By Scout Nelson
The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in Minnesota has become an important center for ecology research and education. Located about an hour north of the Twin Cities, the 5,500-acre University of Minnesota site includes forests, former farm fields, grasslands, Cedar Bog Lake and Cedar Creek.
The history of research at Cedar Creek began in the 1930s. University of Minnesota graduate student Raymond Lindemann studied the web of life in Cedar Bog Lake.
Since then, Cedar Creek has become a major research site for ecologists from around the world. Scientists at the reserve study how plants, animals, soil, climate, and other parts of an ecosystem interact.
One of Cedar Creek’s best-known areas of research involves biodiversity. Long-term experiments led by University of Minnesota ecology professor David Tilman show how plant diversity affects grassland ecosystems.
“Cedar Creek is best known for demonstrating that grasslands with more plant species are more productive, resilient, and resistant to disease and invasion,” says Eric Seabloom, a University of Minnesota professor and the director of Cedar Creek.
“The results of this long-term biodiversity experiment, led by ecology professor David Tilman, inspired hundreds of studies around the world,” Seabloom says.
Research has become important beyond ecology. Today, biodiversity findings are used in areas such as agriculture and conservation.
Cedar Creek and Carbon Storage
Research at Cedar Creek also examines how land can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in soil. This work is important as communities and scientists look for ways to address climate and environmental challenges.
Much of the reserve contains sandy soil that was once used for farming. Some of these fields were abandoned during the past century.
Grasslands are especially important because much of their carbon is stored below the ground. This can provide protection from fire compared with forests, where much of the carbon is stored aboveground.
Seabloom recently led research showing that agricultural tilling can cause soil carbon loss. However, former farm fields can continue to collect and store carbon for many years. More recent research also suggests that fire may increase this benefit.
“After tilling stops, these soils can store carbon over long periods of time,” Seabloom says.
Research Connects Minnesota with the World
Cedar Creek research has a global reach, but scientists also recognize that one research site cannot represent every environment. Plant life, soil, and climate can vary greatly between locations.
Scientists address this challenge by conducting similar experiments at multiple locations. Elizabeth Borer, Seabloom, and other researchers helped develop this approach.
“In 2006, we realized that there was an opportunity to replicate our experiments at multiple sites,” Borer says. “We got buy-in from colleagues around the world. After the first year, we had about 25 sites, and this has continued to grow.
“Our work went viral before there was ‘viral.’
The work led to the creation of the Nutrient Network, known as NutNet, in 2007. Researchers later developed the Disturbance and Recovery Across Grasslands Network, or DRAGNet.
Today, Borer and Seabloom coordinate standardized experiments at more than 230 sites in 30 countries. Hundreds of scientists take part in this global research effort.
Cedar Creek Supports Students and Education
Cedar Creek’s research also influences students. Its work is included in ecology courses at universities around the world.
University of Minnesota graduate student Clarissa Moore experienced this influence firsthand. She grew up near Cedar Creek but first learned about the site while studying biology at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She later heard about it again while studying abroad in South Africa.
Moore later completed an internship at Cedar Creek. During four months at the reserve, she helped maintain experiments, collect data and study native Minnesota plants and ecosystems.
Her experience also included group research, plant identification, and statistics. She later became interested in restoring native plant communities and joined Dan Larkin’s lab in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology.
"A Couple years later, I’m now a PhD student in the Larkin lab!
Education Beyond Research
Cedar Creek also serves as a living classroom for students and the public. Its educational programs cover kindergarten through high school.
In 2025, more than 4,200 K-12 students and teachers and more than 4,900 community members took part in online or in-person programs.
Photo Credit: University of Minnesota
Categories: Minnesota, General