Projects

The Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) is a long-term, landscape-level experiment measuring the living (i.e. birds, plants, trees) and non-living (i.e. soil, water, weather) parts of a forested ecosystem. MOFEP provides science-based information to forest managers so they may employ management practices that ensure healthy and sustainable forest, fish and wildlife resources while also providing opportunities to all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about their forest resource.

Neonicotinoids are a class of chemical insecticide widely used as pre-planting seed treatments on major agricultural crops such as corn, soybeans, canola, and cereals (e.g., wheat) to control insect agricultural pests. Recently concerns have been raised about the potential immediate and long-term effects of these chemicals on bees and aquatic invertebrates. In addition to toxicity concerns regarding non-target species, these chemicals are relatively water soluble and persistent in soil, raising concern about contamination of surface waters in the vicinity of their use.

Walleye management is focused on preservation,countering the negative effects of impoundments, and providing angling opportunities. New information has emerged regarding the genetic structure of walleye using microsatellite makers and mitochondrial DNA.
MDC is exploring the use of LiDAR to model headcuts, bank instability, and riparian corridor condition assessment within the Grand River Grasslands.

MDC’s Resource Science Division (RSD), Fisheries Division and others have been involved in collecting information on aquatic systems for over 60 years.  Much of this information has been entered into electronic databases maintained by RSD staff.  Recent advances in electronic database management and communication makes it practical to combine elements of these multiple databases into a single aquatic database.  The advantage of accessing information through the RSD-IAD compared to past practices is that access will be instantaneous and the information will be the most current