Research Highlights

Water samples provide further guidance on how best to protect water quality at stream crossings in Piedmont forests

Sedimentation inputs to streams are some of the biggest current and future challenges for land and water managers. Preventing stream sediment generated from silvicultural activities requires an understanding of local inputs. A recent Forest Service study provides sediment data that resource managers can incorporate into their decision support system to help estimate sediment concentrations and exports from stream crossings, haul roads, and skid trails in Piedmont forests. They can also use the data to further refine statewide Best Management Practice guidelines. Station: SRS

Estimating the ratio of pond size to irrigated crop land: A tool to conserve groundwater resources in Mississippi

Groundwater withdrawals in the Mississippi Delta region and around the nation have increased dramatically since the last century, resulting in the depletion of water resources from subsurface aquifers. Although more on-farm water storage ponds have been constructed in recent years to mitigate groundwater depletion in Mississippi, little effort has been devoted to addressing the question of how many hectares (1 hectare = 2.47 acres) of crop land can be irrigated with water from one hectare of agricultural pond. Forest Service scientists developed a computer modeling tool to address this need. Station: SRS

Managing the foodscape to alleviate deer browsing

Forest plant biodiversity is being degraded by browsing from overabundant deer herds, but forest management can alleviate impacts. Research by Forest Service scientists and their partners has expanded understanding of how forage availability throughout the landscape, or the “foodscape,” influences browsing to provide guidelines forest managers can use to reduce browse impacts. Station: NRS

Environmental building declaration prepared using life cycle assessment

An environmental building declaration for the Design Building on the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts was prepared from a whole building life cycle assessment on this first wood-concrete composite building using the emerging cross laminated timber material and technology in United States. Station: FPL

Restoring whitebark pine ecosystems in the face of climate change

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) forests are declining across most of their range in North America because of the combined effects of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks, fire exclusion policies, and the exotic pathogen Cronartium ribicola, which infects five-needle white pines and causes the disease white pine blister rust. Predicted changes in climate may exacerbate whitebark pine decline by (1) accelerating succession to more shade tolerant conifers, (2) creating environments that are unsuitable for the species, (3) increasing the frequency and severity of mountain pine beetle outbreaks and wildland fire events, and (4) facilitating the spread of blister rust. Yet, whitebark pine tolerates a variety of stressful conditions and the broad genetic diversity to adapt to changes in climate and disturbance. Station: RMRS

Scientists use plants to restore ecosystem health in the Great Lakes Basin

A project funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is greatly expanding the knowledge base of watershed-level benefits of phytoremediation: the direct use of living green plants for site remediation. The project includes projecting and measuring the volume of untreated urban runoff captured or treated at these sites. Station: NRS

Providing science-based information for future conservation and management efforts of sagebrush ecosystems

Conservation and restoration of sagebrush ecosystems is the first step in reducing the threat to the greater sage-grouse. Holistic management of this ecosystem also will reduce fires that damage properties, mitigate the spread of undesirable invasive annual grasses, and improve ecosystem services. Station: RMRS