Abernathy Field Station

Abernathy Field Station
Ecological Research Area
Sampling at Abernarthy Field Station in 2010.
Photo courtesy of Jamie March.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Washington
Coordinates 40°8′8.52″N 80°11′7.44″W / 40.1357000°N 80.1854000°W / 40.1357000; -80.1854000Coordinates: 40°8′8.52″N 80°11′7.44″W / 40.1357000°N 80.1854000°W / 40.1357000; -80.1854000
Area 57 acres (0.23 km2)
Location of Abernathy Field Station in Pennsylvania

Abernathy Field Station is a 57-acre (230,000 m2) outdoor ecology classroom serving Washington & Jefferson College.[1]

The facility, located 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast from the campus in Washington, Pennsylvania is home to several different ecosystems, including mixed deciduous forest, conifers, several springseeps, two perennial streams, wetlands, and a mowed field.[1][2] These ecosystems support a diverse slate of wildlife, including birds, salamanders, fish, small mammals, white-tailed deer, various insects, and over 100 trees.[1] The facility is equipped with a NexSens-brand real-time weather station and stream monitoring system to provide background data for research.[3]

The Abernathy Field Station is operated by Washington & Jefferson College, allowing faculty and students to study the structure and function of the ecosystems and wildlife in it through coursework and independent research projects.[1][2] Students may not conduct research at the facility without faculty supervision.[2] Access to the land has been provided to the college by Dr. Ernest and Janet Abernathy, and the college has committed itself to preserving the ecological integrity of the land while utilizing it as an outdoor classroom.[1]

In 2008, W&J received a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute which would provide funding for long-term ecological monitoring at the Field Station.[4][5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "W&J: Abernathy Field Station". Washington & Jefferson College. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  2. 1 2 3 "III. ABERNATHY BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATION" (PDF). Biology Majors’ Handbook 2010-2011. Washington & Jefferson College. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  3. ↑ "Weather & Stream Monitoring - Abernathy Field Station". Nexsens. NexSens Technology, Inc. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  4. ↑ "Students Turn High-Tech Tools on Forest Research Station". Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Archived from the original on 2010-03-31.
  5. ↑ "W&J to receive $1 million". Observer-Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania: Observer Publishing Company. 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  6. ↑ Reid, Robert (Fall 2008). "W&J Receives $1 Million Grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute" (PDF). W&J Magazine. Washington & Jefferson College. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-27.

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