Publications
Wildfire Severity to Valued Resources Mitigated by Prescribed Fire in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Prescribed fire significantly reduces wildfire severity, particularly within two years post-treatment, with reductions of up to 88% observed. This study, focusing on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, demonstrates that frequent prescribed fire (every one to two years) effectively mitigates damage to highly valued resources and assets (HVRAs), including vegetation classes like Introduced Upland Vegetation-Shrub, Eastern Floodplain Forests, and Longleaf Pine Woodland, as well as ecologically important red-cockaded woodpecker nesting sites. The research quantified wildfire severity using the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) index and employed a generalized additive model (GAM) to analyze data from the 2017 West Mims wildfire event, comparing prescribed-fire treated and untreated areas.
Georgia's Forests, 2019
Georgia's forests, particularly those within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, exhibit significant biodiversity and ecological challenges. The study highlights the presence of both native species like longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), as well as nonnative invasive plants such as chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), and nepalese browntop (Microstegium vimineum). The research employs a combination of field surveys, photographic documentation, and collaborative efforts involving agencies like the Georgia Forestry Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Key findings underscore the importance of managing invasive species to preserve native ecosystems while acknowledging the ecological value of managed forests, such as thinned longleaf pine stands.
Wilderness on Woldlife Refuges
The Wilderness Act mandated the review of roadless areas within national wildlife refuges, leading to wilderness designation for 90 refuges, including portions of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. This study highlights how Congress prioritized public use and protection of these areas, ensuring their management plans preserve wilderness character while balancing conservation goals. The research approach involved analyzing the Act's implementation, focusing on its impact on refuge systems and specific sites like Okefenokee, which received special attention for its ecological significance.
Five hydrologic and landscape databases for selected National Wildlife Refuges in the Southeastern United States
A comprehensive suite of five hydrologic and landscape databases for National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the Southeastern U.S., including Okefenokee NWR, has been developed to assess water availability and quality impacts on ecosystems. These databases integrate hydrologic time-series data, landscape characteristics, and hydroecological metrics, providing tools to evaluate NWR-specific patterns related to habitat availability. The study, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, offers statistical and graphical descriptions of these datasets, which cover physiographic features, land cover, soil hydrologic properties, and regional runoff estimates. This work serves as a critical resource for understanding how human activities, climate variation, and hydrologic processes influence NWR ecosystems.
Status, biology, and conservation priorities for North America's eastern Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population
Eastern North America's Golden Eagle population, estimated at 1,000–2,500 individuals, has shown long-term declines but recent short-term increases post-DDT ban. This enigmatic and poorly understood population faces unique threats like incidental trap mortality and lead poisoning, unlike western populations threatened by wind turbines. The study, led by the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group (EGEWG), identifies critical knowledge gaps in their ecology, migration routes, and habitat use, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts to ensure long-term sustainability. Key findings include diverse breeding habitats ranging from tundra interfaces to disturbed wetlands, and complex migratory pathways with 'leapfrog' migration patterns. The research highlights the urgency of addressing demographic vulnerabilities and specific regional threats to protect this flagship species.
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