ESA to feature wide range of UW-Madison pre...(tato eco-label provides an economic ince...)

Environmental studies professor Paul Zedler and UW-Extension scientist Deana Knuteson are leading efforts to assess current levels of biodiversity in non-croplands adjacent to potato fields in central Wisconsin. Participating farms currently around a dozen conduct one or more management practices chosen to enhance the conservation value of non-crop lands.

Current projects being presented at the ESA meeting include analyses of the diversity and abundance of native plants, birds, and beneficial insects. Early results show that even without ecological management these farms contain a significant proportion of native biodiversity and highlight the conservation value of non-field habitats next to cultivated potato fields.

Contacts: Paul Zedler, phzedler@wisc.edu, (608) 265-8018; Deana Knuteson, dknuteson@wisc.edu, (608) 265-9798

Presentations:

COS 21-10, Assessment of avian communities for conservation potential in central sands Wisconsin agroecosystems (Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 11:10 a.m.)

COS 78-1, Influence of non-crop habitat on weed seed predation within potato crops (Thursday, Aug. 7 at 8:00 a.m.)

COS 78-5, Applied plant ecology in an agricultural landscape: Linking potato production with plant conservation in Wisconsin (Thursday, Aug. 7 at 9:20 a.m.)

PS 53-15, Achieving conservation objectives on farms: A case study of the ecolabel approach in Wisconsin (Thursday, Aug. 7 at 5:00 p.m.)

Not only does Wisconsin have more dams than any other state, it's removing dams more quickly than nearly any other state as well. By restoring natural flows to streams and rivers dam removal offers many benefits to fish co
'/>"/>