Grant Monies

Scholarship and Grant Committee
3792 Illinois Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40213-1066
March 27, 2002

I want to take this opportunity on behalf of KSNH to thank you and Eastern Kentucky Power for continued generous support of our mutual goals and missions. Since 1998, your financial support has made possible the following grants and donations:

Kim Feeman – 1999, Morehead State University
“A Floristic Survey of the “Tablelands”
A natural Region in the northeastern section of the Knobs of Kentucky
$500.00

Christopher Adams – 2000, University of Kentucky
"Comparing the autecology of three Aristolochia (Dutchman’s pipe) species, with particular emphasis on seed dormancy and germination characteristics”
$464.80

Patrick Crumrine – 2000, University of Kentucky
“Documentation of cannibalism in Odonata, investigating the impacts that cannibalism has on community composition namely the prey of cannibals
in families of dragonflies”
$520.50

Brad Dickey – 2000, University of Kentucky
“A comparison of hormone levels and aggression in several species of Kentucky Crayfish”
$986.80

Tracy Hawkins – 2000, University of Kentucky
“Contributions to the autecology of selected Apiaceae (carrot family) of Eastern North America – with special references to energy allocation”
$795.60

Jessie Ballowe, University of Louisville – Jessie Ballowe’s research is entitled “Trophic Relationships of Troglophilic Banded Sculpin and other Epigean Fishes”. The goal of this study will be to determine feeding habits of banded sculpin found in cave streams and to assess possible negative impacts on resident cavefish populations. To carry out this work, at least 10 caves and 2-3 surface streams will be visited and stomach content analysis will be performed on individual fish. The analysis of the stomach contents will give insight into how banded sculpin and other accidentals survive in extreme cave environments and their possible effects on that habitat and its inhabitants.

Amanda Rainwater-Bradshaw, Eastern Kentucky University – Amanda’s research is entitled “Delineation of Biotic and Abiotic Factors Related to Mussel Community Structure in Sinking Creek, Upper Cumberland River System”. This research is important in gaining a broader understanding of why mussel populations are dwindling in aquatic ecosystems. By determining biotic and abiotic requirements of these organisms, we can delineate why they are declining at such alarming rates. Another important aspect of her research is that two of the eight species of mussels that reside in Sinking Creek are federally endangered. Hopefully, some of the knowledge obtained in her study will contribute toward the conservation of these two species.

Tracy Kathryn Jubenville, Eastern Kentucky University – Tracy’s research is entitled “Biodiversity Survey of the Crayfishes of the Upper Cumberland River Drainage in Eastern Kentucky”. The project Tracy has chosen is a classic study in biodiversity. She is attempting to find out what species, in this case, crayfishes, are living in particular river drainage. She has limited her study to the Upper Cumberland River above Cumberland Falls for several reasons. First, it has been postulated for many years that the Cumberland Plateau is the center of radiation of the crayfish genera Cambarus and Orconectes. Nowhere else in the world is there a greater diversity of crayfishes than on the Cumberland Plateau and surrounding geographic areas. Second, no one has ever done an intensive survey of the crayfishes within this drainage. Third, Cumberland Falls represents an important biological barrier for many aquatic species.

Deanne L. Swartley, Eastern Kentucky University – Deanne’s research is entitled “Status of and Pond Selection by Rana palustris and Rana pipiens in the Kentucky Bluegrass”. Her thesis project involves monitoring and studying characteristics of ponds that certain species of anurans (frogs) use for breeding. In particular, she is working with northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) and pickerel frogs (Rana palustris).

Zacchaeus Compson, Western Kentucky University – Zacchaeus’ research is entitled “An Examination of Trophic Interactions in Springs of Mammoth Cave Using Stable Isotope Ratios”. He will use stable isotopes to determine the trophic interactions between cave and epigean species in Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP). This project has two primary components: (1) a fish survey and (2) a cave-fauna predation study. The fish survey has been implemented as part of a long-term study that will examine the effects of removing an Army Corps of Engineers lock and dam on the border of MCNP.

                 May 20, 1998            - $500.00
                 November 8, 1998    - $500.00
                 November 11, 1999 - $500.00
                 January 25, 2001       - $500.00
                 February 14, 2002     - $500.00

Because of your support, KSNH projects such as these have been made possible and KSNH name recognition has reached new heights throughout Kentucky. Our mission will continue to be the promotion and support of natural history/biodiversity projects, which contribute to the overall knowledge of Kentucky’s rich biodiversity.

            In the past we have had limited responses from potential candidates for grants and scholarships. We
      believe this happens in part from the information never reaching a main contact person at each university or
      college in Kentucky.

               If you know of reliable research contacts at the university level, please forward their names, addresses,
       telephone numbers, and email addresses, etc. to me via email wroberts@iglou.com. Your help would
       be greatly appreciated in this endeavor.