In addition to our research in the tropics, we have extensive programs in temperate ecosystems. Our projects are spread across the world from Virginia to China.
Migratory Birds
A tremendous amount of migratory bird research is carried out by Smithsonian ornithologists at the National Zoo.
San
Joaquin Kit Fox
Katherine Ralls and her collaborators have been studying
kit foxes since 1989. Topics include kit fox population
dynamics; interactions between kit foxes and coyotes;
and survey methods.
Desert Tortoises in Nevada
Led by Olav Oftedal, the nutrition lab has been investigating
the nutritional needs of the desert tortoise, a threatened
species, since 1991. The goals of the project are to determine
the specific nutrient requirements of the tortoise, to ascertain
which food plants meet those requirements, and to develop
ways to assess the availability of such foods in tortoise
habitat.
Giant Pandas in China
And in Asia, our more recent efforts directed toward panda research are rapidly gaining ground.
White-tailed Deer in Eastern Forests
We measure the impact of deer foraging on spring wildflowers and the impact of timber harvest on forest birds and mammals.