Professional Scientists

Wildlife research at the Illinois Natural History Survey helps to resolve important management problems as well as providing discoveries about the life histories and biology of many species. The range of research is striking. Some studies focus largely on individual species, such as the population dynamics and behavior of coyotes, red fox, wild turkey, a variety of songbirds, and bobwhite quail. These studies use radio-telemetry in combination with other research methods to determine the survival, behavior, and population change in relation to different habitat conditions. Information from these studies will directly impact management of the species involved and commonly evaluate the impact of that management on other species. Other research addresses issues at a broader geographic scale, such as the Gap Analysis Project, in which areas are identified with high biodiversity and no government protection. The results from this study will provide guidance to federal and state agencies on how best to protect the biodiversity of the landscape.

Some research in the Center focuses upon the development of new techniques, such as the ability to monitor bird migrations using radar or to remotely monitor wildlife with radio telemetry. Other research focuses on the plant communities themselves that are vital to wildlife. For example, one study addresses the effects of deer on plant communities, and other studies evaluate changes in community structure in wetland plant communities related to hydrology (including flooding) and geographic location. Another area of research for in the Center emphasizes wildlife health issues, such as Chronic Wasting Disease in white-tailed deer.

The long heritage of wildlife research at the INHS is continuing and changing, but the long term goal to serve wildlife and the citizens of Illinois continues unabated from the past.