FSWCD on-going research

Interior Alaska Hay Field Renovation study:

This project will test the effectiveness of four different treatments to improve soil health and hay production on overly compacted, low production hay fields in Interior Alaska. The treatments include:
(1) using an overseeder to seed brome, (2) using an overseeder to seed tillage radishes, (3) overseeding tillage radishes in two consecutive summers, (4) broadcast seeding radishes, and (5) control plots. Tillage radishes are valued for their ability to break up compaction, improve nutrient availability, and improve water infiltration rates.Work has begun on this project and will continue for the next three-four years. For more information, contact Jessica at 479-1213 x107.

  A tillage radish (above)

FSWCD Proposed Research

This spring, FSWCD applied for a Conservation Innovation Grant for the project "Evaluation of Cover Crop Seeding and Termination Methods on Small Scale Organic Farms in Northern Alaska". In the fall we will find out whether our project was funded or not.

Cover crops provide many benefits and are integral components to many organic cropping systems. Cover crops are known to help retain soil nutrients, prevent soil erosion, build soil organic matter, break up soil compaction, add nitrogen, conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Small scale producers in Alaska have been reluctant to include cover crops in their normal cropping rotation due to lack of equipment, knowledge, and experience planting and terminating them. This project will demonstrate seeding methods, termination methods, and compare several different types of cover crops, as well as measuring the changes within the soil.

FSWCD Past Research

Agricultural Trials and Demonstration Projects:
From 2010-2011, FSWCD conducted a Forage Renovation Demonstration investigating the benefits of aeration and urease inhibitor use on hay fields in interior Alaska. To view the brochure, click here. We plan to conduct more agricultural demonstrations in the future as funding allows.

FSWCD Youth Crew Research Assistance

FSWCD Youth Habitat Corps in partnership with the USFWS assisted the University of Alaska, University of Miami in Ohio, and the USFWS with several research projects including a boreal owl study, invasive weeds "brown down" and Chinook Salmon reproduction in the Chena River.

Alaska Association of Conservation Districts Research

Assessing the Vulnerability of Western Alaska Ecosystems and Subsistence Resources to Non-native Plant Invasion:

There is overwhelming evidence that invasive plants present a serious threat to Alaska's biodiversity, natural resources, and subsistence lifestyles. As climate changes and human disturbance and transport intensifies in Alaska, the likelihood of invasive plant introductions and spread has dramatically increased. In the past 60 years, the number of non native species such as white sweet clover (Melilotus alba) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), have spread along several rivers in Alaska, including critical fish and wildlife habitat such as the Kenai River, Deep Creek, and Resurrection River on the Kenai Peninsula.

Western Alaska is presumed to be relatively free from invasive plant species, as the majority of invasive plants have been recorded along the connected road system. However, long term invasive plant surverys in Western Alaska are sparse. Comprehensive surveys of Dillingham and the Bristol Bay region conducted in 2010 indicated relatively small populations of several high risk invasive species. Invasive plants are easiest and most cost effective to control when populations are small and isolated. A coordinated cooperative research effort between U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts is addressing the future vulnerability of western Alaskan ecosystems to non-native plant invasions in a changing climate.

The specific research goals being addressed by our project are:

1) Increase baseline data on distributions of invasive plant species in the Bristol Bay area

2) Evaluate the current and future vulnerability of important subsistence resource habitats (such as anadromous streams) to multiple invasive plant species in a changing climate.

Persistence of herbicide residues in Northern soils

Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District (SDSWCD) and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) are working in collaboration through federal USDA-NRCS funding to investigate persistence times of Aminopyralid, Clopyralid, and Metsulfuron-methyl herbicide residues in northern soils. We are developing an analytical method for quantifying residues of these three herbicides in soils in Delta Junction, AK, and using these newly-developed methods to quantify herbicide residue levels over time in treated soils.

FSWCD Goals

Our Annual Report for fiscal year '12-'13 is now available to be viewed by clicking here. This document summarizes the work we have done for each FSWCD goal, including:

1. Prevention and Eradication of Noxious & Invasive Species,
2. Conservation of Plant and Soil Resources,
3. Sustainable Agricultural Resources & Economy,
4. Conservation/Maintenance of Water Resources,
5. Conservation of Forest Resources,
6. Education, and
7. Promotion of Affordable Energy