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Balancing act
By Rebecca Goetz
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Scientists from several universities, including Purdue, have joined forces with federal and state agencies to develop land-use tools that take natural resources into account. (From left) Gene Rhodes, George Parker, Rob Swihart and Barny Dunning are among the Purdue researchers taking part in the project. (Photo by Tom Campbell). |
It's a fall night and you're driving home. Suddenly, your headlights catch a white-tailed doe, poised to leap into your path. You hit the brakes and narrowly avoid her as she leaps across the road in front of you. As you sit for a moment to gather your wits, you think, "The deer population is getting too large."
Is it? In some places, maybe. Overall, it's a problem of balancing the needs of humans, animals and plants--a problem that has been around for years.
A century ago, deer were nearly extinct in the state, and wildlife researchers worked to bring them back. These days, however, deer have no natural predators, says Purdue forestry professor George Parker. The wolves and bears that once kept deer numbers in check are long gone. So in large areas where hunting is prohibited, the deer population soars. The deer, in turn, endanger native plant species in their hunt for green food.
Because scientists know from experiences like these that they can't tackle one wildlife problem without affecting a host of others, they are stepping back and looking at the state as a huge, complex ecosystem. Researchers are pooling everything they know about plants, animals, microbes, watersheds and people, then digging for more information. We must first understand the interrelationships, they say, before we can find workable solutions.
Planning Around Wildlife
Purdue wildlife scientist Rob Swihart and forestry and natural resource sociologist Joe O'Leary are among those trying to get a broad view of the situation. They have joined with Purdue faculty and staff from several disciplines, four other universities and several state and federal agencies to create Engaging Citizens as Stewards of Ecosystems (ECASE).
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