Research

In addition to filing a research application, researchers are responsible for obtaining any and all appropriate university, state or federal permits required for their research.
Researchers should use proper personal safety equipment when handling dangerous tools or chemicals. Research equipment (i.e. boots, waders, watercraft, water sampling
equipment, etc.) that has been used outside of the ecosystem preserve must be properly cleaned before being introduced into the preserve.

• Ideally, all research equipment should be cleaned at the location of last use before being moved to a new location. If this is not possible, equipment should be cleaned in the Field Closet on the south side of the Bunker Interpretive Center BEFORE being introduced to the preserve’s natural areas.
• To properly clean equipment, remove all debris (soil, mud, plant particles, etc.) and disinfect equipment with a 10% bleach solution and allow to completely dry before using in the preserve.
• Research equipment borrowed from the preserve must not leave the preserve without written consent from the Preserve Director.

Before conducting research, researchers are expected to know which taxa are locally rare and protected and avoid collection of species that are endangered (E), threatened (T) or probably extirpated (X) in the state of Michigan.
(see: http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/data/specialanimals.cfm)

• Researchers are asked to take proper precautions to minimize damage to rare species, the associated soil and vegetation during field work.
• Researchers should use catch and release sampling as much as possible and must be mindful of suitable weather conditions and time of confinement to minimize animal discomfort/fatality when trapping.
• Whenever feasible, photography (instead of collection) should be used to document vertebrate and invertebrate characteristics.
• Researchers are asked to collect only a single sample when obtaining scientific voucher specimens.
• Researchers may not collect from plant populations with fewer than 10 plants at the site (within a 30 meter radius) and should avoid collecting entire plants (including root systems) when plant leaves or shoots are sufficient for identification.

Researchers are expected to remove all flags, marking tape, and research equipment at the end of their data collection period.

Since 1985, scientific research has been conducted at the Ecosystem Preserve, in both the Buiten Wildlife Sanctuary and the public area of the preserve. Research of various topics is conducted by Calvin professors and their students during classes and as summer research projects. It is also conducted by Calvin student employees under the direction of Dr. James Skillen as they study the ecology of the preserve.

Current and past research projects at the Ecosystem Preserve include:

• Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Study (1988-present)
• Archeological Survey (2009)
• Breeding Bird Inventory (1986-present)
• Eastern Box Turtle Study (1986-present)
• Fossil Pollen Study
• Geographic Information System (GIS) Database (2009)
• Small Mammals Survey (1988-present)
• Trail Camera Study (2009-present)
• Tree Census Study (1974-present)

For more information about a specific project, research methodology, or data obtained, contact Dr. James Skillen.

Since 2007, Calvin students have conducted research at Flat Iron Lake Preserve during the summer. These students spend the summer living at the preserve doing research under the direction of Dr. Will Miller and Dr. Dave Warners. Dr. Miller's students will be studying the distribution and abundance of ticks in West Michigan. Dr. Warners' students have been developing a floristic description of the terrestrial and shallow water systems of the preserve. Preserve Senior Fellow Dr. Randy Van Dragt's former students studied the ecology of the lake, and conducted small mammal, invertebrate and breeding bird inventories. Calvin students interested in assisting with research should visit the biology department's summer research page for more details, and speak directly with the professor leading the investigation.

Current and past research projects at the Flat Iron Lake Preserve include:

• Bathymetric Map of Flat Iron Lake (2008)
• Benthic Invertebrate Survey (2012)
• Effect of Prairie Burns on Insect Populations (2013- present)
• Fish and Plankton Inventory (2010)
• Floral Inventory & Phenology (2008- present)
• Role of Invertebrates in the Food Web of Flat Iron Lake (2009)
• Small Mammal & Breeding Bird Inventory (2011)

For more information about a specific project, research methodology, or data obtained, contact Dr. James Skillen.