 United
States Department of Agriculture -
Forest Service |
 Southern Research Station200 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 |
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Scientist Lauded for Innovative Pollinator Research
Asheville,NC -- Dr. James Hanula, a research entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station in Athens, GA, recently received the 2007 Karner Blue Excellence in Pollinator Management award. The national award recognizes a Forest Service individual who demonstrates outstanding, dedicated leadership in the management and conservation of pollinators. The award was presented by Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop at a May ceremony in Washington, DC.Hanula was recognized for two collaborative research efforts that expand pollinator awareness and management. The first project examined impacts of fire and fire surrogates on pollinators in the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains and coastal plain of Alabama. The research, part of a large national study on effects of prescribed burning on forest ecosystems, demonstrated that reintroduction of fire into Appalachian hardwood forests increased diversity and abundance of pollinators, including a rare butterfly, the diana fritillary. The second project highlighted effects of an exotic plant, Chinese privet, on pollinators in forests. Hanula implemented and tested two methods of removing privet from riparian forests. Both treatments increased pollinator diversity and abundance."Jim's research is increasingly relevant globally because our food, fiber, and fuel supply rely on pollination," said Peter J. Roussopoulos, Station Director. "His innovative approaches will raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and hopefully encourage forest management practices that favor their abundance." Pollinators assist over 80 percent of the world's flowering plants with reproduction, and include species of bats, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, beetles, ants, and bees.For additional information, please contact Hanula at (706) 559-4253 or by email at jhanula@fs.fed.us.