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| Kite aerial photograph of Ross Natural History Reservation. Superwide-angle view toward the northeast over Gladfelter Pond. Autumn foliage, Oct. 2006, © J.S. Aber. |
The ESU Ross Natural History Reservation was established in 1958. It consists of 200 acres in the Flint Hills upland in western Lyon County. The reservation is utilized for research and educational purposes. The major habitats include grassland, aquatic sites, wooded tracts, and a central building complex. The Ross Reservation will be utilized for learning basic field techniques in geospatial analysis, including map reading, use of GPS equipment, and kite/blimp aerial photography.
Current management emphasizes a "holistic approach" toward complex ecosystems that support game and non-game wildlife within a mix of prairie and woodland habitats. One-third of the reservation is burned each year on a 3-year rotation schedule in order to maintain a diversity of habitats. Beginning in 2007, study plots were established in the northeastern portion of the reservation for experimental treatments. Spring and autumn burning will be conducted at one- and three-year intervals on selected plots to evaluate the long-term impact of different burning regimes.
More kite aerial photography of
Ross Reservation.
Return to course syllabus.
EB/ES 351 © J.S. Aber (2007).