FY2009 Annual Report Project Descriptions

MAINTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT

UVM research scientists and outreach specialists ...

  • estimate the value of eco-system services
    Valuation of Pacific Salmon Ecosystems in Russia Far East
    KOLODINSKY 3

  • 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 3

  • assess the effectiveness of a Vermont Common Assets Trust policy in protecting and fairly distributing the shared natural and cultural heritage of Vermont for this and future generations.
    Integrating Vermont's Common Assets Trust with Payments for Ecosystem Services
    FARLEY 3

    • - Entomology and Integrated Pest Management

  • reduce economic, health, and environmental risks associated with pest management activities in agronomic crops; apples, cold climate winegrapes, greenhouse ornamentals, and vegetables/berries; and in consumer/urban areas.
    A Comprehensive, Interdisciplinary Vermont Extension IPM Program Addressing Stakeholder Priorities and Needs
     BERKETT 3a

  • assess the impact of low winter temperatures on predator/prey interactions, population dynamics and limits geographic of hemlock woolly adelgid range expansion
    Low Temperature Feeding, Behavior and Supercooling Response of Three Predators Released for Biological Control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
    COSTA 3a

  • successfully deployed whey-based fungal microfactory technology to deliver insect-killing fungus against hemlock adelgid in a hemlock forest ecosystem
    Whey-Based, Fungal Micro-Factory Technology for Enhanced Mycopathogen Deployment in Forest Pest Management
    COSTA 3a

  • evaluate the effectiveness of a fungal biopesticide and microfactory formulation for forest pest suppression
    Mycotal for Management of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid: Advanced Stage Proposal Year 2
    COSTA 3a

  • participate 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 3a

  • develop a raspberry Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP)and maple survey for NE growers, pest management adviors, University researchers, Extension personnel and EPA.
    2008 PRO New England Pest Management Network
    HAZELRIGG 3a

  • identify mechanisms of natural disease suppression to soybean cyst nematode in Midwestern soils
    Ecology of Nematode-Suppressive Soils in Midwest Soybean-Cropping Systems
    NEHER 3a

  • conduct research for the development of insect-killing fungi and other IPM strategies for Sunn Pest to reduce excessive reliance on chemical pesticide use.
    Sunn Pest IPM
    PARKER 3a

  • investigate the fungal diversity associated with an epizootic of hemlock woolly adelgid some of which could be developed into a biopesticide to protect hemlock trees from this exotic pest.
    Identification of Fungal Organisms Associated with HWA Epizootic
    PARKER 3a

  • investigate the potential of native natural enemies for biological control of the Asian longhorned beetle.
    Native Natural Enemies of Native Wood Borers in Northeastern US: Potential Biological Control Agents of the Asian Longhorn Beetle and Other Invasive Wood Borer Species
    SKINNER 3a

  • 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 3a

  • assess the effectiveness of plant-mediated systems for early detection and IPM of thrips in greenhouse grown ornamentals.
    Fungi, Predatory Mites and Habitat Plants for Thrips IPM in Greenhouse Ornamentals
    SKINNER 3a

  • 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 IMP in Organic Greenhouse Ornamentals
    SKINNER 3a

  • develop new forest management strategies for sugar maple stands used for the production of maple products that will lead to a reduced incidence of injurious insect and disease pests of maple trees.
    Effect of Three Sugarbush Management Techniques on Major Forest Insect and Disease Pests
    TOBI 3a

  • determine effective methods for attracting live longhorned beetles and their parasitoids for collection and investigation.
    Biological Control of the Asian Longhorned Beetle: Drawing From Indigenous Sources
    PARKER 3a

  • 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 3a

  • reduce reliance on pesticides and the risk of human, animal and environmental exposure to pesticides
    Practical Management of SCN and Other Nematodes of Regional Importance: With Special Reference to Invasive Biology
    NEHER 3a

  • 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.
    Enhancing Opportunities to Use Biological Control Agents for Thrips IPM in Greenhouses
    SKINNER 3a

  • assess the effectiveness of plant-mediated systems combining insect-killing fungi and predatory mites for IPM of thrips in greenhouse grown ornamentals.
    Entomopathogenic Fungi and Predators for IPM of Western Flower Thrips.
    SKINNER 3a

  • gain a better understanding of the biological diversity in soil that leads to natural disease suppression
    Alternative management systems for plant-parasitic nematodes in horticultural and field crops
    NEHER 3a

  • Determine how to enhance natural enemies through habitat manipulation
    The role of forests in conservation biological control in agroecosystems
    CHEN 3a

    • Environmental Management

  • assess the efficacy of an anaerobic digester and composting for effective management of organic waste at the University of Vermont
    Design of a Multi-Stage Anaerobic Digester at the UVM Dairy Farm for Environmental Sustainability, Renewable Energy Generation, and Waste Management
     VAYDA 3c

  • quantify the effect of global climate change on the contribution of soil microfauna to nitrogen availability in arid lands
    Climate Change in Arid Lands: Effects on Soil Biota and Ecosystem Processes
    NEHER 3c

  • determine the concentration and variability of calcium in forest soils of Vermont, aiding our understanding of possible calcium depletion.
    Long-Term Forest Soils Monitoring at Mt. Mansfield and Lye Brook Wilderness Area
    ROSS 3c

    • Forest Resources

  • discover new species and understand their role in ecological function in a region threatened by deforestation
    Nematodes of the Tropical Rain Forests of Costa Rica: Linking Morphology and MOTUs
     NEHER 3d