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Habitat Stories
Increasing Habitats for Southeastern Birds and Trees
Wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture major and undergraduate researcher Kim Lowery has been developing her research skills working on two projects: one studying ways to improve pollinator populations across the Black Prairie Belt region and also assisting on a project studying how Bachman's sparrows and other birds use the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee Wildlife Refuge. Lowery and the pollinator team assessed the establishment rates of 30 recommended pollinator species at experimental plots in Clay County, Mississippi from 2018 to 2020 and studied how they responded to prescribed fires. The information from this project will help develop and target regionally effective seed mixes, and the team's work is being submitted to peer-review publications. For the Bachman's sparrow project, Lowery assisted graduate student Holly Todaro in her study of habitat selection for these quickly declining songbirds.
Lowery said that there isn't much knowledge about how these birds use the resources in their chosen open-canopy pine forest habitats, so the knowledge gained will help inform better habitat management recommendations for the species.
2021
Strategic Conservation
Researchers at Mississippi State's Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC) are developing a web-based tool called the CRP Menu to help farmers explore conservation options in the Farm Bill's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The tool allows farmers to create and compare conservation plans based on their goals and eligibility, aiming to simplify the process and provide personalized information. Building on the Strategic Conservation Assessment (SCA) tool, it will be adaptable for different regions and conservation issues. The team is using a social science approach, gathering input from farmers and stakeholders across 12 counties in eight states to shape the tool. After testing in these areas, the goal is to expand it nationally, improving farmer engagement, reducing barriers to participation, and enhancing conservation outcomes.
2023
Light a Fire, Save a Bird
Mississippi State's Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC) is studying the impact of prescribed fire on the Bachman's sparrow, a ground-nesting bird whose population has declined due to habitat loss and fire exclusion. Dr. Mark McConnell leads the research, focusing on whether burning during the growing season (as opposed to the traditional dormant season) can help restore the bird's habitat. The study, conducted across 1,800 acres with 15 burn plots, found that a mix of both dormant and growing season burns benefits the sparrow. The team conducted bird surveys and vegetation assessments before and after the burns to understand how fire timing influences ground cover and sparrow populations. Dr. Kristine Evans contributed expertise on the bird's behavior and habitat needs.
The goal is to determine the best fire management strategies to support healthy Bachman's sparrow populations and improve conservation efforts for this species.