Montezuma Wetlands Complex
Research Institute
Ongoing and Completed Studies
Ongoing Studies
Current investigations underway include:
Invasive species control:
USFWS Photo
Dr. Bernd Blossey (Cornell) is investigating biological control
agents for non-indigenous invasive species within the Complex. Dr.
Blossey and his associates are now establishing 20 long term monitoring
stations to assess changes in vegetation and wildlife use of treated and
untreated areas.
High marsh wildlife values:
Dr. John Waud and Dr.
Larry Buckley (Rochester Institute of Technology) have established
several marsh monitoring plots and pitfall arrays in the high marsh on
the Montezuma NWR to assess wildlife values of this cattail dominated
site. This long term monitoring project will assist in the development
of a management strategy for the area.
Grassland nesting birds:
Dr Chris Norment (SUNY
Brockport) completed his study last year of grassland nesting birds, the
results of which will assist in developing management strategies for
grasslands in the Complex.
GIS:
Dr. Steve Smith (Cornell) is working under a
Cooperative Agreement with the Complex to develop GIS (geographic
information system) layers and a habitat inventory of the Wetlands
Complex. The Montezuma NWR, NY State Dept. of Environmental
Conservation, and Ducks Unlimited have contributed funding and in-kind
services in support of this effort.
Wood ducks:
Dr. Paul Sherman (Cornell) is continuing
his work investigating wood duck nesting biology on the Montezuma NWR.
Controlled burning:
Laura Mitchell (Cornell) recently finished her work on fire
ecology in old fields. The results allow the Complex and other land
managers to re-assess prescribed fire prescriptions and grassland treatments
to make them more effective.
Contaminants:
Dr. Jim McKenna (USGS/BRD Tunison Lab) completed his work last
year on assessing community differences between restored and natural wetland sites.
Dr. McKenna has begun a new investigation comparing communities under various
contaminant levels.
Wetland restoration:
Sheila Sleggs, Montezuma Wetlands Complex Coordinator, will
be completing her 5 year re-assessment of long-term monitoring plots designed to
assess changes in wetland communities resulting from restoration activities.
Rails:
Dr. Mike Haramis (Patuxent) is continuing his work with migratory sora and
Virginia rails in the Complex. In the past Mike was also involved in studying the
effects of green tree reservoir management on the Montezuma NWR.
Avian productivity:
Eastern Bluebird chick about to be banded
Photo by Julian Thomas
John VanNiel (Finger Lakes Community College) will be implementing
the second year of the
MAPS program
(Monitoring Avian Productivity and
Survivorship) in the Complex with the assistance of trained volunteers.
Osprey:
Mike Allen (NYDEC) is using radio telemetry to monitor movements of
Osprey and is also implementing a monitoring program of the Seneca Meadows
Landfill.
Contaminants:
Pam Toschik (Cornell) will be studying effects of residual contaminant
levels in sediments and soils on uptake by wildlife, with the assistance of Dr. Gary
Neuderfer of the NY State DEC, and the US FWS - Ecological Services Division
Field Office in Cortland, NY and the Montezuma NWR.
Shorebirds:
Refuge biologist Tracy Gingrich is spearheading a shorebird study this
year as part of a region-wide investigation of the effects of shorebird management in
impoundments. This study, conducted in partnership with the Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center, will include census of shorebirds, sampling of macroinvertebrates,
and vegetation analysis.
Completed Studies
Swallowwort:
Fran Lawlor (SUNY-ESF) completed her field work on black
swallowwort in the Montezuma NWR this past year.
