Historical records of land use (top) and the impact of rainfall and human activity on rivers, streams, wildlife, and fish are among the subjects of an ecological research collaboration between KU and Kansas State University. It is funded by the National Science Foundation and Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp.
PROTECTING THE PRAIRIE
Research teams from KU and Kansas State University are collaborating on a three-year ecological-forecasting study of how climate and people affect Central Plains plants, animals, soil, groundwater, and rivers.
The results will give researchers the ability to help Kansas resource managers, farmers, ranchers, public health workers, and other officials predict the effects of environmental changes and threats.
One project, for instance, compares new information to historical records to see how land use has changed. Another studies how temperature, rainfall and human activity affect rivers and streams.
As project co-director Leonard Krishtalka of KU’s Biodiversity Institute notes:“The ability to understand, forecast, and sustain grassland ecosystem services will be vital to the economic prosperity and quality of life in Kansas for many years.”
www.k-state.edu/ecoforecasting
www.kars.ku.edu/projects/ecoforecasting
