Archbold Biological Station

Archbold Biological Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Main building at Archbold Biological Station
Location	Venus, Florida, USA
Coordinates
Area	5,192.63 acres (21.0138 km2)
Built	1941
NRHP Reference #	07000698
Added to NRHP	July 20, 2007

The Archbold Biological Station (ABS) is a research institute with a surrounding 5,192.63-acre (21 km²) estate near Lake Placid, Florida, USA. It includes an extensive area of Florida scrub, a scientifically interesting and highly threatened ecosystem. It was established in 1941 by Richard Archbold when his sponsorship of zoological research in New Guinea was curtailed by the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific region. The Station supports 19 federally listed threatened species, including the Sand Skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) and 13 endemic plant species. It is a venue for field research and education.

The station and grounds are open to visitors, who must register at the main office. There are some displays about the property and its history, a video about the biodiversity and conservation of the Lake Wales Ridge, a 1/2 mile nature trail and picnic tables. Nature and environmental education programs are offered for schools, adults and specialty groups.

On July 20, 2007, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Archbold acquired the initial land for the biological research station through his friend Donald Roebling from the Roebling family. Subsequently, additional land was purchased.

Climate

The climate of Archbold Biological Station is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa), with hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters. Due to its location on the well-drained sandy soil of the Lake Wales Ridge, the station experiences unusually low minimum temps, especially during summer. On clear nights, the dry soil of the scrub allows for quicker radiational cooling than surrounding lowland areas. The record high and record low are 103 °F (39 °C) and 13 °F (−11 °C), recorded on July 4, 1998 and January 5, 2001, respectively.

Climate data for Archbold Bio Stn, 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1969-present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	89 (32)	92 (33)	94 (34)	98 (37)	100 (38)	102 (39)	103 (39)	101 (38)	99 (37)	97 (36)	96 (36)	90 (32)	103 (39)
Average high °F (°C)	73.5 (23.1)	76.5 (24.7)	80.0 (26.7)	84.3 (29.1)	89.4 (31.9)	91.4 (33)	92.4 (33.6)	92.2 (33.4)	90.3 (32.4)	86.1 (30.1)	80.1 (26.7)	75.1 (23.9)	84.3 (29.1)
Average low °F (°C)	46.5 (8.1)	48.8 (9.3)	52.1 (11.2)	55.1 (12.8)	61.2 (16.2)	67.7 (19.8)	68.7 (20.4)	69.6 (20.9)	69.1 (20.6)	63.0 (17.2)	56.0 (13.3)	50.1 (10.1)	59.0 (15)
Record low °F (°C)	13 (−11)	18 (−8)	20 (−7)	27 (−3)	36 (2)	50 (10)	58 (14)	60 (16)	55 (13)	34 (1)	27 (−3)	16 (−9)	13 (−11)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.92 (48.8)	2.55 (64.8)	3.77 (95.8)	2.25 (57.2)	3.41 (86.6)	8.20 (208.3)	8.20 (208.3)	8.31 (211.1)	6.46 (164.1)	3.18 (80.8)	1.98 (50.3)	1.92 (48.8)	52.15 (1,324.9)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 in)	6.3	6.3	7.0	6.0	7.6	15.6	15.4	16.9	14.6	7.8	6.0	6.5	116
Source: [1]

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
• Archbold Biological Station