Related Stories
Habitat Stories
No Longer Stumped
FWRC researchers in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture developed a simple, cost-effective management technique to help support white-tailed deer when their typical diet of nutrient-rich forbs— herbaceous, flowering plants - are not widely available. The team wanted to learn why deer curiously devour sprouts from recently cut tree stumps. They found that when a tree is cut, the roots send a surge of nutrients to the sprouts on the stump, making it highly nutritious forage for deer and other wildlife. This process, called up-regulation, mimics the new growth that would traditionally result from seasonal wildfires. Researchers says that understanding these mineral stumps will enable hunters and other forest managers to better assist deer herds and other herbivores when their usual diet loses nutritional value.
2017
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.