Tih-Fen Ting, an associate professor of environmental studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, will present “Recovery Actions for Illinois State Threatened and Endangered Species: Franklin’s Ground Squirrel and Osprey” as part of the School of Biological Sciences Seminar Series.
When: 4 p.m. Thursday, November 6
Where: 210 Moulton Hall
Abstract of her presentation:
“In Illinois, Franklin’s ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) is a state-threatened species while osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is state-endangered. According to the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, both species are in greatest need of conservation. Declines in Franklin’s ground squirrel populations in the Midwest have been widely attributed to loss and fragmentation of prairie and savanna habitats due to intensive agricultural practices. On the other hand, the effects of the pesticide DDT led to poor reproductive success for ospreys and hence their population decline. Since the banning of DDT and other organochlorine pesticides in the U.S. in 1972, ospreys have increased in population overall but not in Illinois. In this talk, I will provide an overview of ongoing restoration projects for Franklin’s ground squirrel and osprey in Central Illinois as well as the early findings and assessment regarding the recovery actions for these two species.”
