Ecosystems Management, Conservation, and Restoration

Team Coordinator
Sam Fuhlendorf
368 Ag Hall
405-744-9646

Team Administrator
Keith Owens
011 Ag Hall
405-744-5438

Ecosystem Management, Conservation and Restoration Team
November 30, 2005
Team Coordinator- Sam Fuhlendorf
Team Administrator- Tom Hennessey

The Ecosystem Management, Conservation and Restoration Team has met twice and discussed priorities and proposals that are the focus of our team. We decided to attempt to develop one proposal that would integrate the team and try to cover as many of our priorities as possible within a single systems-based perspective. In addition to these new priorities, the team hopes to continue to support and develop existing programs in extension and research on forestlands, rangelands, and wildlife of Oklahoma.

Our priorities are:

1. Develop a program to restore and manage crosstimbers and prairie ecosystems for multiple uses. The Crosstimbers and Prairies region of central Oklahoma is the largest land type in the state and represents a great potential to provide research and outreach to diverse groups. We need research and demonstration areas that are focused on the effects of different management approaches on all natural resources of the area and develop approaches to manage landscapes for multiple uses. Special efforts will be on issues such as integrating wildlife management into traditional land uses, fire ecology and fuels management, developing economic alternatives, and understanding and overcoming land fragmentation to conserve natural resources and develop economic alternatives.
2. Develop a program focused on invasive species, such as Eastern Redcedar and Sericea lespedeza. Invasive species threaten all ecosystems of Oklahoma and are having major negative economic impacts on traditional agricultural enterprises as well as potential alternative enterprises. Research and extension programs focused on management of these insidious problems within the context of multiple land uses will lead to more efficient conservation and management of natural resources and maintain the potential to develop innovative economic alternatives.
3. Develop research and extension programs related to government programs for conservation of natural resources (CRP, WHIP, WRP, CSP, etc.). These programs have an important influence on land use change and management decisions. It is important that this team develop an understanding of the effects of these programs on our natural resources and assist the development of programs that achieve natural resource conservation and rural development for Oklahoma.
4. Develop a landscape level perspective that considers the importance of ecological and social consequences of ecosystem management that is dependent on broad scale patterns in a private land state. From the perspective of natural resource conservation and management, landscapes in Oklahoma can be characterized as highly fragmented. Many natural resource based objectives are dependent upon large scale patterns and processes that can not be managed or understood from a perspective that is focused on a single land unit. This indicates the need for researchers and practitioners to understand the social and ecological importance of managing large-scale processes and patterns across multiple land ownerships.
5. Develop research and extension programs related to water quality and quantity and the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Examples include the study of practices and systems for nonpoint source pollution control, riparian management, stream channel management and restoration, water quality and other environmental standards, biocriteria for aquatic systems, and fishery protection and management. Programs to protect and manage these resources have an important influence on land use change and management decisions, and thereby affect the economic and cultural wellbeing of the state. It is important that this team conduct research and promote understanding of the effects of these land use practices, government rules, and government programs to protect the environment and economic and cultural well-being of the state.