A. Center/Institute/Program

Flathead Lake Biological Station/The University of Montana

311 Bio Station Lane

Polson, MT 59860-9659

Phone: 406-982-3301

Fax: 406-982-3201

E-mail: Stanford@selway.umt.edu or jack.stanford@umontana.edu

Web Page: http://www.umt.edu/biology/flbs

Director/Chairperson: Dr. Jack A. Stanford

Representative to AERC: Dr. Jack A. Stanford

Alternate: Bonnie Ellis

B. Major objectives of the Center/Institute/Program

1. To conduct and publish basic research in ecology with an emphasis on limnology of the Flathead River Lake ecosystem in northwestern Montana.

2. To provide quality college courses in field-oriented ecological disciplines.

3. To train graduate students in ecology.

4. To provide information to the public on ecological issues.

C. Major ecosystem research emphases

1. Collaborative studies encompassing many aspects of limnology, from organism-level work to ecosystem-level examination of materials flux in large lakes and river floodplains.

2. Ecological consequences of global climate change.

3. Biocomplexity in the Environment: Emergent properties of alluvial river flood plains.

4. Pacific Salmon Conservation Programs: An environmental observatory network of salmon river ecosystems in Kamchatka (Russia), Alaska and British Columbia.

5. NASA HYDROS Earth System Science Pathfinder Mission.

6. Determination of links and conflicts between long-term economic growth and sustainability of ecosystem integrity.

D. Staff

Permanent scientific staff: PhD: 5, MS: 4

Scientific support staff: 3

Senior staff: 4

Other support staff: 5

Graduate students: PhD: 6, MS: 1

Summer undergraduates: 50-60

E. Approximate annual funding (recent year)

Core funding: $400,000/yr, Source: University

Grants: $2,000,000/yr, Major sources: NSF, USEPA, State, Private

F. Areas and facilities for ecosystem research studies

Located 90 miles from the main campus in Missoula and on the east shore of beautiful Flathead Lake, the Biological Station is well equipped to conduct cutting-edge ecosystem research. Collaboration with scientists from other institutions is encouraged and the facilities are ideal for sabbaticals. Our long-term data bases, fully instrumented labs, close proximity to a wide variety of field sites, computer internet connections, and full-time research faculty and staff allow the Biological Station to be used very effectively as an ecological analysis center. Flathead Lake Biological Station celebrated its centennial year in 1999.

G. Research staff directly involved in ecosystem research (names and specialty areas)

Allendorf, Fred – genetics

Bahls, Loren – floodplain ecology/river restoration

Blem, Charles – ornithology/mammalogy

Blem, Leann – ornithology/mammalogy

Brewer, Carol – ecosystem science

Callaway, Ray – plant ecology

Deluca, Tom – forest ecology, biodiversity

Dial, Ken – vertebrate morphology, biodiversity

Ellis, Bonnie – microbial ecology

Fagre, Dan – climate change

Gonser, Tom – floodplain ecology/river restoration

Greene, Erick – animal behavior, biodiversity

Hall, Charles – system analysis

Hauer, F. Richard – river ecology, biodiversity

Kimball, John – hydrology/ecosystem science

Levitan, Charles – ecological modeling

Lorang, Mark – geomorphology

Marnell, Leo – fisheries

McDonald, Kyle – remote sensing

Mills, Scott – forest ecology, biodiversity

Molles, Manuel – ecosystem science

Pletscher, Dan – biodiversity

Poole, Geoff – ecosystem science/modeling

Running, Steve – materials flux modeling

Sala, Anna – plant ecophysiology, biodiversity

Sheriff, Steve – floodplain ecology/river restoration

Spencer, Craig – lake ecology

Stanford, Jack - ecosystem science

Ward, James V. – floodplain ecology/river restoration

Watson, Paul – animal behavior

Williams, Richard – population genetics

Woessner, William – floodplain ecology/river restoration

H. Long-term data sets (code name, number of years of data, computer accessibility)

Long-term data bases of lake and river ecosystems exist and continue to be enhanced by ongoing research.