Research Programs Archives - Page 4 of 11 - Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station

Research Programs

Conserving vernal pools and other wetland resources through coupling natural and human systems

Vernal pool conservation strategies that incorporate the best available science and social and economic needs of Maine citizens. Since the passing Significant Vernal Pool regulation in Maine in 2007, there has been a political backlash to dismantle all regulations associated with Significant Wildlife Habitats. In particular, in developing landscapes, vernal pool resources are rapidly disappearing […]

Ecology, conservation, and recovery of Maine native fishes in a changing environment

Native fishes of commercial, recreational, or ecological importance in Maine, such as Atlantic salmon, brook trout, alewife, and sea lamprey, have experienced range-wide decline because human activities have degraded freshwater habitats. Recently humans have sought to mitigate these negative impacts and restore native fisheries, especially for migratory species, by removing dams and restoring access to […]

Maintaining biological diversity in managed landscapes

Natural resource management is a critical driver in the economic, social, and ecological well-being of a state like Maine and one of the fundamental elements of natural resource management is biodiversity. It encompasses everything from the raw material of natural resource based industries to the fabric that forms our ecosystems. This project will investigate the […]

Population ecology of grouse in Maine

Maine’s forest wildlife are an important resource that contribute to the state’s economy through wildlife-centric recreation, and have intrinsic value as native species to the state. The forest habitat on which these species depend also provides an important economic and cultural resource to Maine citizens through the harvest of forest products. Ruffed grouse are a […]

Responses of Canada lynx, snowshoe hares, spruce grouse, and forest songbirds to forest management in commercially managed landscapes in the northeastern U.S.

Maine has the largest population of U.S. federally threatened Canada lynx in the lower 48 states, which specialize on the snowshoe hare as a primary prey species. Maine’s forests support the largest spruce grouse population in the eastern U.S., and with >50% of the spruce-fir forest in the coterminous U.S., these forests provide >95% of […]

Characterizing the Gulf of Maine Flyway and integrating ecology, physiology, and behavior to understanding links between Maine’s natural resources and wildlife

The overall goals are to increase our understanding of the Gulf of Maine flyway system through identifying the breeding populations of birds occurring there and by studying the links among energetic condition, available resources, and movement. Identifying important stopover and roosting sites for shorebirds is critical to coastal area management. The activities outlined in the […]

The pathobiology and disease ecology of aquatic pathogens in Maine

Aquaculture remains the fastest-growing agricultural sector and has seen an annual growth rate grow of 4% to 7% year on year over the last decade. If Maine aquaculture is to remain economically viable, the industry must stay at the forefront of aquatic animal health and develop an improved understanding of the ecology and control of […]

Improved hatchery and grow-out methods for Maine’s shellfish culture industry

The shellfish culture industry in Maine has seen steady growth since its inception 30 years ago. During this time, industry growth had been primarily fueled by the increased production of blue mussels and eastern oysters. Recent disease outbreaks and increases in the abundance and distribution of pathogens and other pest species, however, have highlighted how […]

Contaminant effects on Maine finfish

Arsenic contamination of watersheds is particularly problematic in Maine with its high levels of arsenic in underlying bedrock that contaminate groundwater at levels that often exceed EPA allowable safe limits (10 ppb). Relatively little, however, is known about the effects of arsenic at these low levels of exposure. Fish may be particularly vulnerable as they […]

Environmental and pathogen impacts on immune development in commercial aquaculture species

The aquaculture industry in the U.S. has the potential to alleviate the chronic stress being placed on wild fisheries by supplying the considerable demand for seafood within the US and beyond. The position and strength of the aquaculture industry within Maine indicates that it can be a significant player in this industry. Health issues will […]

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