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“The future of black bear conservation hinges on the ability of humans and bears to coexist. To achieve this goal, wildlife managers will need an effective means of identifying areas with the greatest risk of human–bear interactions.”
- American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in Virginia have been recovering in recent decades after almost being completely eradicated from the state. As black bear populations increase, so too does their interaction with humans.
- In order to understand the areas that have the highest probability of human–black bear interactions, researchers analyzed spatial and environmental data from 2008–2015 in western Virginia.
- Their results demonstrated that small and medium sized towns that were close to major roads, forested areas, rivers, and hay fields had the highest probability of human – black bear interactions.
- The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources may use the results from this study to strategically implement management plans in areas with higher probabilities of interactions. This proactive management approach may reduce potential negative interactions, property damage, and other conflicts with black bears.
Read the full article by Katherine Malpeli, Joseph Kolowski, and Jaime Sajecki from George Mason University, the Smithsonian – Mason School of Conservation, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources here.
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“The imperiled species we evaluated lost the least amount of habitat (3.6%) on federal lands, whereas losses on private lands without conservation easements were more than twice as high (8.1%).”
- Habitat loss is a leading cause of species decline worldwide.
- Understanding the drivers of habitat loss and identifying mechanisms for reducing losses is critical to biodiversity conservation.
- To better understand habitat loss under different types of land ownership, researchers analyzed more than 30 years of satellite data and measured the amount of habitat lost for 24 threatened and endangered species across the United States.
- Results showed that habitat loss for imperiled species was greatest on non-protected private lands and lowest on federally owned land.
- While these results demonstrate the conservation value of federal lands, they also highlight the need to increase habitat protection on private lands. As most protected federal land is concentrated in the Western US, the need for private land conservation is critical for the conservation of threatened species in the eastern US.
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"Floral plantings can promote pollinators and predators within commercial agroecosystems, while limiting disruption to growers.”
- The populations of many insects, including important pollinators and pest-suppressing predators, are in decline due in part to changes in agricultural practices.
- Researchers planted a high-diversity wildflower seed mix in the margins of conventionally managed potato fields in Minnesota to examine if they could host pollinating and predatory insects in an agricultural system.
- The field margins planted with flowers had nearly 60% more pollinators and significantly more predatory insects than the unplanted weedy margins, however, the number of pollinators and predatory insects within the adjacent potato crops was unchanged.
- These results indicate that wildflower plantings in agricultural field margins can increase habitat for insect pollinators and predators, but they do not necessarily increase the ecosystem services of these insects in adjacent fields.
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Image credits:
Bluebird on goldenrod by Charlotte Lorick (header), Black Bear (Ursus americanus) by Brigette W. (top), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) by Bernadette Rigley (middle), Monarch Butterfly on MIlkweed (Danaus plexippus, Asclepias spp.) by Jennifer Davis (bottom).
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Watch the Recording of VWL'S Annual Meeting
Missed our Annual Meeting on February 25th? We recorded the meeting and have posted it on our website so you can hear the latest updates about our projects and research programs: https://www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/newsletter/vwl-annual-meeting-2021/
All of the resources and links mentioned throughout the presentation can be viewed and copied in the chat box alongside the video of the presentations. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us anytime at SCBIVWL@si.edu.
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INTRODUCING JUSTIN PROCTOR
Justin joined the VWL Team in February as our Piedmont Grassland Bird Initiative Coordinator. Justin will be organizing a new collaborative program with the Piedmont Environmental Council to promote grassland bird conservation management on working lands.
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INTRODUCING ERIN THADY
Erin will be joining the VWL Team in mid-March 2021. As our new VWL Survey Coordinator, she will be coordinating VWL's biodiversity monitoring surveys and other research programs. She will also serve as a liaison between the VWL research team and our volunteer and landowner community.
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SPOTTED LANTERNFLY WEBINAR
Tuesday, March 30, 1-2PM EST
Join us to learn about the status of the spotted lanternfly in Virginia. Kyle Rhodes, Spotted Lanternfly Crew Supervisor at VA Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will provide background on how this pest is moving and what we can do to prevent the spread.
Register here for this free webinar.
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THE QUEST TO UNDERSTAND (AND MANAGE) INVASIVE PHRAGMITES
Tuesday, March 16, 7-8pm
SERC ecologists Melissa McCormick and Dennis Whigham will delve into the latest science based on more than a decade of Phragmites research at SERC. They will also highlight efforts by scientists and local citizens to link the ecology of Phragmites with efforts to manage it, and discuss public perceptions of this not-so-friendly European visitor.
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Native Plant Highlight: Broomsedege (Andropogon virginicus)
Broomsedege (Andropogon virginicus), also called broomsedge bluestem, is a warm-season perennial grass that grows on old fields, pastures, and early-successional sites across Virginia. It grows in bunches 2 to 4 feet high, and develops a golden-orange color in the late fall that can make broomsedge an attractive winter ornamental plant...... Read the entire highlight here!
As part of Virginia Working Landscapes' Native Plant Watch project, we are sharing native plant highlights with contributions from our many collaborators and friends. To read more visit www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/native-plant-watch
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About Us
Virginia Working Landscapes is a program convened by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) to promote the conservation of native biodiversity and encourage the sustainable use of working landscapes through research, education and outreach.
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VWL is supported by private philanthropy and our work is made possible by the generous contributions from our community. Donate today to help support our research, education and outreach efforts.
The Smithsonian Institution is a 501(c)(3). All contributions are tax deductible.
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Contact us!
540.635.0038 | SCBIVWL@si.edu
Covid-19 Update | VWL is following the Smithsonian guidelines regarding Covid-19. Please check for updates on our website at www.vaworkinglandscapes.org.
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