Survey
Ecological Research Area
Welcome
Welcome to the USF Ecological Research Area (EcoArea), a 500-acre plot of wetland
and sandhill habitat. It is home to a variety of plants and animals, many of whom
are threatened or endangered and also several that are fire-dependent. Part of the
area is routinely burned in order to conduct research on ecological succession.
The EcoArea has two primary functions: research and teaching.
Research
It is the setting for many research projects and conservation efforts. The EcoArea
offers considerable value to research at USF by supporting a variety of types
of research projects (ecology, biology, geology, archeaology, engineering, etc.)
For more information please use the links on the right of this page to explore specific
information on recent and current research, burns, and ecosystems.
Teaching
Besides its role as a research facility for scientists and other researchers, the
EcoArea is a learning tool for USF students and teachers, and a valuable asset to
the University community. It provides hands on experience for USF students and teaches
a better understanding of web of relationships in habitat. It is a central part
of the ecology courses and students taking ecology classes have several EcoArea
based labs. Other departments at USF use the EcoArea for teaching as well. For more
information please use the links on the right of this page to explore specific information
on courses and the materials used in the PCB 3043 Ecology course taught every semester.
Obtaining Access to the EcoArea
If you want to conduct research or teach in the EcoArea,
here's what you need to do.