2008 Annual Report Relevancy Statements

FY2008 Annual Report Project Descriptions

MAINTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT

  • determine the fate of nitrogen in acidic deposition on Vermont forested ecosystems.
    Nitrogen movement through Vermont forest ecosystems impacted by N deposition
    ROSS

  • develop an alternative to the growth oriented economic paradigm, one that efficiently allocates the increasingly scarce ecological goods and services upon which society depends for its survival.
    The Tragedy of the Non-commons in Vermont's Forests, Watersheds and Agriculture
    FARLEY

  • determine whether Phalaris arundinacea can be controlled through frequent mowing.
    Genetic variance in life history traits in the invasive species, Phalaris arundinacea
    MOLOFSKY

  • develop a framework for predicting which species would likely become invasive in the landscape.
    Predicting invasiveness of introduced species into communities
    MOLOFSKY

  • assess the contribution of specific ecosystem services (plant biodiversity, water quality, and carbon sequestration) through inventorying and functional mapping of habitats and landscape features on multifunctional farms.
    Benefits of On-farm Ecosystem Service Conservation and Assessment of Water Quality BMP's and Innovative Practices on Small- and Medium-Sized Farms in Vermont
    LOVELL

  • develop efficient EAF steel slag filter technology as a viable practice for pathogen reduction from agricultural point and non point sources and determine mechanisms involved in treatment process.
    Escherichia Coli and Cryptosporidium Occurrence, Transport, Fate and Reduction from Dairy Farm Point and Non Point Pollution Sources
    DRIZO

  • determine whether multiple introductions of a plant species results in it being more aggressive and thus, will provide concrete evidence that new strains of agronomic or horticulturally important species need to be carefully monitored after introduction.
    Ecological and Evolutionary Factors Influence Invasion Success
    MOLOFSKY

  • determine the response of barberry and oriental bittersweet to a climatic gradient with the goal of limiting its future invasiveness.
    Genetic Variance for Invasiveness in Woody Ornamentals: The Role of Genotypic Differences versus Phenotypic Plasticity and an Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Invasive Ornamental Plants in New England
    MOLOFSKY

  • investigate the mineral forms of calcium in northeastern forest soils thought to be undergoing depletion of this nutrient element.
    Determining Forest Soil Calcium Supplies: A Reconciled Chemical and Mineralogical Approach
    ROSS

  • develop innovative new products and procedures to enhance environmental quality and provide new value-added opportunities for Vermonters.
    Environmentally Safe Products
    VAYDA

    - Entomology and Integrated Pest Management

  • assess the effectiveness of indicator plants for early detection of thrips and flight behavior of thrips in a greenhouse and the virulence of fungi against predatory mites.
    Discovery of Entomopathogens and Their Integration and Safety in Pest Management Systems
     SKINNER

  • develop environmentally friends methods to manage soybean cyst nematode in soil
    Practical Management of SCN and Other Nematodes of Regional Importance: With Special Reference to Invasive Biology
    NEHER

  • educate extension personnel and farmers regarding the role of soil nematodes in soil quality
    Attributes of Soil Communities Associated with Suppression of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in New England and North Central Regions of the USA
    NEHER

  • determine effective methods for attracting longhorned beetles and their parasitoids for collection and investigation.
    Biological Control of the Asian Longhorned Beetle: Drawing From Indigenous Sources
    PARKER

  • produced on-line materials for training field personnel in the standardized sampling of hemlock woolly adelgid populations.
    Validation and Adoption of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Sampling Methods
    COSTA

  • characterize feeding, cold tolerance and behavior of predators being released for suppression of hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive forest pest, suggesting their biological compatibility.
    Low Temperature Feeding, Behavior and Supercooling Response of Three Predators Released for Biological Control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
    COSTA

  • optimize formulation of insect-killing fungi to generate fungal microfactories that produce spores to enhance biological pest management.
    Whey-Based, Fungal Micro-Factory Technology for Enhanced Mycopathogen Deployment in Forest Pest Management
    COSTA

  • participating in a NE wide network of Plant Diagnostic Clinics and First Detector Networks to identify new and introduced pests, diseases and invasives.
    Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network
    HAZELRIGG

  • develop a pepper Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP)for NE growers, pest management adviors, University researchers, Extension personnel and EPA.
    PRO New England Pest Management Network (2007)
    HAZELRIGG

  • test and survey for 2 different import/export significant nematode pests in Vermont to determine whether they exist in Vermont.
    APHIS/CAPS Survey
    HAZELRIGG

  • assess the potential of fungi for management of thrips in forests and greenhouse ornamental crops.
    Entomopathogenic Fungi for IPM of Pear Thrips and Western Flower Thrips in Forests and Greenhouses
    PARKER

  • conduct research for the development of insect-killing fungi and other IPM strategies for Sunn Pest to reduce excessive reliance on chemical pesticide use.
    SunnPest Innovation Marketplace Award
    PARKER

  • test banker plants for IPM of spider mites to enhance the effectiveness of predatory mites for biological control.
    Promoting IPM Implementation in Greenhouses: Banker Plants, Grower Education and an Assessment of Consumer Attitudes
    PARKER

