The mission of Archbold Biological Station is to conduct ecological research. This Station landscape shows three Archbold biologists conducting their research in the field. On the left, Visiting Scientist Glen Woolfenden bands nestling Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens), while an adult Scrub-Jay perches nearby. The population study (since 1969) of Scrub-Jays at Archbold is the longest continuous study of a land bird anywhere. In the center, former Station director James Layne weight a small rodent captured in a live-trap on a permanent 7-acre study grid. On the right, Station entomologist Mark Deyrup checks an insect flight-trap.

The flowering shrub at Layne’s right elbow is Flag Pawpaw (Asimina obovata), common in Florida’s scrubs. The flowering plant in the right foreground is the State Threatened mint, Ashe’s Savory (Calamintha ashei), a scrub plant of the Lake Wales Ridge. Much of the research at the Station is focused on the rare, endemic species of the Florida scrub; nineteen federal threatened and endangered species occur on the Station.

© Archbold Biological Station, 14 November 2007. Webmaster: Kevin Patram, send e-mail