Missouri Forest Ecosystem Project

Forest Vegetation Study.

This is a massive study delving into the reactions of all forest plants - from wildflowers to trees - in the nine compartments. Scientists will analyze the numbers, sizes and types of vegetation to determine which forestry practices best meet various land and resource management objectives. This study is unique in that it looks at the effects of treatment over the whole compartment, rather than just individual trees or small groups of trees.

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Cowbird Parasitism. Photo by Maslowski

Forest Interior Songbird Study

This study is being conducted to determine the effect of forest management on forest interior birds. Many of these birds that nest in Missouri forests and winter in the tropics are slowly decreasing in population. This is caused partially by loss of habitat in forests permanently converted to farmland or development in both Missouri and tropical areas. MOFEP scientists will study how temporary openings from harvests affect songbird populations. Scientists also will look at parasitism of songbird nests by cowbirds, predation and the reproductive success of songbirds.

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Oak Canopy Insect Study.

Oaks are Missouri's most valuable trees, not only from a wood products standpoint, but also for wildlife food and cover. Oak leaves also are palatable to a number of insects that, in turn, feed a number of birds and animals higher on the food chain. By learning more about the insects that feed on oaks, scientists can understand the natural controls and population cycles of these insects. Of particular concern is the spread of the gypsy moth, which could prove to be a major threat to Missouri's forests in the years to come.

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Hard and Soft Mast Study.

Mast is wildlife food. Hard mast consists mostly of acorns and other kinds of nuts. Soft mast consists of fleshy fruits and berries. Previous studies have shown that unevenaged management results in reduced mast for wildlife, while evenaged management result in increased mast production. However, no such data exists for Missouri, making this study of particular importance to MOFEP.

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Small Mammal Study.

So far, small mammal research in the Ozark forests has been limited. Scientists are well versed on the effects of forest management on large mammals, but little is known about rodents and other smaller mammals. MOFEP scientists will observe the populations of such mammals as the white-footed mouse, eastern chipmunk, and southeastern shrew as part of this study.

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Reptile and Amphibian Study.

Salamanders and snakes, while not the most popular creatures, are a significant part of the forest community. Some reptiles that may be indicators of habitat and environmental changes - such as the four-toed salamander, broadhead skink and redbelly snake - will be given special attention.

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Forest Litter Invertebrate Study.

While the leaves that cover a forest floor appear to be dead, they are literally crawling with life. In fact, more than 60,000 plants, invertebrates and animals can be found in one square meter of forest litter in Missouri's southeastern Ozarks. These mites, spiders, pseudoscorpions and insects play an important role in nutrient cycling, while they serve as food for many other creatures. MOFEP researchers will study the populations of these important decomposers as an indicator od habitat change.

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Soil Productivity Study.

Just under the forest litter lies perhaps the most overlooked component of an ecosystem - the soil. Most Missouri forests sinks roots deeply into the soil, depending on it for essential nutrients. This portion of the project will study the soil of watersheds in detail, to determine the relationships between soil and forest health. Researchers are interested in controlling erosion and maintaining or increasing biodiversity.

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Genetic Diversity Study.

Imagine everyone in the world looking and acting identically. Everyone would eat the same food, want the same mate, and get the same illnesses. However, variation in our genes makes us different. The same variation works in plants, allowing some to do better than others in certain environments. Having adequate genetic diversity is crucial for plants to survive climatic and environmental changes. This study will allow researchers to determine what effect, if any, management techniques have on the inherent genetic variation in certain kinds of trees.

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Nutrient Cycling Study.

All living organisms require sulfur for survival, and MOFEP scientists will observe sulfur levels in the soil to determine if any of the forest management techniques contribute to permanent ecological change. Some attention also will be given to carbon cycling.

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Armillaria Root Rot Study.

Armillaria is a fungus that is thought to contribute heavily to oak decline and mortality, but it is also critically involved with the recycling of nutrients by decomposition. However, no formal study has ever traced the occurrence and distribution of Armillaria in the Ozarks. Knowledge about this fungus will help explain the course of forest health in the future.

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Silvicultural Data Management Study.

A computerized system will be designed as part of this study to synthesize information generated by different aspects of the project so it can easily be used in the future as a reference. This type of data management will provide a way to piece all of these studies together, giving MOFEP scientists a comprehensive look at the overall project.

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Last Updated: Mar. 2, 1995