Program on the Environment

From 2021 to 2024, Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) girdled 800 trees on 8 preserves, aiming to improve wildlife habitat in the form of standing and downed dead wood. The goal of our study was to assess the efficacy of these forest management practices in order to provide a methodology to use in the future and to recommend to other organizations that may want to do similar work with habitat creation. In this study, we visited all 8 of these preserves with staff to collect data on the efficacy of their methods, such as girdle measurements and tree species. The research we did for our internship did not reap many significant conclusions for all our efforts, inconsistent with past and current literature. Our tedious measurements of tree girdles resulted in 2 out of 8 significant variables. Poor sample distributions, no control variable, and too many measurables contributed to statistically insignificant results. I did, however, do my own research on an additional variable. I researched a tiny insect in the families Scolytidae and Platypodidae known as bark and ambrosia beetles. Measuring for beetle presence in the trees we surveyed resulted in a few important, significant ideas, and more importantly, lead to more questions. I found statistical trends with DSH (Diameter at Standardized Height), time since girdle, and tree health correlated with beetle presence. Engaging with existing forest systems, interconnecting relationships, and interdisciplinary ideas, can result in more holistic, interesting, and useful, information than minute anthropogenic measurements alone.