research

Facilities

Proposal for Wetland Experimental Mesocosm Compound and Ecological Observatory Area

West Campus - George Mason University
Environmental Science and Policy Dept
Dr. Changwoo Ahn

We propose to utilize the dry pond basin on the West Campus near the intermural fields as a Wetland Experimentation Area and Ecological Observatory Area.

The Wetland Experimentation Area would house multiple small stock tanks simulating small-scale wetlands. These would be subjected to different treatments of vegetation, soil, water regime, fertilization, etc. to study wetland functions and related environmental issues. They would be used for both lab/field classes and for student and faculty research, including externally funded research. This area would be under the responsibility of Dr. Changwoo Ahn and Dr. R. Christian Jones in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at Mason. We currently have a permission from Mason's Space Committee to use the site to develop the compound

The Ecological Observatory Area will be managed for natural plant and animal communities and be used for ecological studies by classes and for observational research by students and faculty. It will be outfitted with various environmental sensors like weather instruments, light sensors, soil sensors and other measurement systems. It is anticipated that the solar panel and other instruments at the George Mason pond on the main campus would be moved to this site. We would like to have a board walk through part of the current basin of the wet pond. We would also anticipate having a live webcam for remote observation of the Ecological Observatory.

Infrastructure needs:
Fence
Electricity
Water (Groundwater)

Photo A. Wetlands Experimental Area

 

Photo B. Ecological Observatory Area looking toward Wetland Demonstration Area

 

Photo C. Ecological Observatory Area looking toward dam and outlet structure.