Current and
Ongoing Research Projects:
Overview and Findings
Evaluating the Risk of Transfer of
Aquatic Nuisance Species by Watercraft Between the Great Lakes and
Mississippi River Basins (2005-06)
Since the 1800s, more than 160
aquatic nonindigenous species have been introduced into the Great
Lakes, with a similar number in the Mississippi River Basin. Though
species will continue to be introduced to drainage basins by both
intentional and accidental means, we can prevent further damage to
natural and structural resources by halting their spread between the
basins via the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This study seeks to
better understand the physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of source and receiving waters as well as
understanding ship practices, patterns and routes that can lead to the
spread of aquatic nuisance. When examined together, plans and a system
can be developed to identify suitable vessel management practices for
commercial navigation and recreation using risk management techniques.
FULL PROPOSAL
Methyl and Inorganic Mercury
Bioaccumulation in Populations of Red-eared Slider Turtles (Trachemys
scripta elegans) from Two Illinois River Floodplain Lakes (2005-06)
This study is investigating the
bioaccumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) and inorganic mercury (HgII)
in populations of red-eared slider turtles from two floodplain lakes
along the Illinois River with different management regimes. The
differences in management have led to differences in the abundance of
food types available to the turtles. The central question of this
project is whether the difference in diets of the two turtle
populations causes differences in MeHg and HgII bioaccumulation.
FULL
PROPOSAL
Slider Turtles, Climatic Change
and Conservation in the Mississippi and Illinois River Corridors in
West Central Illinois (2005-06)
This project is investigating the
impact of climatic change on the biota of the Illinois and Mississippi
rivers, and the impact of observed changes on human interactions with
the river systems. There is evidence that the numbers of red-eared
sliders has dramatically increased, possibly in response to changes in
climate. Because adult red-eared sliders feed heavily on aquatic
vegetation, an increase in the number of turtles may impact aquatic
vegetation.
FULL PROPOSAL
Long-Term Ecological Monitoring of
Riparian Forests at the National Great Rivers Research and Education
Center (2005-06)
In recent years, much attention has
focused on the management of riparian forests in the Midwest. Land use
practices have been scrutinized, and many federal and state agencies
have made protection of riparian areas a priority.
The focus of this study is to
characterize the long-term ecological processes in riparian forests in
an effort to develop a riparian forest ecosystem database and
effective management strategies for sustaining riparian forest
ecosystems.
FULL PROPOSAL
Strategic Renewal of Large
Floodplain Rivers: An Integrated Analysis (2005-06)
Reconnecting the Illinois River with
its floodplain in carefully selected areas could reduce the stages of
large, damaging floods; decrease the unnatural water level
fluctuations in the summer that currently damage floodplain
vegetation; and diversify and enhance some of the economies along the
river. Results from this study support the recommendations to enhance
the floodplain environment and provide natural storage in bottomlands
and uplands as well as fund acquisition of needed lands from willing
sellers that were made by the Interagency Floodplain Management Review
Committee (1994) following the 1993 flood in the Upper Mississippi
River. FULL PROPOSAL
Assessment of Aquatic Nuisance
Species Dispersal Barrier for the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
(2005-06)
In an effort to prevent the transfer
of harmful fishes between the Great Lakes and Mississippi basins, this
study is designed to assess and improve the performance of an electric
barrier by using hydrophones and antennas at the barrier in the
Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (Romeoville, Ill.) to detect movement
of transmitter-tagged fish. By increasing the power of the barrier by
50 percent, no tagged fish have been detected going through the
barrier.
