Natural Areas

The prairies, lakes, streams, and wetlands of Dickinson County and neighboring counties provide diverse opportunities for research and study. The Cayler Prairie Preserve, the Freda Hafner Kettlehole Preserve, and the Excelsior fen complex are major natural areas close to the Laboratory. West Okoboji Lake is the deepest lake in Iowa and the only stratified lake. Spirit Lake is the largest lake in Iowa, while the East Okoboji chain is the longest.

The abundant local lakes and ponds are inhabited by a large number of aquatic vascular and non-vascular plants. The algal flora is outstanding, and the station has attracted students of the algae for many years. The local aquatic and terrestrial flora have been well studied, and the station maintains a herbarium of the local flora as well as a diagnostic collection of diatoms.

The fauna is representative of the Upper Midwest. Small mammals are numerous. Several species of amphibians and reptiles occur in large numbers. Approximately 50 species of fish inhabit the rivers, ponds, and lakes of the region. Certain species spawn during June and July and thus offer the opportunity to study breeding behavior, nesting and care of young, and embryonic development. A large number of birds reside and nest locally. Water and shore birds are abundant, as are passerine birds that inhabit the marshes and prairies.

The invertebrate fauna is very large and varied. Sponges, bryozoans, hydra, nematodes, flatworms, rotifers, oligochaetes, and leeches are easily obtained. The protozoans and microcrustaceans occur in very large numbers in the plankton of ponds and lakes. The insects are exceedingly varied because of the diversity of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

For additional information about local natural areas, please contact the Executive Director.