Current Research, Conferences, and Summaries

The Great Lakes Research and Education Center shares information about research relevant to national park management with other scientists, resource managers, and the broader public. The information listed here is in addition to the information found on the primary Great Lakes Research and Education Center website.

 

 

Conferences

 
Heather_setting_up_bat_net_8-12-03x
Researcher removes a bat from a mist net at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Photo by Joy Marburger

Bats Alive!
6/21/2014

Sixty-three people learned about bat conservation and current research on bats during the "Bats Alive!" workshop Saturday, June 21 at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education in Miller, Indiana. Presenters from Purdue University, Indiana State University, Mammoth Cave National Park, Ravenswood Media, and the Organization for Bat Conservation shared their work. Participants learned about current research, upcoming citizen science projects, and white-nose syndrome. They saw live bats, participated in equipment demonstrations, and discovered ways to help! Activities for youth were also featured. The event was sponsored by the Great Lakes Research and Education Center and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Return to the primary Great Lakes Research and Education Center website:

 
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Science Conference

11/28/12

Staff of the NPS Great Lakes Research and Education Center, Indiana University Northwest, The Field Museum (Chicago), and USGS Lake Michigan Field Station hosted a conference on November 28, 2012, "Linking Research to Management at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in a Rapidly Changing Environment". Keynote speaker, Patrick Gonzalez, NPS Climate Change Scientist, discussed projected impacts of climate change on the park. The conference emphasized various areas of research related to biodiversity in the park and how to apply it to best management practices. Both oral and poster presentations were presented to the public. The oral and poster presentations are provided HERE. For more information contact Joy Marburger, ph. 219-395-1544.

 

Reports

 
purple loosestrife in flower
Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife Volunteer Program Report
Dr. Beth Middleton, U.S.G.S. National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, Louisiana

February 17, 2005

As a follow-up to the GLREC-USGS purple loosestrife workshop in 2003, I wanted to inform you that a number of people have volunteered to help collect data on purple loosestrife for the program. More than 25 people volunteered during the workshop. As part of a cascade effect, after the workshop at least 5 additional people were recruited by people from the workshop to help with the research. Several inquiries have been made by school groups and others to help with the research in 2005. The data collected by volunteers have been tremendously useful to my research program. As an added benefit, volunteers who become involved in the program become better informed about the purple loosestrife problem, so that the program is of benefit in creating a well informed public. Volunteers also have the satisfaction of knowing that they have contributed to a worldwide research program involving people from many countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America (including Canada).

 
Purple Loosestrife Workshop Report and Summary
August 29-30, 2003

The GLREC held a purple loosestrife management and education workshop in Spooner, Wisconsin. Six federal, state, and nonprofit organizations presented pertinent information and educational tools for assisting mangers in control of this highly invasive species.

 
U.S.G.S. scientist conducts laboratory analysis of water samples.
Dr. Muruleedhara Byappanahalli works on E.coli analysis at the U.S.G.S. Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station

Thinking Differently About E.coli

Scientists and managers improve their ability to protect the health of swimmers through better science-based management and an increased understanding of contaminants and local conditions.

 
The fruit of oriental bittersweet
Invasive plants, such as oriental bittersweet, pose huge problems for park managers.

Key to Invasive Bittersweet Now Available

One of the best ways to combat invasive species is by identifying small infestations and removing them. One invader threatening Midwestern ecosystems is oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). Unfortunately, this invasive plant can be easily confused with American bittersweet, a native and non-invasive plant. After studying both species, Dr. Noel Pavlovic, Dr. Stacey Leicht Young, Dr. Ralph Grundel, and Krystalynn Frohnapple, all of the U.S.G.S. Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, have developed a key that will prove helpful to managers trying to distinguish the two plants. The bittersweet key is available online.

 

Climate Change Websites

Climate change and global change in general raise serious questions for national park managers. Research in these areas helps generate information that will prove useful in addressing management concerns. Visit these websites to learn more about current and recent global and climate change research.

 

Return to the primary Great Lakes Research and Education Center website:

Last updated: September 27, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1100 North Mineral Springs Road
Porter, IN 46304

Phone:

219 395-1882
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center phone number.

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