Tag Forest & wildlife ecology
Study bolsters bats’ reputation as mosquito devourers
New UW–Madison research conducted throughout Wisconsin suggests that bats may indeed be effective exterminators of mosquitoes.
CWD prions discovered in soil near Wisconsin mineral licks for the first time
New research out of the UW–Madison has, for the first time, detected prions responsible for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in samples taken from sites where deer congregate.
Bird observing course an experience in finding passion for nature
In the Birds of Southern Wisconsin course, students must sometimes brave the elements to collect observations of Wisconsin’s overwintering and migratory birds.
Tribal forests in Wisconsin are more diverse, sustainable
Researchers found that many of the differences between tribal and nontribal forests can be traced back to the lower density of deer on the tribal lands.
More homes built near wild lands leading to greater wildfire risk
New research out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison shows that a flurry of homebuilding near wild areas since 1990 has greatly increased the number of homes at risk from wildfires while increasing the costs associated with fighting those fires in increasingly dense developments.
Aldo Leopold’s writings given voice March 3 at UW Arboretum
The 13th annual Madison Reads Leopold event on Saturday, March 3, will feature a reading of the influential conservationist’s “A Sand County Almanac” and other writings.
Urban foxes and coyotes learn to set aside their differences and coexist
Diverging from centuries of established behavioral norms, red fox and coyote have gone against their wild instincts and learned to coexist in the urban environment of Madison and the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus.
Invasive worms spreading in Arboretum forests, limited effects so far
Despite Asian jumping worms’ known appetite for leaf litter and tendency to change soil nutrients, researchers found limited evidence of changes to vegetation in areas where the worms have invaded the UW–Madison Arboretum.
Scouting the eagles: Evidence that protecting nests aids reproduction
Reproduction among bald eagles in a remote national park in Minnesota was aided when their nests were protected from human disturbance, according to a new study.
Lake Michigan waterfowl botulism deaths linked to warm waters, algae
UW-Madison researchers, with the help of citizen scientists, tracked bird deaths along Lake Michigan, and found that warm waters and algae apparently promoted the growth of botulism toxin-producing bacteria that caused them.
UW–Madison professor led fight to ban pesticide DDT 45 years ago
Joseph Hickey took a brave stance — given Wisconsin’s deep roots in agriculture — by showing a connection between pesticides and declining bird populations.
Monkey study shows a path to monitoring endangered species
“We think this may be one of the most comprehensive efforts to analyze the data monitoring needs for ensuring the survival of an endangered animal,” says Karen Strier, who has observed muriquis in Brazil for 35 years.
Decades-past logging still threatens spotted owls in national forests
Researchers say despite protections put in place in the 1990s, owls may still be paying an “extinction debt” that was created by historical logging of large trees.
Tropical trees show coexistence is path to diversity
The findings confirm that climate seasonality plays a role in the higher biodiversity scientists observe near the equator, but they highlight that this coexistence mechanism also varies with latitude.
Government transparency limited when it comes to America’s conserved private lands
“It’s difficult or impossible to advance planning, monitoring and evaluation without good information about where private land conservation is happening,” says UW researcher Adena Rissman.
Aldo Leopold’s words once again broadcast to the state
In celebration of Earth Day, one of his successors will read portions of conservationist and former UW professor Aldo Leopold’s radio addresses that originally aired more than 80 years ago.
Termite gut holds a secret to breaking down plant biomass
In the Microbial Sciences Building at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the incredibly efficient eating habits of a fungus-cultivating termite are surprising even to those well acquainted with the insect’s natural gift for turning wood to dust.
Yellow fever killing thousands of monkeys in Brazil
In a vulnerable forest in southeastern Brazil, where the air was once thick with the guttural chatter of brown howler monkeys, there now exists silence. Yellow fever, a virus carried by mosquitoes and endemic to Africa and South America, has killed thousands of monkeys since late 2016.
Spring is prescribed fire season for UW–Madison prairies
The smoke floating above the University of Wisconsin–Arboretum today signals that the prescribed fire season is underway at the Arboretum and Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Forest ‘islands’ offer refuge to wintering birds
UW-Madison researchers studying forest microclimates show that these refuges may mean the difference between life and death for the black-capped chickadee and its kin.