FIVE YEARS OF UNDERGRADUATE WATERSHED RESEARCH AT PLATTSBURGH STATE UNIVERSITY

Since summer 2000, the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at Plattsburgh State University and the W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute have collaborated to provide an eight-week research-immersion experience for undergraduate students. With funding from the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program, the program promotes the professional development of geology and ecology students through their participation in ongoing interdisciplinary research of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Little Chazy River watershed of northeastern New York. Our principal objectives are to instill an awareness of ecosystem complexity, function and value, develop a better understanding of ecosystem research and its social implications and encourage students to pursue graduate study and careers in geology and ecology.

The program focus in its first two years was an interdisciplinary investigation of ecosystem-level processes and ice storm disturbances in the Altona Flat Rock sandstone pavement jack pine barrens and adjacent hardwood forests in the upper Little Chazy River watershed. The sandstone pavement pine barrens are oligotrophic island ecosystems amidst the larger matrix of northern hardwood and mixed hardwood-conifer forests. The program’s focus was expanded in subsequent years to include throughout the entire Little Chazy River watershed. These investigations yielded information on the vitality and stability of forested and agricultural ecosystems in the watershed. The student projects also generated new research questions, particularly with respect to the role of nutrient cycling in maintaining ecosystem health and water quality.

To date, the Plattsburgh REU program has provided research experiences for 87 undergraduates, representing 41 different colleges and universities. Upon graduation, more than 85% of the participants enrolled in graduate school or found employment in professional careers.