In 2000, SREL Outreach educators reached 50 adults with programs about PARC (Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation), a national conservation group co-founded by SREL in 1998.

From 2000 to 2007, SREL Outreach educators and scientists reached more than 100,000 Aiken county residents with programs and events. Topics included local biodiversity, watershed values, and contaminants in the environment.

Alligator study (GA)-- Alligators undergo large shifts in habitat use throughout their lives. In inland systems such as at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, seasonal wetlands provide ideal nesting and nursery habitat for reproductive females and juveniles, while sub-adults and adult males use the more permanent riverine systems. Geneticists and a graduate student at SREL, in collaboration with the Jones Center ecologists, are investigating the alligator population at Ichauway, particularly the overland travel between rivers and isolated wetlands. Findings will lead to new insights on the importance of protecting seasonal wetlands, which are a threatened habitat in the region. For more info, go to http://www.jonesctr.org/research/wildlife_research/alligator_metapopulation_study.html

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are the most widely distributed North American felid, ranging throughout most of the United States and Canada into southern Mexico. They are solitary carnivores with few social interactions other than those resulting from mating and parentage. Male bobcats inhabit larger home ranges than females, and home range sizes and amount of overlap may influence many other aspects of bobcat ecology. SREL geneticists and ecologists collaborated with other researchers to develop of a panel of species-specific microsatellite markers that will enable study of the relationship between kinship, dispersal, and spatial distribution in the bobcat. These genetic tools will also facilitate future research on population genetics, population structure, and mating system(s) of bobcats.                   Back to GA/SC

In 2002, SREL Outreach educators reached 172 students at three Allendale County schools with programs on the environment.                            Back to GA/SC

Population declines prompted listing of the Wood Stork as a federally endangered bird species in 1984. SREL ecologists sent ground crews into Wood Stork various wetland foraging sites in Burke County to sample them and determine prey types available, as well as habitat characteristics like percent open water, canopy coverage, and water chemistry. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.    Back to GA/SC

Population declines prompted listing of the Wood Stork as a federally endangered bird species in 1984. SREL ornithologists monitored Wood Stork breeding success (number of fledged young per nesting attempt) per year at the Black Hammock colony, Kings Bay Naval Base colony, and Durango Paper colony in Camden County. At Black Hammock, researchers examined activity patterns of adults on nests, including night observations. Activity patterns examined included nest attendance, number of feeding/watering/nest material trips per day, time spent away from the nest on foraging trips, arrivals and departures at nest relative to time-of-day/tide level/age of nestling. Researchers climbed the nest trees after the Wood Stork chicks had hatched to attach uniquely numbered leg bands to examine the movements of known-aged individuals, and collected regurgitated prey items to determine prey types consumed in the local area;  regurgitated prey items and a small sample of nestling feathers to analyze of mercury and other metals. Airplanes were used to follow nesting storks from their colony in this county to foraging areas to determine how far they traveled and the habitat types they used. This monitoring provides data for scientists to compare annual success among years and the progress these birds are making toward species recovery. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.

National Park surveys--For many of our National Parks in the Southeast and elsewhere, surprisingly little is known about the reptile and amphibian species that occur in the parks. SREL herpetologists conducted surveys for the National Park Service in 16 sites. For more info, go to http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/nps/npshome.htm.

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National Park surveys--For many of our National Parks in the Southeast and elsewhere, surprisingly little is known about the reptile and amphibian species that occur in the parks. SREL herpetologists conducted surveys for the National Park Service in 16 sites. For more info, go to http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/nps/npshome.htm.

SREL ecologists examine attendance patterns of Wood Storks at the Priest Landing roost in Chatham County to determine if storks were active (leaving to forage) nocturnally. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.

Many SREL ecotoxicologists focus of the effects that contaminants in the environment have of natural plant and animal populations. Mercury contamination is an urgent environmental problem threatening the health and stability of coastal salt marshes worldwide. Identifying the effects mercury on biota will help researchers develop management plans to preserve the quality of sensitive coastal habitats. SREL graduate students are investigating the transfer of mercury from mothers to babies in Carolina diamondback terrapins (Malaclemmys terrapin centrata ) at four sites along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts. For more info, go to http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/staff/AGreenProjects.htm.

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National Parks—chytrid fungus survey: A recently identified chytridiomycete fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is a suspected cause of amphibian disease and subsequent population declines in many parts of the world, including Australia, Central America, and the western U.S. The purpose of this study by SREL ecologists is to determine whether chytrid fungus is present in amphibians in southeastern national parks, specifically Congaree Swamp NP and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. For more info, go to http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/projects/BRothermelProjectsSENP.htm.

