2011: Forest Plant Community Shifts in Response to White-tailed Deer
Katie Frerker, Autumn Sabo, Donald Waller
University of Wisconsin – Madison
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Researchers used results from a set of replicated experiments on the local impacts of deer to evaluate the extent to which such impacts account for half-century shifts in forest plant communities across the upper Midwest. Researchers surveyed seventeen deer exclosures. The Friends research grant funded surveys that were conducted at Peninsula State Park’s three deer exclosures. Data analysis indicates that the eating habits of white-tailed deer are the cause of at least 40 percent of flora species changes in the forests of northern Wisconsin and Michigan over the past 60 years.
February 2017 update: Beyond eating: Indirectly, deer change the landscape (Sabo)
2012: Reptile and Amphibian Survey
Spencer Siddons, Bradley Steckart, Matthew Rucker
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Researchers documented ten species of reptiles and six species of amphibians. Surveys occurred during the months of June, July, and August in one week increments. Methods included visual encounter surveys, drift fence arrays, and placement of five cover boards. Of the reptiles, one species is documented as a state species of special concern and one is listed as state endangered.
2012: Compositional Analysis of North Bay Ceramic Materials
Michelle Birnbaum
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
RESEARCH SUMMARY (Partial)
The researcher obtained clay samples from “Shanty Bay” (Nicolet Bay) and other locations in Peninsula State Park. After analyzing the samples, she will determine if there as a culturally distinctive “recipe” for the manufacture of ceramic materials. The transfer of technological information, in this case a ceramic recipe, can be determined by understanding local ceramic technology and raw material selection strategies.