Wildlife Research

Wildlife research at the Jones Center. The longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem at Ichauway supports a diverse fauna including terrestrial species such as Sherman's fox squirrel, Bachman's sparrow, and the gopher tortoise, to semi-aquatic species such as the striped newt and gopher frog that rely on seasonal ponds within the forest matrix. Riparian areas along Ichawaynochaway Creek and the Flint River are host to the rare alligator snapping turtle, Barbour's map turtle and American alligators. On a larger scale, the longleaf pine forests and associated hardwood hammocks at Ichauway support populations of medium to large carnivores such as gray fox, bobcat and coyote. Populations of many of the species associated with the longleaf pine ecosystem are in decline throughout the southeastern U.S. The extensive acreage of intact longleaf pine forest at Ichauway offers a unique opportunity to study the ecology of these species in a natural setting and to examine wildlife responses to land management practices. In addition, the mosaic of natural communities at Ichauway within the larger agricultural landscape provides the opportunity to examine aspects of wildlife ecology at a forest/agriculture interface.

Wildlife research at the Jones Center focuses on questions related to wildlife/habitat relationships, predation and predator management, and threatened and endangered species. Our research projects range from observational studies to better understand conservation needs of select species to experiments designed to illuminate mechanisms that regulate wildlife populations and communities.

Specific projects related to these topics include studies examining the functional role of predators in the ecosystem, the effects of restoration and adaptive management on the herpetofauna of seasonal ponds, and the impacts of fire management on small mammals and herpetofauna.