DEPARTMENT of BIOLOGY

Recreational & Research Complex

Research Areas

  1. View an aerial photo of the Recreational and Research Complex (PDF - 397 KB).
  2. Visit the Virtual Tour entry for the Recreational and Research Complex.
  3. Complete a form to use the Wetland Research Area, Succession Plots or Winthrop Woods.

Wetlands Research Area

This 1.1 acre wetlands area, board walk and island bird preserve is a joint project between Winthrop University and Rock Hill School District 3. The main objectives of the wetland area are:

  1. to serve as a natural vegetative buffer to reduce erosion and sedimentation and to trap organic and inorganic pollutants from running into the lake 
  2. to establish the soil hydrology that will support a variety of water-tolerant plant species typical of a Piedmont wetlands 
  3. to provide additional habitat diversity to increase animal species richness.

The boardwalk provides an easy way for students to observe the wetlands without causing damage.

Wetlands boardwalk, medium

View this aerial photograph of the Wetlands in 2003 (PDF - 290 KB).

Succession Plots

A section of the Winthrop Farm is dedicated as a demonstration of secondary succession, which begins after a disturbance such as fire, logging, or cultivation. Beginning in 1988, 50 × 50 meter plots near the Winthrop Woods were set aside and undisturbed to allow for succession. New plots were added in 1994, 2000, and 2013.

View this aerial photo of the Succession Plots since 1989 (PDF - 924KB).

Winthrop Woods

The ~70-acre temperate deciduous forest is dominated by oaks, eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and white ash (Fraxinus americana). The forest is used by Winthrop students and faculty for course projects and research, and therefore, the Winthrop Woods is off limits to the public.