  • assess the role of insect-killing fungi for management of elongate hemlock scale in forest stands of Eastern hemlocks.
    Management of Elongate Hemlock Scale: Use of Microbes from Indigenous Epizotics
    PARKER

  • determine the low lethal temperatures of three introduced predators of hemlock woolly adelgid.
    Impact of Cold Temperature on Survival of Pseudoscymnus tsugae, Laricobius nigrinus, and Scymnus sp.
    PARKER

  • investigate the potential of native natural enemies for biological control of the Asian longhorned beetle.
    Parasitoids of Native Longhorned Beetles for Biological Control of the Asian Longhorned Beetle
    PARKER

  • assess the effectiveness of indicator plants for early detection of thrips.
    Improving Thrips Control through Better Monitoring and Timing of Pesticide Applications
    SKINNER

  • test eggplants as a guardian plant system which will serve as both a trap plant and natural enemy reservoir in poinsettias for whitefly IPM.
    NE IPM Center
    SKINNER

  • test eggplants as a guardian plant system which will serve as both a trap plant and natural enemy reservoir in poinsettias for whitefly IPM.
    Guardian Plant Systems for Greenhouse Integrated Pest Management
    SKINNER

  • study the role of parasitoids for the natural suppression of lecanium scale.
    Biological Control of Lecanium Scale: Survey of Naturally Occurring Parasitoids
    SKINNER

  • assess the effectiveness of combining entomopathogenic fungi and predatory mites on marigold guardian plant systems for thrips IPM in organic greenhouses.
    Fungi, Predatory Mites and Guardian Plants for Thrips IPM in Organic Greenhouse Ornamentals
    SKINNER

    Nutrient Runoff and Water Quality

  • develop sustainable integrated filter technology as a viable solution for organic matter, solids, pathogens and nutrients reduction from agricultural and urban runoff.
    Dairy Wastewater Treatment by Integrated Constructed Wetland and Active Filter Technology to Reduce and Prevent Nutrient and Pathogen Pollution of Lake Champlain, VT
     DRIZO

  • investigate the potential of lime and lime products produced by Graymont Inc for phosphorus removal from agricultural runoff and effluents
    Laboratory Investigations of the Lime and Lime Products Phosphorus Retention Capacities
    DRIZO

  • provide direct benefits for the water quality of Lake Champlain by reducing the input of nutrients and bacteria from agricultural activities related to dairy operations, while also serving as a model of innovation.
    Treatment Solutions to Reduce Nutrient Inputs and Bacterial Contamination of Lake Champlain from Agricultural Activities at Shelburne Farms
    LOVELL

  • develop a methodology to enable policymakers to identify high risk phosphorus loss regions
    Interactive Spatially Dynamic Framework for Sustainable Watershed Phosphorus Management
    PARSONS

    Environmental Management

  • assess the contribution of Vermont farmers to ecosystem service conservation, and developing strategies for farmers to benefit from their conservation impact.
    Ecosystem Services Conservation and Farmer Livelihoods in the Vermont Agriculltural Landscape.
     MENDEZ

  • investigate the potential of basic oxygen furnace and blast furnace steel slag, produced by Phoenix Services, for phosphorus removal from agricultural and stormwater runoff.
    Investigations of Basic Oxygen and Blast Furnace Steel Slags Phosphorus Retention Capacities
    DRIZO

  • improve our ability to more realistically estimate the contribution of soil fauna to nitrogen mineralization
    Modeling Spatial-Temporal Impacts of Soil Aggregation on Total and Net Nitrogen Mineralization by Bacterivorous Nematodes with Contrasting Life Strategies
    NEHER

  • quantify the nutritional link between soil invertebrates and vascular plants
    Climate Change in Arid Lands: Effects on Soil Biota and Ecosystem Processes
    NEHER

  • assess anaerobic digester designs that make economic and environmental good sense for application on typical Vermont dairy farms.
    Design of a Multi-Stage Anaerobic Digester at the UVM Dairy Farm for Environmental Sustainability, Renewable Energy Generation, and Waste Management
    VAYDA

    Forest Resources

  • characterize the extent and contribution of treed habitats on diversified farms to important production, cultural, and ecological functions, suggesting great potential for agroforestry systems in Vermont.
    Spatial Analysis of Agroecosystems and Their Habitat Components to Develop Guidelines for Designing Multifunctional Farms.
     LOVELL

  • determining climate change impacts on Vermont forests.
    Historical change and functional control of montane forest distribution in northern New England.
    BECKAGE

  • determining mechanisms by which Brazilian pepper invades southeastern pinelands and providing management strategies to prevent displacement of native communities
    Brazilian Pepper, Fire and the Invasibility of Pine Savannas: Exploring Nonlinear Effects through Simulation
    BECKAGE

  • determining the relationship between climate and fire regimes.
    Landscape Fire Models for the Avon Park Air Force Range
    BECKAGE

  • forecasting future composition of forests and distribution of tree species in response to global climate change.
    Using Historical Change to Predict Future Distribution of High Elevation Forests in Northern New England
    BECKAGE