Overall Project Outcome and Results
Minnesota prairies reliably produce bioenergy resources which largely go untapped. This project sought management practices to promote wildlife and habitat diversity on future working prairies used for bioenergy in Minnesota. It combined harvested areas with refuges and monitored wildlife populations and bioenergy potential in Minnesota grasslands, while developing protocols for future long-term work.
Invasive carp species, including silver carp and bighead carp, are migrating north up the Mississippi River and pose threats to the native fish and aquatic ecosystems of Minnesota rivers and lakes where they can become established. While individual carp have been found in Minnesota, it is not presently believed that there are established breeding populations in the state.
We will describe habitat use, diet, and activity patterns of bobcats and fishers to understand why bobcats kill female fishers and identify potential solutions to reverse the fisher population decline.
Brown marmorated stink bug is a terrestrial invasive species in Minnesota that was first discovered in 2010 and has been expanding its range since. It is a generalist plant pest that attacks more than 300 species of plants in natural, agricultural, and horticultural settings and is known for its unpleasant odor, large numbers, and propensity for home invasion. Proactive management approaches are available and in development that can be used to slow and potentially control brown marmorated stink bug populations.
MAISRC will launch 10-14 high-priority projects aimed at solving Minnesota's AIS problems using a rigorous and collaborative process. The science will be delivered to end-users through strategic communication and outreach.
MAISRC will launch 12-16 new or continuation projects aimed at solving Minnesota’s AIS problems using a competitive RFP process, informed by an annual research needs assessment and stakeholder consultation.
On many public lands in northwest Minnesota, cattail growth has far exceeded the distribution recommended for optimum wetland wildlife habitat and a need for cattail control has become recognized. Cattails have also recently been demonstrated to have bioenergy potential.
Minnesota ranks #2 in hog production and #1 in sugar beet production in the U.S., generating about 11 million tons of pig manure and over one million tons of sugar processing wastes annually. Presently there are not cost-effective methods available to deal with these waste streams other than land application, which usually results in nutrient runoff into ground and surface water resources.
Though they are a relatively unnoticed group of species, native freshwater mussels are a critical part of river ecosystems because they provide a variety of important functions including improved water clarity, enhanced streambed stability, reduced downstream transport of contaminants, and creation of habitat for other aquatic life. However, mussel populations in Minnesota have declined in recent decades as a result of habitat destruction, pollution, land-use change, over-harvesting, and the introduction of exotic species.
Identify forest management actions and guidelines that maximize breeding season productivity across breeding cycle (nesting through post-fledgling) for three bird species of conservation concern: Golden-winged Warbler, Veery, and American Woodcock.
Black and Forster's tern populations have declined. Comprehensive assessment of distribution and breeding status will identify population limiting factors to inform best management practices and prioritize conservation and restoration.
The North Shore houses completely unique plant communities that are in danger of decline. This project will provide critical monitoring and invasive removal to conserve these rare and endangered plants.
Common carp, introduced from eastern Europe over a century ago, are an invasive species in Minnesota that adversely affect water quality and aquatic communities, particularly in shallow lakes and wetlands. While solutions for suppressing common carp reproduction and abundance are emerging, controlling the movement of common carp, and therefore preventing reinfestation, has so far proved difficult.
This project continues accelerated production of County Geologic Atlases to support informed management of water and mineral resources. This work is essential to sustainable management of water.
The Minnesota County Geologic Atlas program is an ongoing effort begun in 1979 that is being conducted jointly by the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Geological Survey and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This portion, called Part A and conducted by the Minnesota Geological Survey, collects geologic information to produce maps and databases that define aquifer boundaries and the connection of aquifers to the land surface and surface water resources.
Geologic atlases provide maps/databases essential for improved management of ground and surface water. This proposal will complete current projects and start new projects to equal about 10 complete atlases.
The Minnesota County Geologic Atlas program is an ongoing effort begun in 1982 that is being conducted jointly by the University of Minnesota's Minnesota Geological Survey and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The program collects information on the geology of Minnesota to create maps and reports depicting the characteristics and pollution sensitivity of Minnesota's ground-water resources.
We will collect long-term, species-specific plant data on pollinator forage quality and quantity. These data will be used to design an open-access web-based tool for land managers in Minnesota.
Sites contaminated with chlorinated industrial pollutants are a significant problem in Minnesota. We will determine the best way to stimulate bacteria for faster and more complete pollutant dechlorination.
Each year Minnesota municipal wastewater treatment plants generate large amounts of oily scum, concentrated liquid called centrate, and sludge. These waste streams are disposed of either in landfills or by burning or subjected to additional treatment. However, new technologies have shown potential to capture resource values from these waste products while lowering the treatment costs for these waste streams.
Create user-friendly, research-based energy storage guide and decision tools (print and web-based) for community-scale sites with renewable energy and do three geographically dispersed battery storage demonstration projects, through broad stakeholder-expert engagement.
DNR data show that fisher in Minnesota have declined 50% since 2000. Den sites may be limiting reproduction. We will test if den boxes can help the fisher population increase.
