National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) |
|
 |
|
|
||
Field Station Leader: Dr.
Jimmy D. Taylor, USDA/APHIS/WS Research at the NWRC Olympia field station is focused on developing feasible tools and strategies to resolve problems associated with wildlife damage to forest resources. Reforestation efforts are greatly hindered because of the cutting and gnawing of seedlings by a variety of rodents, and browsing by ungulates. Girdling of older trees also causes substantial mortality or subjects trees to subsequent disease and insect infestations. Wildlife, particularly mammalian herbivores, can impede attempts to establish native plants to increase forest diversity, improve riparian areas, re-vegetate disturbed sites, restore endangered or threatened plants, or to create or improve habitat for wildlife. Foraging wildlife can be extremely detrimental if animals browse on plants before seedlings are well established, or if foraging is continuous or intense. Native plant projects are often destined to fail because there are limited foraging options for wildlife at planting locations. At present, the research at the NWRC Olympia field station focuses on efforts to alleviate damage inflicted by bear, beaver, deer and elk, mice, mountain beaver, pocket gopher, porcupine, and voles. Nonlethal management measures are a priority, and applied studies are conducted to develop new products (e.g., repellents, attractants, delivery systems), assess efficacy, nontarget impacts, and long-term consequences of new or existing management techniques, and investigate forest management options to reduce resource vulnerability. Because new tools cannot be created without first having a fundamental understanding of the problem, research of a more basic nature also is conducted. Station personnel conduct studies to elucidate the role of chemical senses and experience on foraging behaviors, and perform field research to clarify the environmental and ecological factors influencing the occurrence, dispersal, and population densities of targeted species. Results are used by a broad array of managers developing management plans protecting forest resources from damage by wildlife. (More on research at the field station) Facilities The NWRC Olympia field station consists of an office/laboratory building and separate animal facilities. The animal facility enables scientists to house and conduct research with most mammals commonly found in the Pacific Northwest. Rodents can be maintained in individual pens for chemosensory assays or held in larger arenas which provide natural environments for behavioral work. Similar facilities are available for scientists to work with deer. These facilities have been completely renovated over the past few years for the well being of research animals, to enhance research activities, and to increase safety of employees. Pens are designed to permit flexibility to ensure we could adjust to any special requirements posed by animals held at the facilities and to enable scientists to adapt facilities for experimental paradigms. The station's expertise and productivity are further enhanced by collaborative efforts within NWRC, as well as, with universities, state and federal agencies and the private sector. Additionally, facilities available through collaborative scientists further enhance Olympia scientists' abilities to conduct additional animal research and laboratory analysis. * the official "Research Project" that describes the primary focus of research performed at this NWRC field station. The Project Web pages, in turn, describe goals, objectives and accomplishments of the research. All Project Web pages are also listed under their respective Research Program. Wildlife and management problems/solutions addressed at the Olympia,
WA, field station: |
Last Modified: October 9, 2007