Message from the Chief
David L. Thomas, Chief
Illinois Natural History Survey
We continue to look for ways of
better conveying the results of our research to a broad audience, and
this year's annual report (Fiscal year 1999, July 1998 through June 1999)
focuses on some aspects of our work of particular significance to our
state. In today's world of rapid communication and the fast turnaround
of information, it becomes a challenge for scientific institutions involved
in long-term research to adequately convey the results of their work.
We have attempted to do so in this report by summarizing the results of
many separate research projects that fall within certain topics. A brief
summary of individual research projects being conducted by Survey scientists
can be found on our Web page.
Some of the issues addressed in this report include invasive species, insect management, the Illinois River, biodiversity, restoration ecology, and the emerging issues of biotechnology and smart growth and sustainability. Invasive species remain an important topic of research as additional species continue to enter our state, and as other invasive species spread. Some of these species, such as purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, and zebra mussels, cause significant ecological changes where they occur as they tend to dominate once fully established. It is important that we understand not only the biology of each invasive species, but its interactions within the biological communities in which it becomes established. The establishment of one new species can have major effects throughout various trophic levels, and understanding these effects is important to our efforts to more effectively manage or restore ecosystems.
The general area of restoration ecology remains an important topic of research for Survey scientists. Two ongoing major prairie restoration efforts are occurring at Midewin and Savanna. Other major sites undergoing restoration efforts include Site M northwest of Springfield, and the Cache River in southern Illinois. Survey scientists are undertaking a number of significant projects at both sites. Survey scientists are also involved in various wetland restoration efforts and the research necessary to carry out effective restoration. The Illinois River watershed is also a focus of many research projects, and an area of intense interest by the State in restoration. The Illinois River was once one of the most biologically productive large river systems in the U.S. and the possibility remains of restoring much of this productivity back to the river. The challenge is to determine how to develop a productive biological system that has many other societal demands on it for commerce, recreation, flood control, and water supply.
As we move into the 21st century we will be addressing a variety of ever-growing environmental issues. Population growth and the expansion of our urban centers will put more pressure on our natural resources, will increase the demand for recreation, will shrink our prime farmland and create pressures for even higher yields, and may continue to increase runoff to local water bodies. Biotechnology will gain in importance, and the INHS has to be prepared to do the research that will address potential impacts on our biotic resources. As we continue to disturb natural ecosystems we open the opportunities for invasive species, and significant research will be needed to determine the impacts of these new invaders as well as to determine possible control mechanisms. Future ecosystems will have to be managed and effective management will require a strong base of knowledge provided by researchers from many disciplines.
Faunistic surveys need to continue to help us better understand what is happening to the flora and fauna within the state. We are pleased that we will be publishing a book this year on the amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. The bad news here is that the distribution of many species in our state has significantly shrunk over the last 20 to 30 years. We are also working toward another book on the fishes of Illinois. Not only have the distributions of some of these species changed since 1979, but a few species have been lost from the state and a number of additional exotics have been added.