Project period: 4 9 2025-4 8 2027PROJECT title: synthesizing changing OAK species distributions, mast availability, and effects on wildlife species under future climate, social, and land-use…

The University of Tennessee was awarded a $142,175 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the USGS Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) to conduct research on the impacts of climate change, social factors, and land-use on oak species distribution, mast availability, and effects on wildlife in the eastern hardwood forests of the U.S. The project will synthesize data on oak abundance, masting variability, and wildlife impacts to develop tools and models to help natural resource managers adapt to changing hardwood forest ecosystems. Key activities include collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and gaps, compiling the information into a publicly available database, and hosting virtual workshops. The project period runs from April 9, 2025 to April 8, 2027.

Purpose

The award will support the development of tools and models to help natural resource managers adapt to changing hardwood forest ecosystems by synthesizing research on OAK regeneration, mast variability, and wildlife impacts under future climate and land-use scenarios.

Activities

Will collect and analyze data on OAK abundance, mast variability, and wildlife impacts to identify trends and gaps, which will be compiled into a publicly available database. Will host 2 virtual workshops and one in-person workshop with researchers and practitioners to synthesize knowledge, identify priorities, and CO-develop management scenarios. An expert-elicited ecosystem model will be developed to evaluate interactions among OAK regeneration, masting variability, and wildlife populations under future climate and land-use scenarios. Will translate model outputs into practical decision-support tools, such as scenario-testing interfaces and management guides. Products will be disseminated as peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and educational materials. Outputs will also be hosted on web-based platforms.deliverables and expected outcomes: deliverables include a publicly available database on OAK abundance, mast variability, and wildlife impacts, an ecosystem model with a user-friendly interface for scenario exploration, and technical reports publications training materials infographics for practitioners and stakeholders. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of masting variability and OAK regeneration dynamics, tools and models that enable natural resources managers to predict and adapt to changes in mast production, forest composition, and wildlife abundance, and enhanced collaboration between wildlife biologists and foresters, fostering interdisciplinary solutions.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of this project include federal, state and local managers tasked with managing mast-reliant wildlife and forest ecosystems, researchers and conservation practitioners focusing on forest and wildlife ecology, private landowners who contribute to OAK regeneration and forest management, policymakers seeking to develop climate-adaptive conservation strategies, and stakeholders, including hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, who rely on sustainable forest ecosystems.

Subrecipient activities

N A