Research Emphasis

Marva Gingrich, USFWS Outdoor Recreation Planner at MNWR,
displays a banded duck as part of the Refuge's annual duck banding program.
USFWS Photo

The Institute promotes research designed to understand natural systems, to evaluate public use and environmental education strategies, and to support land management decisions in an applied research setting. Our major emphasis areas include:

• Geographic Information Systems
  • Inventory of habitat types and land uses.
  • Assessment of restoration effectiveness/impacts.
  • Documenting spatial and temporal aspects of wetland and upland restoration.

• Hydrology and Biogeochemistry
  • Surface water flows and groundwater conditions.
  • Effect of present and future impoundments.
  • Soil and water chemistry analysis.
  • Effects of upgradient sources of chemicals.

• Invasive Species, Unique Habitats, and Threatened and Endangered Species
  • Biology and management of invasive wetland plant and animal species, such as purple loosestrife and carp.
  • Assessment and development of control strategies.

• Human Dimensions
  • Development of the Crusoe Conservation Center.
  • Assess public sentiment.
  • Promote wildlife and wetland conservation.
  • Improve the existing Visitor Center activities at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.

• Biological and Wildlife
  • Effects of management on wildlife.
  • Gather baseline information on waterfowl and avian nesting densities and productivity.
  • Landscape assessment of spring and fall staging of waterfowl, shorebirds, and neotropical migrants.
  • Assessment of biotic diversity involving resident species, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and insects.
  • Identification of unique habitats and species, and factors contributing to their maintenance and enhancement.

Currently Seeking Researchers For:

• Analysis of Public Use and Education within the MWC.
• Analysis of use of passages by wildlife under or over the NY State Thruway.

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