KBS LTER

Kellogg Biological Station | Long-Term Ecological Research

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New research leverages long-term treatments in novel ways to study plant biotic interactions

6.6.25

A field of dandelions growing in the KBS LTER.

Researchers in Kadeem Gilbert’s lab are using experimental treatments within the KBS LTER to look at how leaves regulate their external pH conditions, which may impact how they interact with insect herbivores and microbes. For almost 40 years, researchers at the KBS LTER have studied interactions among plants, microbes, insects, management, and the environment to learn how agriculture can provide both high yields and environmental outcomes that benefit society. One might assume that after all that time, every hypothesis has already been tested! Yet, we continually find there are fresh

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Phil Robertson elected to National Academy of Sciences for work in sustainable agriculture

5.13.25

Dr. Phil Robertson

Dr. Phil Robertson, Director of the KBS LTER from 1988 to 2017, and Michigan State University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors for a scientist in the U.S. Original article through MSU here. Phil Robertson, Ph. D., a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University (MSU) in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for a scientist in the United

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Collaboration between Michigan farmers and LTER researchers provides insights into soil health at the margins of agricultural fields

5.6.25

The multi-year collaboration aims to leverage farmer knowledge and experience and combine it with soil sampling to determine how soil conditions are impacted by being on the edge of agricultural fields, leading to useful management recommendations for creating productive farmlands. Intensive agriculture requires widespread adoption of conservation practices to mitigate loss of ecosystem services. Planting native perennial vegetation at the edge-of-fields (EOF) is a conservation practice shown to improve soil health and protect water quality. The deep root systems and stiff stems of

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7th Annual Underground Innovations set to take place February 4-5, 2025

12.18.24

Frankenmuth, Michigan - Michigan Agriculture Advancement's 7th Annual Underground Innovations meeting will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4-5, 2025 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Hosted by MiAA and the KBS LTER. Network with producers from across Michigan and beyond to help take ideas home to implement on your own operations. Speakers will share how they've come to adopt new practices on their farms, how they've gotten to this point, and where they are looking to go in the future. This year's speakers will focus on conservation topics such as cover crops, prairie plantings,

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Using community-engaged scholarship to address conservation barriers in rural Michigan croplands 

12.18.24

Cindy Fiser in front of a prairie strip, surrounded by a corn field.

Cynthia Fiser is a PhD candidate in the Landis Lab at Michigan State University, Department of Entomology and a 2024 KBS Broader Impacts Fellow. Her research looks at the ecological and social impacts of perennial prairie strips in row crop agriculture.  Change starts with people. Grassroots efforts that encourage people to learn, adapt, and share with others can help facilitate both community and individual capacity building. In the academic community, we pride ourselves that we know what the problems are, and it is our research that will be the solution. However,

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MSU KBS broader impacts: Mentoring the next generation of community-engaged scholars

11.13.24

Scientist Cindy Fiser presenting to audience at outdoor field event.

Post by Cynthia Fiser, graduate student in Doug Landis’s lab in the Michigan State University Department of Entomology and 2024 Broader Impacts Fellow. Her research looks at the impact of perennial prairie strips on the dispersal of ground beetles in row crop agriculture. Broader impacts, the practical component or long-term goal of most research projects, are often delegated to the final section of a grant proposal, paper, or presentation. However, broader impacts are front and center to successful research at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station. The

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New prairie strip partial budget tool from MiSTRIPS team

6.13.24

Conservation practices require a significant investment in time and money. There are often large implementation costs, learning curves, and labor required, all of which might prevent farmers and landowners from being able to adopt these practices. Additionally, when there are no tangible payments or products, the financial benefits may seem invisible. Yet, conservation practices provide many benefits to the cropping system, often by improving soil health, protecting water quality, and increasing yield stability. Because of this, farmers are often eligible for payments which can offset or even

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KBS LTER welcomes Erica Bradshaw as our 2024 Artist in Residence

6.12.24

Erica Bradshaw, our KBS LTER 2024 Artist In Residence, standing in front of the lake in the fall.

A Kalamazoo-area author, illustrator and muralist is the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Long-term Ecological Research program’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence. Erica Bradshaw, the owner of To Draw Attention Illustration, arrived at KBS May 20 and spent a week visiting labs and field sites and learning about research that’s underway at the Station. Erica Bradshaw A lifelong artist who had their first piece exhibited at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in second grade, Erica earned a bachelor’s degree from Kendall College of Art and Design in 2021, and is now a full-time

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Melissa Frost, KBS LTER RET, named Michigan Department of Education’s Region 7 Teacher of the Year!

4.16.24

Melissa Frost headshot photo.

BUCHANAN, MI - Buchanan Community Schools proudly announces that Melissa Frost, esteemed educator and dedicated science teacher of Buchanan High School, has been honored as the Michigan Department of Education’s Region 7 Teacher of the Year for the academic year 2024-2025. The Teacher of the Year program, organized by the Michigan Department of Education, aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding educators who demonstrate exemplary dedication to their profession and make significant contributions to the field of education. Melissa Frost exemplifies these qualities through her unwavering

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Buchanan students visit KBS LTER and Kellogg Bird Sanctuary with RET Melissa Frost

11.30.23

Nameer Baker and students in the LTER, viewing prairie strips.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, Melissa Frost, biology and chemistry teacher at Buchanan High School, joined the KBS LTER through our Research Experience for Teacher (RET) program. The NSF-funded RET program partners teachers with scientists to assist in ongoing research in the lab, as well as providing the teacher the opportunity to develop their own research project. Melissa joined Sarah Evan's lab, and worked with scientists Jennifer Jones and Caitlin Broderick. Melissa embraced the RET as a chance to integrate more research and data into her teaching. "Participating in a RET program allowed

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Recent News and Events

  • Prairie strips that pay – upcoming MiSTRIPS Field Day
  • Listening first: How KBS is expanding the reach of conservation research
  • New research leverages long-term treatments in novel ways to study plant biotic interactions
  • Announcing the 2025 KBS LTER Artists-in-Residence!
  • Graduate research from the KBS LTER reveals the value of soil microbe diversity for sustainable agriculture

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