Queen's University Biological Station
Encyclopedia
Queen's University Biological Station is the largest inland field station in North America. For over 50 years, researchers and students have gathered at the Queen's University Biological Station (QUBS) to conduct research and participate in courses spanning ecology, evolution, conservation and environmental biology. In 2002, it became part of the United Nations recognized Thousand Islands – Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. The mandate at QUBS is three-fold: education, research, and conservation.
, one of the lakes of the Rideau Canal
, some 50 km north of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
QUBS began operations in 1944. In 1945, the station consisted of 34 hectares of land. A series of real estate purchases and gifts to Queen's have expanded the facility to more than 2000 hectares ( > 5000 acres), including seven small lakes and extensive shoreline on Lake Opinicon and Hart Lake, and habitats ranging from abandoned farmland to mature second-growth forest.
Astride the Frontenac Axis (an extension of the Canadian Shield into the sedimentary rocks that surround the Great Lakes Basin), QUBS provides access to a wide variety of habitats. Lakes of various types and sizes are close by. So, too, are landscapes with a range of human influence and alteration, a varied topography, specialized environments, and high biodiversity. The area offers a fascinating juxtaposition of northern and southern flora and fauna.
Since QUBS now has a large land base (> 2000 ha) and a long history of teaching and research uses in the vicinity of Lake Opinicon, state-of-the-art GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment (real-time correction and sub-metre capability) has been obtained for use in various applications. Recently, QUBS has also acquired the necessary computers and software to enable a GIS (Geographic Information System) at the field station. We are working with the GIS lab in the Geography Department at Queen's University
to set up this database. Once in operation, all pertinent information, whether positional, historical, observational or experimental can be included, giving QUBS users a complete picture of the local environment and enabling long-term comparisons. A GIS at QUBS will become a useful tool in both teaching and research applications.
Field courses offered at QUBS are a great way for university students to get hands-on experience in field biology.
Course topics include:
Of late, the education mandate has expanded beyond university students to include members of the community, friends and family, public schools, and other interest groups. This ramped up public outreach and education initiative is aimed to demonstrate the wonder of local biodiversity and provide simple solutions for protecting it. It includes weekly Nature Walks to explore local ecosystems and discover the flora and fauna. Public Seminars are given every week on various topics of public interest. Every year, QUBS hosts an Open House to show off to the public what researchers are up to. Workshops are also being offered on subjects ranging from Nature Photography to Wetland Ecology. Some workshops are one-day long affairs and others, weekend retreats.
Part of the success of QUBS is the admixture of researchers from a variety of institutions. On a regular basis, the field station hosts researchers from Queen's, Carleton U. (Ottawa), U. of Toronto (both St. George and Erindale), Illinois Natural History Survey (Champaign, Ill.), Ithaca College (Ithaca, N.Y.), University of Western Ontario (UWO), University of Windsor, etc. In addition, international researchers also make use of QUBS. The interaction between researchers from various universities, pursuing myriad research questions, makes the field station a lively, challenging and interesting place to conduct field work.
Research at the Queen's University Biological Station is conducted to study species of conservation concern. Current research focuses on the threatened black rat snake, snapping and map turtles and declining populations of Cerulean warblers.
Description and History
The Queen's University Biological Station is located on the shores of Lake OpiniconOpinicon Lake
Opinicon Lake is a lake located on the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada.This shallow lake was formed when Colonel John By built the Rideau Canal. It is a popular fishing spot and location for cottagers. Chaffey's Lock and Davis Lock are the two locks on this passage. Davis Lock separates Lake...
, one of the lakes of the Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal , also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston, Ontario on Lake Ontario. The canal was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States and is still in use today, with most of its...
, some 50 km north of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
QUBS began operations in 1944. In 1945, the station consisted of 34 hectares of land. A series of real estate purchases and gifts to Queen's have expanded the facility to more than 2000 hectares ( > 5000 acres), including seven small lakes and extensive shoreline on Lake Opinicon and Hart Lake, and habitats ranging from abandoned farmland to mature second-growth forest.
Astride the Frontenac Axis (an extension of the Canadian Shield into the sedimentary rocks that surround the Great Lakes Basin), QUBS provides access to a wide variety of habitats. Lakes of various types and sizes are close by. So, too, are landscapes with a range of human influence and alteration, a varied topography, specialized environments, and high biodiversity. The area offers a fascinating juxtaposition of northern and southern flora and fauna.
Since QUBS now has a large land base (> 2000 ha) and a long history of teaching and research uses in the vicinity of Lake Opinicon, state-of-the-art GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment (real-time correction and sub-metre capability) has been obtained for use in various applications. Recently, QUBS has also acquired the necessary computers and software to enable a GIS (Geographic Information System) at the field station. We are working with the GIS lab in the Geography Department at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
to set up this database. Once in operation, all pertinent information, whether positional, historical, observational or experimental can be included, giving QUBS users a complete picture of the local environment and enabling long-term comparisons. A GIS at QUBS will become a useful tool in both teaching and research applications.
Education
Education has always been an important focus at the biology station. In the early years, students served as research assistants, and received training in field biology while working for various professors on established studies. This type of training continues today. But as often as not, students now work on their own projects. They do field work as part of the requirements for an advanced degree—an Honours BSc, Master's, or Doctorate.Field courses offered at QUBS are a great way for university students to get hands-on experience in field biology.
Course topics include:
- Ecology of Reptiles and Amphibians
- Ecology and Evolution of Plant Sex
- Applied Wildlife Ecology
- Insect Ecology and Taxonomy
- Applied Fisheries Biology
- Systematics of Flowering Plants
- Ecology of Birds in Winter
- Ecotoxicology
- Biodiversity and Conservation
Of late, the education mandate has expanded beyond university students to include members of the community, friends and family, public schools, and other interest groups. This ramped up public outreach and education initiative is aimed to demonstrate the wonder of local biodiversity and provide simple solutions for protecting it. It includes weekly Nature Walks to explore local ecosystems and discover the flora and fauna. Public Seminars are given every week on various topics of public interest. Every year, QUBS hosts an Open House to show off to the public what researchers are up to. Workshops are also being offered on subjects ranging from Nature Photography to Wetland Ecology. Some workshops are one-day long affairs and others, weekend retreats.
Research
QUBS is the base of operations for research scientists to study species found in the area. Over the years, the research conducted at QUBS has resulted in over 800 scientific publications in many different areas of biology.Part of the success of QUBS is the admixture of researchers from a variety of institutions. On a regular basis, the field station hosts researchers from Queen's, Carleton U. (Ottawa), U. of Toronto (both St. George and Erindale), Illinois Natural History Survey (Champaign, Ill.), Ithaca College (Ithaca, N.Y.), University of Western Ontario (UWO), University of Windsor, etc. In addition, international researchers also make use of QUBS. The interaction between researchers from various universities, pursuing myriad research questions, makes the field station a lively, challenging and interesting place to conduct field work.
Conservation
The large and diverse landholdings at QUBS provide unique opportunities to protect and study species whose populations (worldwide) have been in serious decline. In the face of continuing development, these additions have provided crucial long-term security for study sites. Long term data sets collected at QUBS also help us to understand the impacts of environmental disturbances such as climate change and zebra mussel invasions. For many species of plants and animals, especially those with large home ranges or particular requirements, the conservation value of the QUBS property is substantial.Research at the Queen's University Biological Station is conducted to study species of conservation concern. Current research focuses on the threatened black rat snake, snapping and map turtles and declining populations of Cerulean warblers.