New book provides vital resource to land managers
A new publication designed to assist both landowners and scientists in managing moist-soil wetland plants is the work of graduate students and a postdoctoral research associate at Mississippi State.
"A Guide to Moist-soil Wetland Plants of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley" (University Press of Mississippi) now is available in bookstores. The 600-page resource covers more than 100 moist-soil wetland plants found in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and elsewhere.
Former graduate students Heath Hagy of Frederick, Okla., Sarah Fleming of North Bay, Ontario, Joshua Cheshier of Seattle, Wash., and James Callicutt of New Albany compiled the text while completing degrees in the university's wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture department and College of Forest Resources. Research associate Michael Schummer of Allegany, N.Y., led the project.
In addition to photographs of the plants, the authors have included images of seeds and tubers to further aid in plant identification.
Moist-soil wetlands are seasonally flooded areas that provide food and habitat for myriad wildlife, including waterfowl. Management of moist-soil plants is a major component of wildlife conservation efforts throughout North America.
"The authors spent a great amount of personal time compiling this book," said associate dean Rick Kaminski, also the college's James C. Kennedy Endowed Professor. "Prior to its publication, there was a void in information available on moist-soil wetland plants and their management."
Book sale proceeds are helping support wetlands research through the Kennedy Endowed Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation established at MSU in 2008.
The chair, or professorship, supports an internationally recognized academic program focused on gaining science-based knowledge for understanding and conserving waterfowl and other wetland wildlife species, populations, and communities, as well as their habitats.
For more information, contact Karen Brasher at 662-325-8530 or kbrasher@cfr.msstate.edu.
Allison Matthews | University Relations
