Too Many Deer, Too Many Earthworms with Dr. Bernd Blossey — WildFed Podcast #161
In this episode:
Dr. Bernd Blossey | Professor and Director of Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program at Cornell University
Podcast discussion:
Introducing Bernd
The surprising impact earthworms have on the landscape
Have we exceeded our ecological carrying capacity for whitetail deer in North America? The issues of overpopulation and what we can do about it
Interactions of deer, earthworms and invasive species
Solutions on the hunter level and on the state/federal regulatory level
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Episode Resources:
When Doing Nothing is the Best Invasive Plant Management Tool
Interactions of Deer and Invasive Species: Metrics and Strategies for Suburban Deer Management
Japanese knotweed's spread is a problem: A Cornell professor is working on a solution
What You Need to Know About Chronic Wasting Disease with Dr. Krysten Schuler — WildFed Podcast #060
Meet Dr. Bernd Blossey
Bernd was born and raised in northern Germany. In 1992, he moved to Cornell University, where he is a Professor directing the Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program. He also is the PI for the New York Invasive Species Research Institute. A major part of Bernd's work is the development and implementation biological weed control programs using specialized insect herbivores. Among his target plants are purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, water chestnut, Japanese knotweeds and invasive Phragmites.
An ever-increasing focus of his team are investigations into impacts of multiple “stressors” including invasive plants, non-native earthworms, and deer on a wide range of native organisms. He is intimately involved in different approaches to deer management at Cornell and in the surrounding municipalities, and he is the chair of the Cornell Deer Management Committee. Bernd has developed a network or deer exclosures to study impact of deer on many species and processes, and is developing bioindicators to assess effects of different stressors, including deer. The ultimate aim of this work is to increase the conservation values of all lands through development of best management practices.