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Back to GA/SC

SREL wetland biologists have decades of experience in studying the ecology of wetlands. Ecologists generally recognize the value of seasonal wetlands, but these wetlands are often ignored in landscape management decisions and practices, including golf course design. SREL researchers sampled the amphibians and reptiles that use wetland habitats on five local golf courses for three years in the sandhills of South Carolina and Georgia, and compared these survey data to concurrent surveys at 11 nearby (off-course) seasonal wetlands. For more info, go to http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/projects/DScott/GolfCourseWetlands.htm.

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Back to GA/SC

Back to GA/SC

Back to GA/SC

National Parks—chytrid fungus survey: A recently identified chytridiomycete fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is a suspected cause of amphibian disease and subsequent population declines in many parts of the world, including Australia, Central America, and the western U.S. The purpose of this study by SREL ecologists is to determine whether chytrid fungus is present in amphibians in southeastern national parks, specifically Congaree Swamp NP and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. For more info, go to http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/projects/BRothermelProjectsSENP.htm.

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National Park surveys--For many of our National Parks in the Southeast and elsewhere, surprisingly little is known about the reptile and amphibian species that occur in the parks. SREL herpetologists conducted surveys for the National Park Service in 16 sites. For more info, go to http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/nps/npshome.htm.

SREL Outreach educators and scientists have presented programs on reptiles, amphibians, and animal adaptations to more than 500 students at six Fulton County schools and organizations.

National Parks—chytrid fungus survey: A recently identified chytridiomycete fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is a suspected cause of amphibian disease and subsequent population declines in many parts of the world, including Australia, Central America, and the western U.S. The purpose of this study by SREL ecologists is to determine whether chytrid fungus is present in amphibians in southeastern national parks, specifically Congaree Swamp NP and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. For more info, go to http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/projects/BRothermelProjectsSENP.htm.

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Population declines prompted listing of the Wood Stork as a federally endangered bird species in 1984. SREL ornithologists monitored Wood Stork breeding success (number of fledged young per nesting attempt) per year at the St. Simon's Island colony in Glynn County. Researchers examined activity patterns of adults on nests, including night observations. Activity patterns examined included nest attendance, number of feeding/watering/nest material trips per day, time spent away from the nest on foraging trips, arrivals and departures at nest relative to time-of-day/tide level/age of nestling. Researchers climbed the nest trees after the Wood Stork chicks had hatched to attach uniquely numbered leg bands to examine the movements of known-aged individuals, and collected regurgitated prey items to determine prey types consumed in the local area;  regurgitated prey items and a small sample of nestling feathers to analyze of mercury and other metals. During the Wood Stork banding project, scientists collected a small sample of nestling blood to analyze for genetics, allowing a comparison of genetic signatures in various colonies to assess whether parents shift colonies from year to year. Airplanes were used to follow nesting storks from their colony in this county to foraging areas to determine how far they traveled and the habitat types they used. This monitoring provides data for scientists to compare annual success among years and the progress these birds are making toward species recovery. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.

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From 2000 to 2003, SREL Outreach educators presented programs on reptiles, amphibians, and animal adaptations to nearly 1000 students in 35 programs to five Gwinnette County schools.

National Parks—chytrid fungus survey: A recently identified chytridiomycete fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is a suspected cause of amphibian disease and subsequent population declines in many parts of the world, including Australia, Central America, and the western U.S. The purpose of this study by SREL ecologists is to determine whether chytrid fungus is present in amphibians in southeastern national parks, specifically Congaree Swamp NP and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. For more info, go to http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/projects/BRothermelProjectsSENP.htm.

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Back to GA/SC

SREL Outreach educators and scientists have presented programs on reptiles, amphibians, and animal adaptations to 400 adults and students at hospital and environmental education events.

Population declines prompted listing of the Wood Stork as a federally endangered bird species in 1984. SREL ornithologists monitored Wood Stork breeding success (number of fledged young per nesting attempt) per year at the Birdsville colony and Chew Mill Pond colony in Jenkins County. At Birdsville, researchers examined activity patterns of adults on nests, including night observations. Activity patterns examined included nest attendance, number of feeding/watering/nest material trips per day, time spent away from the nest on foraging trips, arrivals and departures at nest relative to time-of-day/tide level/age of nestling. Wood Storks were captured with rocket nets and radio or satellite transmitters were attached so that a field crew could examine movement patterns of these far-ranging birds. Researchers climbed the nest trees after the Wood Stork chicks had hatched to attach uniquely numbered leg bands to examine the movements of known-aged individuals, and collected regurgitated prey items to determine prey types consumed in the local area;  regurgitated prey items and a small sample of nestling feathers to analyze of mercury and other metals. During the Wood Stork banding project, scientists collected a small sample of nestling blood to analyze for genetics, allowing a comparison of genetic signatures in various colonies to assess whether parents shift colonies from year to year. Airplanes were used to follow nesting storks from their colony in this county to foraging areas to determine how far they traveled and the habitat types they used. This monitoring provides data for scientists to compare annual success among years and the progress these birds are making toward species recovery. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.   Back to GA/SC

SREL Outreach educators have presented programs on reptiles, amphibians, and animal adaptations to students and adults at Lyman Hall Elementary, Frank Long Elementary, and Fort Stewart.    Back to GA/SC

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SREL Outreach educators have presented programs on reptiles, amphibians, and animal adaptations to 945 students at McDuffie County health fairs, EcoMeets, and libraries.                Back to GA/SC

Population declines prompted listing of the Wood Stork as a federally endangered bird species in 1984. SREL ornithologists monitored Wood Stork breeding success (number of fledged young per nesting attempt) per year at the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge colony in McIntosh County. Researchers examined activity patterns of adults on nests, including night observations. Activity patterns examined included nest attendance, number of feeding/watering/nest material trips per day, time spent away from the nest on foraging trips, arrivals and departures at nest relative to time-of-day/tide level/age of nestling. Wood Storks were captured with rocket nets and radio or satellite transmitters were attached so that a field crew could examine movement patterns of these far-ranging birds. Researchers climbed the nest trees after the Wood Stork chicks had hatched to attach uniquely numbered leg bands to examine the movements of known-aged individuals, and collected regurgitated prey items to determine prey types consumed in the local area;  regurgitated prey items and a small sample of nestling feathers to analyze of mercury and other metals. During the Wood Stork banding project, scientists collected a small sample of nestling blood to analyze for genetics, allowing a comparison of genetic signatures in various colonies to assess whether parents shift colonies from year to year. Airplanes were used to follow nesting storks from their colony in this county to foraging areas to determine how far they traveled and the habitat types they used. This monitoring provides data for scientists to compare annual success among years and the progress these birds are making toward species recovery. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.

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In 2001 SREL Outreach educators presented three programs on reptiles, amphibians, and animal adaptations to 44 students at Columbus High School.  Back to GA/SC

Back to GA/SC

In 1997, the City of Augusta, Georgia, initiated the development of a “Constructed Wetlands” project to naturally treat effluents from treatment facilities in south Augusta before release into the Savannah River. Because this site is located adjacent to Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, concern arose that birds attracted to the artificial wetlands may pose an increased risk of bird-aircraft strikes. Since 1998, SREL ecologists and ornithologists have conducted studies of birds in the vicinity of the airport, including aerial surveys for waterbirds and analyses of the movement patterns of birds in general. SREL personnel also have worked with city utility and airport officials to develop strategies for managing the wetlands in such a way as to minimize the attractiveness of these wetlands to birds.

In the southeastern U.S., the U.S. Department of Defense has extensive land holdings in the Fall Line region, along the interface between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont provinces. Throughout this region, there are extensive areas of sandhills, which support a unique flora and fauna, including a suite of threatened and endangered plant and animal species (TES). SREL plant ecologists have been studying the effects of forest management practices and military training activities on ten TES plants of the Fall Line sandhills. Researchers are combining studies of the population ecology of these species with habitat modeling, identification of potential additional habitats within a GIS framework, and experimental reintroductions to test effects of contrasting forest management and disturbance conditions on TES species' survival and growth. This research is being conducted at Ft. Benning and Ft. Gordon, as well as on the Savannah River Site, and is funded by SERDP (Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program). For more info go to http://www.serdp.org/research/CS/CS-1302.pdf.

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Swamp Forest Studies--Since the 1980s, SREL ecologists have been studying swamp forests, including seed production of bald cypress and water tupelo trees, dispersal and germination, and seedling growth and survival. Scientists are particularly interests in comparing natural swamp forests along free-flowing rivers to forests along rivers that have been dammed, such as the Savannah River on the GA/SC border. These bottomland hardwood forests and bald cypress-water tupelo swamps are abundant along the floodplains of major rivers throughout the southeastern US. In Appling and Wayne counties in GA, forest vegetation along the Altamaha River is being studied for comparison to the Savannah. For more info, go to http://lmer.marsci.uga.edu/savannah.html.   Back to GA/SC

Population declines prompted listing of the Wood Stork as a federally endangered bird species in 1984. SREL biologists used airplanes to follow nesting storks from their colony in this county to foraging areas to determine how far they traveled and the habitat types they used. For more info go to http://www.uga.edu/srel/stork.htm.

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