Ecological Research Projects

1. Representative Vegetation Plots
This research project provided various habitats at different stages of maturity and tested and compared the econometrics and ecological effectiveness of various random spatial pattern densities that may be utilized in future restoration projects.

Dr. Carolyn Keiffer of Miami University conducted the research to investigate the most effective density of seedlings and saplings for restoring forest ecosystems at the Fernald site. Researchers analyzed vegetation of existing Fernald woodlots to establish a baseline and profile of the existing local vegetation. From this information, they identified the species for experimental plots and evaluated the following planting densities to determine the optimal target density for establishing native forest cover:

• 100 saplings only
• 600 seedlings with 50 saplings
• 600 seedlings only
• Control (no planting)

Researchers will monitor the growth and survivability of the various tree species over a 5-year period.

Research Findings
The number of volunteer recruits is about the same in each of the different planting plots and many are invasive species. These findings seem to indicate that sapling-only planting strategies may not adequately address understory conditions. Future restoration designs need to account for shrub and seedling plantings in order to establish a native understory within restored areas.

Also, tree seedlings responded differently to the use of protective tree tubes. Plastic tubing was installed on approximately one third of seedlings planted in the vegetation plots to evaluate the effects of deer browsing. While browsing has not yet appeared to be an issue, the use of tubes does appear to influence seedling survival. Black walnut and Ohio buckeye seedlings had higher rates of survival without the use of tree tubes; however, hackberry and green ash seedlings had higher rates of survival with tree tubes.

Lastly, deer rub data of saplings planted within the vegetation plots indicates that deer prefer certain species to others. In the fall of 1999, researchers found that deer preferred to rub green ash and chinquapin oak saplings to the other three species.

2. Establishment of Prairie Vegetation on Disturbed Areas
DOE's cleanup plan for the Fernald site involves extensive soil excavation, which leaves behind nutrient-poor soil for reclamation. This research project provided information to establish vegetation in disturbed areas of the site.

Dr. Don Geiger of the University of Dayton conducted this research to determine the optimal strategy for re-vegetating prairie grasses on areas at the Fernald site where topsoil was excavated to achieve site cleanup goals. Researchers evaluated native prairie grass species and various techniques of soil preparation, seeding, mulching and management to establish stable prairie vegetation. Experimental design included testing various soil amendments (topsoil, sewage sludge, wood chips and manure) and planting and mulching regimes.  Researchers used specific measurements during monitoring, including biomass, percent cover and species diversity.

Research Findings
Research findings indicated that woodchip mulch cover provides the optimal conditions for establishing native grasses on excavated areas. Soil amendments did not appear to influence the rate of establishment. In fact, composted sewage sludge actually increased the amount of weed establishment within the research plots.

3. American Chestnut Restoration
The goal of this research project was to restore healthy American chestnut trees and increase public awareness about the risks of severe damage to American chestnut trees associated with the spread of invasive plants and pathogens to prevent accidental introductions.

Dr. Carolyn Keiffer of Miami University conducted this research to reestablish a population of blight-resistant American chestnut trees at the Fernald site. DOE signed a germplasm and maintenance agreement to obtain approximately 300 hybrid seeds (which are seven-eights pure American chestnut) from the American Chestnut Foundation. During the first year of this project (1998), researchers cultivated the seedlings in a Miami University greenhouse along with 50 pure American chestnut (Castanea dentata) seedlings and 50 Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) seedlings, which serve as a control. While in the green house, most of the seedlings were infected with a fungus unrelated to the chestnut blight. Miami University obtained additional seeds to conduct this research.

In 1999, researchers planted a combination of hybrid seedlings and seeds in a half-acre plot on the Fernald site. They also planted several Chinese chestnut seedlings along with the hybrids for comparison purposes. This plot was protected from deer grazing by a deer fence. Once the trees grow to a diameter of about 1-centimeter, they will be exposed to the chestnut blight (Endothia parasitica) in the field.

Over the next 30 years, researchers will monitor individual trees for shape, growth characteristics, shade tolerance and resistance to Endothia parasitica.  Measurement parameters include survivability, incidence of chestnut infection, and growth (i.e., stem diameter). When surviving trees begin to produce nuts, Fernald will turn over the nuts to the American Chestnut Foundation. The chestnut plot is visible (though not accessible) to the public. Interpretive signs near the chestnut grove denote the importance of this species.

Research Findings
This research is in the preliminary stages of establishing vegetation in the field. 

4. Identification and Control of Invasive Plant Species
This research project demonstrated the optimal method(s) for controlling invasive plant species, and evaluated the feasibility of re-vegetating an area previously dominated by invasive species.

Dr. Brian McCarthy of Ohio University conducted this research project to identify invasive plant species and evaluate control methods to use during ecological restoration at the Fernald site. Researchers conducted the first stage of this research in 1998 and 1999, which involved identifying prevalent invasive and indigenous plant species on site. The primary invasive species identified were amur honeysuckle (Lonicera macii) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora).

Researchers used this information to establish an experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of seedling planting against various invasive species removal methods and to evaluate deer browsing effects. In the spring of 1999, researchers developed eight replicates of three treatment plots in a wooded portion of the site, as follows: 

Half of the planted seedlings were protected with a tree tube. Researchers monitored these plots over a 4-year period to evaluate tree seedling growth, their survival against each treatment and the rates of native and invasive plant volunteering within the plots. Evaluation consisted of biometric (control efficacy, invasive species return, native vegetation return, diversity, seedling growth and survival) and econometric (time, money, cost-benefit) data.

Research Findings
A complete management plan for the control of inventoried invasive plant species at the Fernald site will facilitate large-scale planting efforts during ecological restoration.  Researchers found that the EZ-Ject lance is effective in eradicating amur honeysuckle and multiflora  rose. Laborers can inject herbicide directly into the invasive shrub more efficiently than the conventional “lop and squirt” method, where shrubs are cut at the stump and then sprayed with herbicide to prevent resprouting.  Data also indicated that control of invasive species benefits the establishment of native species. Seedling survival of all planted species was higher in treated plots than in control plots.

PHOTOS

5. Literature Compendium
Dr. Gerald Hill of Texas Southern University worked with Fluor Fernald to develop a compendium of research and literature sources to support evaluation of ecological restoration alternatives for herbivory techniques, establishment of native forest cover, migration corridors, bank stabilization, and success monitoring at the Fernald site. The compilation of decision-based literature will contribute to an evolving restoration approach, and the desired transition from the formative to the applied phase.

Together, DOE and Fluor Fernald were committed to safely restoring the 
Fernald site to an end state that serves the needs of the community.