Dr. Jeff Hoover, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois

Overview:

Dr. Jeff Hoover, University of Illinois, will provide an overview of how efforts to restore fragmented bottomland forests led to increased nest survival and decreased cowbird parasitism for birds nesting in the Cache River watershed (in Illinois). Nest survival was most affected by percentage landcover in agriculture within 1 km, whereas for cowbird parasitism it was percentage of agriculture within 5 km. These results represent the merging of scientific research with conservation in action in an effort to evaluate the success of conservation efforts. In the end, these efforts provided tangible benefits to birds breeding in bottomland forests.

About our speaker:

Dr. Hoover has been studying the ecology, behavior and conservation of birds for three decades, focusing primarily on bird communities in upland and bottomland forests. He conducts a blend of basic and applied research, with an emphasis on studying behavioral ecology in birds and the response of bird communities to restoration and conservation efforts. Some areas of interest include brood parasite-host interactions, natal dispersal, and decision rules associated with breeding dispersal in adult birds. He currently holds the position of Avian Ecologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois.