UGA Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

A little birdy told us you’re not signed up for our newsletter ?? And while we’re forgiving, and we’ll try not to judge, you’re definitely missing out. From updates on current research, showcasing our student achievements, and reviewing the events we put on to foster education in our community, our newsletter delivers the latest from the field straight to your inbox. Our next issue drops on Monday so sign up today and stay connected with all that we do here: https://lnkd.in/e5-NN5Hf So take it from the screech owl: we’re watching… but only because we care. #UGASREL #Newsletter #Ecology #ScienceCommunication #WildlifeResearch

#MeetTheSRELTeam – ?? Sydney Brewer ?? Sydney is originally from Falls City, Nebraska, and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Wildlife Sciences at the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). She is a student in James Beasley's Lab, where her work focuses on improving methods for managing invasive wild pigs in the Southeast. ? ?? Why did you choose SREL/UGA? “I worked technician positions in the southeast and knew I enjoyed the area. I had numerous professors in undergrad and supervisors at technician jobs that were connected to UGA and had only good things to say about Warnell and the wildlife program here. Jim posted my position on the job board, where I stumbled upon it, and it really struck my interest.” ? ???What is your research focus? “My research focuses on understanding how to improve attractant methods for wild pigs to improve management activities for this invasive species and its negative impacts on the environment and economy.” ? ??? What advice do you have for aspiring graduate students? “If you set your mind to it, you can do it. It can be daunting running a project for the first time, opening R software for statistics, and writing your first manuscript. Graduate school is meant to challenge you, and these types of projects expect a lot of you. If you go into it with the right mindset and continue to push, you will achieve the goals you set.” ? After graduation, Sydney will stay on as a research technician for the Blackbeard Island wild pig eradication project under Dr. Beasley, putting everything that she learned throughout her research into action.

??It's Turtley Thursday, which means it’s time to introduce you to a turtle that you will find throughout the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), the Common Snapping Turtle. The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is one of North America’s most formidable freshwater reptiles. Lacking the ability to retract fully into its shell, it relies on aggression, camouflage, and a powerful bite, delivering 210 PSI, strong enough to cause serious injury. With a sharp, hooked beak and a striking range nearly the length of its shell, it is an efficient ambush predator. As both scavengers and opportunistic hunters, snapping turtles help regulate prey populations and contribute to nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in various freshwater habitats, but habitat loss and human interference can pose challenges. #UGASREL #Herpetology #Research #Education #HigherEducation #Academics

A shift in shade, a sign of age. ?? Red salamanders undergo a striking transformation as they mature, starting as bright orange juveniles covered in black spots before deepening into a rich red or purplish hue. This color shift isn’t just for show; it likely helps them blend into leaf litter and forest floors, offering better camouflage in their environments. As lungless salamanders, they rely on their skin for respiration, making moist environments critical to their survival. Found in the eastern United States, they thrive in slow-moving streams and springs, where they hunt small invertebrates and aquatic prey. Their resemblance to the toxic juvenile eft stage of the Eastern newt serves as a form of mimicry, offering them some protection from predators. #UGASREL #Wildlife #Research #Education #Ecology #Academia

The Southeast Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SEPARC) a division of PARC, is dedicated to protecting and conserving amphibian and reptile populations. Since the late 1990s, SEPARC has been a vibrant and engaging community of state, federal, industry, NGO, and academic professionals working together to steward southeastern biodiversity using sound scientific, social, and management principles. The University of Georgia has been a core organization in PARC and SEPARC’s creation. It was an absolute joy to be at our 2025 SEPARC Annual Meeting with enormous representation and key presentations by former and current students, staff, and faculty from University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, UGA Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, and Odum School of Ecology. This included the keynote by Jessica Gonynor McGuire, plenary by Erin Cork, and management talks by graduate students Jade Samples and Cassandra Waldrop, and myself. UGA also had great representation and presentations by graduate and undergraduate students Eva Kerr, Hadley Copeland, Andie Crenshaw, and Michael Skibsted (among others). So amazing to see the expanded impact of UGA’s training and mentoring of students who become the leaders and researchers of the future.

Wetlands are critical ecosystems that filter water, support biodiversity, and regulate contaminant movement, but their effectiveness depends on how water flows through them. Seasonal shifts, precipitation patterns, and landscape structure influence how wetlands store and transport water, impacting everything from water quality to habitat stability for wildlife. Understanding these processes is essential for managing wetlands in the face of extreme weather events, pollution, and environmental change. In a study conducted at Tims Branch watershed on the Savannah River Site, Dr. Daniel Kaplan and other researchers examined how rainfall, groundwater, and stream water mix over time. By analyzing stable isotopes of hydrogen (δ2H) and oxygen (δ1?O), they identified seasonal shifts in water exchange, which impact the movement of contaminants, including uranium. These findings provide valuable insights into how wetlands function as natural filters, helping to refine strategies for contaminant management and environmental protection in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). ?? You can read more about this research on our website: https://lnkd.in/edBhXkDb #UGASREL #Hydrology #EnvironmentalScience #Research #Education #SRS #Academia

The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) continues to drive research that informs effective wildlife management strategies. One of our latest studies, led by Dr. James Beasley and first author Chuck Taylor, MS, AWB? focuses on trapping methods for controlling wild pig populations, one of the most damaging invasive species in North America.? ? By analyzing 867 capture events across four southeastern states, researchers found that corral, drop, and net traps were all highly effective, capturing entire social groups of wild pigs at least 88% of the time. These findings provide valuable insights for landowners, agencies, and wildlife managers working to mitigate the $2.5 billion in annual damage caused by wild pigs. ? ?? You can read more about this research on our website: https://lnkd.in/eCGSWKXC ? #UGASREL #InvasiveSpecies #Research #Conservation #SRS #Academia #PrincipalInvestigator

?? Don’t miss out on all the exciting content we share across our platforms! Follow us on Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eCvZgeDH and Instagram: https://lnkd.in/euBKJhCR to stay up to date with the incredible research, wildlife highlights, and outreach happening at SREL. This month, we’re putting our own spin on March Madness, but with a wildlife twist! It’s a fun way to learn more about the amazing species found throughout the CSRA while keeping track of the competition with friends, family, or little ones. Be sure to check in and cast your votes to see who will come out on top! You’ll find our first post for March Madness here: https://lnkd.in/etUz2Wmz ?

Amanda Hurst, an Augusta University alum and acting Community Engagement Specialist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, recently visited Dr. Cromer’s Wetlands class at Augusta University as a guest speaker. She engaged students in a discussion about the ecological significance of wetlands, their role in supporting biodiversity, and the conservation challenges these habitats face. Students had the opportunity to observe and learn about some of the unique wildlife found in wetland ecosystems through hands-on interactions, reinforcing key concepts covered in the course. These real-world applications help bridge the gap between classroom learning and field research, offering students a deeper understanding of wetland ecology. This classroom session is just the beginning though. On March 27th, the class will continue their exploration with a field experience, joining Amanda to study wetlands in their natural environment. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey. #UGASREL #AugustaUniversity #Education #Research #ScienceEducation #EnvironmentalOutreach

?? As National Invasive Species Awareness Week continues, we’re highlighting the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), a species that may resemble native treefrogs but is significantly impacting local ecosystems. Larger, faster-growing, and highly adaptable, these frogs outcompete native species, prey on smaller wildlife, and spread rapidly. Originally from the Caribbean, Cuban treefrogs consume a wide range of prey, including insects, spiders, lizards, native frogs, and even small birds and mammals. They also produce a sticky mucus secretion that can irritate human skin and eyes, adding another layer to their invasive advantage. Understanding how invasive species like the Cuban treefrog alter ecosystems is critical to monitoring biodiversity and protecting native species. #UGASREL #Research #Education #Ecology #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek