can be earned in the summer session. Students generally are expected to take two formal courses during the session or one formal course and up to four hours of directed independent research (BIO 493-494/693-694 or thesis credits). Students planning to take research credits must have made arrangements with and have approval of a summer or MSU faculty member prior to enrollment. Admissions: Graduates, under-graduates post-graduates, and others interested in field biology are encouraged to apply for admission to the summer program. Courses at the Hancock Biological Station are considered part of the summer session of Murray State University and may be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit. Undergraduates should have had at least two previous courses in college level biology. Students wishing to apply credits earned in Station courses toward a graduate degree at Murray State University must be admitted to the Graduate School prior to enrollment. Application forms for admission to the graduate program may be obtained from the Graduate Coordinator, Department of Biological Sciences, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky 42071. Students from universities other than Murray State planning to transfer credits for courses taken at the Station should obtain approval in advance from their home institutions. HOUSING As a match to a National Science Foundation grant for new researcher facilities, the College of Science has provided funds for construction of new student cabins and a washhouse. Housing is now available in the new cabins and the dormitory on a first come first serve basis at $3.00 per night. Meals are not provided, but student residents usually form a cooperative and prepare their own meals in the Station kitchen. Camping sites are available adjacent to the Station for those who wish to bring tents or trailers. Camping and fires are not allowed on the Station property. Lodging and board are available on the Murray State University campus. Further information on campus housing may be obtained by contacting the Biological Station Office or directly from the Housing Office, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or by calling (502) 762-2310. TUITION AND FEES Summer fellowships are available through the Ecological Consortium of Mid-America for students from member institutions. The Biological Station awards a limited number of summer fellowships for summer students. All awards are made on a competitive basis. Information on fellowships can be obtained by writing or calling the Station. Students living at the Station and willing to work 5 hours per week will have the lodging fee waived. Tuition and fees remain among the lowest of any biological station in the country. Credit hour fees are the same as for courses taken on campus. Students from the Tennessee counties of Obion, Weakley, Henry, and Stewart pay the same fees as Kentucky residents. Station housing fees are reduced for those students residing through the 7-week period. Fee schedules for non- teaching use of boats, other major equipment items, living space, and laboratory space are available upon request from the Biological Station. All fees are due at registration. Fees are as of Spring 1995 and are subject to change. Housing in cabins or dormitory and use of kitchen facilities: Per day $ 3.00 7-week session $ 125.00 SUMMER 1995 CLASSES June 5 to July 22 Classes are offered (with the exception of Field Paleontology - see below) in one 7-week session beginning June 5 and ending July 22. Registration will occur on Saturday afternoon June 3. Registration will be followed by an all Station picnic for students, faculty and staff. Places will be held for all those pre-registered (i.e., completed the application form and submitted the required $20.00 per course pre-registration fee) until the end of registration unless the Station is notified. All classes begin at 8:00 AM and last until 5:00 PM or longer depending upon the course. Field lunches may be required for many classes. All courses are 4 credit hours with the exceptions of undergraduate and graduate research which may be taken for 1-4 credit hours. Class meeting days are Monday & Thursday, Tuesday & Friday, or Wednesday & Saturday. The days each class meets are provisional and will not be set until February when we have had a chance to examine class requests. Field Paleontology follows a separate schedule (see note below). 112 FIELD BIOLOGY The study and identification of plants and animals with emphasis on those common to this area of the country. Ecological and environmental aspects of living organisms are stressed. Tuesday & Friday. 330 PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY An introduction to the basic principles and concepts pertaining to ecological systems. Emphasis is placed on energy relationships in ecosystems and on population and community ecology. Much of the course is devoted to field observations and experimentation. Monday & Thursday. 546 STREAM ECOLOGY The interactions of stream organisms with each other and with their abiotic environments. An area stream will be used as an example for physical and chemical characteristics of stream and adaptations of organisms to their environment. Monday & Thursday. 548 WETLAND ECOLOGY Wetland ecology provides an introduction to the hydrology, geology, biochemical cycling, and biology of wetlands, including wetland classification and an introduction to federal laws that regulate wetlands. Students select either a research or management class project and are prepared for advanced research in the general areas of wetland ecology, or for employment with Federal/State agencies that regulate or manage wetlands. Students should have had a botany course and introductory ecology. Emphasis is on botanical rather than the wildlife aspects of wetland ecology. Current federal wetland assessment and delineation procedures will be taught. Tuesday & Friday. 553 FIELD BOTANY A survey of the flora of west Kentucky and surrounding states. Emphasis is placed on field identification of common species, use of keys, collection and preparation of specimens, and general plant ecology of the region. Wednesday & Saturday. 573 ORNITHOLOGY The study of avian biology with emphasis on anatomy, physiology, classification, and field identification of birds. Most class periods will begin with a field trip at dawn. Tuesday & Friday. 575 FIELD PALEONTOLOGY The study of Quaternary age fossils with emphasis on the collection, processing, curation, and identification of fossils. The field portion of this course will take place in Spain. Interested students must contact Dr. Robert Martin directly at (502) 762-6754. Time Arranged. 586 LIMNOLOGY A study of the interrelationships of the physical, chemical, and biological features of a wide variety of lakes and streams. Laboratories include identification of the major groups of aquatic organisms and a range of laboratory and field techniques. Wednesday & Saturday. 589 RESERVOIR ECOLOGY An examination of the variation in chemical and biological phenomena that characterize river impoundments. Literature reading and discussion is followed by learning techniques of observation to identify pattern and process in nature and by designing and executing field experiments to assess cause and effect relationships. Time Arranged. 493 OR 494 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TOPICS Designed for undergraduates who wish to do directed research in an area of field biology. A staff member must agree to direct the research. 3 to 4 hours credit may be taken. Time arranged. 693 OR 694 TOPICS IN BIOLOGY Designed for graduate students who wish to do independent research or research toward a graduate degree. A staff member must agree to direct the research. 3 to 4 hours credit may be taken. Time arranged. The Biological Station and the Center for Reservoir Research operate under the policies, procedures and regulations of Murray State University. Murray State University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. Murray State University and the Biological Station encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups. Hancock Biological Station Murray State University Murray, KY 42071 (502) 474-2272