Ectomycorrhizal fungi
Fungi drive key ecosystem functions like decomposition and nutrient cycling, but they remain understudied in most biomes. To document fungal species across the HEE, researchers use fruiting body sampling and next-generation sequencing.
Traditional methods rely on preserving collected mushrooms, such as those stored in Purdue’s Kriebel Herbarium, to build a species catalog. Modern sequencing technologies allow scientists to detect hidden soil fungi around key tree species, tracking how fungal communities shift across time, geography, and different forest management strategies.
Wood-boring beetles
Project Investigator
Jeffrey Holland, Purdue University, (765) 494-7739, jdhollan@purdue.edu
Researchers are evaluating how forestry management influences longhorned and jewel beetle populations. While some beetle species are tree pests, most break down decaying wood, thin forests naturally, and pollinate plants.
So far, the project has identified roughly 130 longhorned beetle species and 40 jewel beetle species. Different forest treatments create varied effects on these communities, but beetle populations show strong resilience and gradually return to pre-harvest levels.
Key Papers:
- Holland, J.D. 2010. Isolating spatial effects on beta diversity to inform forest landscape planning. Landscape Ecology, 25(9): 1349-1362.
- Hanna, L., Kissick, A. L., McCroskey, E., and J.D. Holland. 2019. Resilience to disturbance is a cross‐scale phenomenon offering a solution to the disturbance paradox. Ecosphere 10( 4):e02682. 1002/ecs2.2682
Eastern Box Turtle
Project Investigators
Brian MacGowan, Purdue University, (765) 647-3538, macgowan@purdue.edu
Rod Williams, Purdue University, (765) 494-3568, rodw@purdue.edu
Box turtle populations are declining nationwide, and Indiana’s remaining healthy populations are widely scattered. To evaluate how timber harvesting affects turtle home ranges and habitat selection, researchers tracked individual turtles using radio signals across control and harvest areas. Search plots were also established to measure local population densities and gather baseline data prior to post-harvest evaluations.
Timber Rattlesnake
Project Investigator
Brian MacGowan, Purdue University, (765) 494-7739, macgowan@purdue.edu
Listed as endangered in Indiana, timber rattlesnakes face ongoing threats from habitat loss and human persecution. To measure the impact of timber harvesting on rattlesnake movement and habitat choice, researchers implanted radio transmitters into captured snakes and tracked them to their winter dens. Habitat measurements at these locations will be compared against random sites and post-harvest data to assess overall habitat selection.
Spiders
Marc Milne, University of Indianapolis, 317-788-3325, milnem@uindy.edu
Spiders play crucial roles as forest predators and food sources for birds and mammals, yet the effects of forest management on them remain poorly understood. A ten-year study beginning in 2015 examines spider diversity, abundance, and interactions between timber harvesting and prescribed fire in southern Indiana. Researchers collect spiders year-round using hand sampling, sweep nets, shrub beating, liquid-filled pitfall traps, and Berlese funnels for leaf litter.
Owls
Project Investigators
John B. Dunning, Purdue University, (765) 494-3565, jdunning@purdue.edu
Robert K. Swihart, Purdue University, (765) 494-3575, rswihart@purdue.edu
To study top forest predators, researchers launched a citizen-science project engaging local volunteer birders to survey owl populations across regional forests. Volunteers conduct night surveys during mid-winter when owls are breeding and respond to recorded calls, with follow-up surveys in late spring to track family groups. Early results show that timber harvests have not strongly affected Barred Owls or Eastern Screech-Owls.
Barred Owls were almost absent from Brown County State Park, but the screech-owls were common there (possibly because Barred Owls are known to be screech-owl predators). We expect to continue the winter and summer surveys for at least two more years. If funding becomes available, we would also like to conduct a radio-telemetry study to examine how the owls use harvest and edge areas for foraging habitat. If you are interested in volunteering with this project, please contact the HEE Project Coordinator.
White-tailed Deer
Project Investigators
Scott Haulton, DNR Division of Forestry, (317) 234-5725, shaulton@dnr.IN.gov
Mike Saunders, Purdue University, (765) 430-1440, msaunder@purdue.edu
Robert K. Swihart, Purdue University, (765) 494-3575, rswihart@purdue.edu
White-tailed deer browsing heavily influences oak seedling growth and regeneration. In 2009, researchers built 32 fenced exclosures across different timber harvest openings to exclude deer and compare plant growth against adjacent, unfenced reference plots. This project evaluates how deer and other herbivores affect seedling survival across various harvest types and distances from harvest boundaries.
Human Dimensions
Project Investigators
Shannon Amberg, Purdue University, ambergs@purdue.edu
Bill Hoover, Purdue University, (765) 494-3580, billh@purdue.edu