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What is CRISSP?
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The Center for Research on Invasive Species and Small
Populations (CRISSP) was established at the
University of Idaho (UI)
as a multidisciplinary center to provide leadership in research and outreach
that address challenges presented by declining populations of native flora and
fauna and the spread of invasive species, with special emphasis on understanding
the lineages between these threats to native and managed ecosystems in the
region.
MISSION
Declines in populations of native flora and fauna and the
spread of invasive species are two human caused ecological phenomena threatening
the stability of ecosystems, the ecosystem services they provide, and the
capacity of managed ecosystems for sustainable production. These two
threats are typically addressed separately, but are linked directly and
indirectly through ecological processes and the human systems that are affected.
CRISSP provides leadership and promotes research and outreach that addresses
these threats with special emphasis on the links between them. CRISSP
provides information related to these issues to stakeholders and policymakers to
ensure the problems are understood comprehensively and address effectively.
BACKGROUND
The Center for Research on Invasive Species and Small Populations was
created following a competitive $954,000 three year award of the Idaho State Board of Education Grant (SBOE)
for its inception. The SBOE Grant provided initial funding for undergraduate
summer research internships, partial graduate student stipends, and
post-doctorial fellowships. In addition, funds were used to acquire and/or
update equipment and partially fund the manager of the Laboratory for Ecology
and Conservation Genetics (LCEG), which is at the core of CRISSP related
research projects. Lastly, funds were used to implement and outreach
program for the dissemination of CRISSP project results.
CRISSP makes use of the diverse expertise of 27 faculty
across 4 colleges within the University of Idaho to address through broad and
cross-disciplinary approaches two connected sets of topics affecting the regions
agricultural and natural resources bases: 1) the challenges to declining
populations of native flora and fauna and 2) the threats posed by invasive
species. More importantly, CRISSP takes a unique approach in linking the
two subject areas as it is known that invasive species are one of the prevalent
causes for the decline of small populations. CRISSP research results in
expert policies and outreach efforts on management practices that will assist
federal and state agencies involved in natural and agricultural resource
management in their efforts to aide small populations and control invasive
species.
CRISSP faculty test the divergence of gene flow in speciation of
western chipmunks (Tamias ruficaudus) a Northern Rockies endemic
red-tailed chipmunk.
RESEARCH
CRISSP researchers use biotechnological and conventional methods to address
pressing ecological problems in agriculture and natural resource management.
Specifically, CRISSP members target the ecology of invasive species, and the
management of small or declining populations, both subject areas with broad
economic and environmental implications for the northwestern states. The
center builds upon existing strengths such as the Laboratory for Ecological and
Conservation Genetics (LCEG), a multi-user research facility within the College
of Natural Resources and the scientific talent resident at the University of
Idaho and area colleges and research institutions. Recent advances in
molecular technologies have led to entirely new areas of inquiry in the fields
of biology, agriculture and natural resources that allow geneticists,
ecologists, agronomists, and social scientists to collaboratively solve
problems. Application of these technologies requires both expertise and
state of the art equipment. CRISSP gathered several laboratories and
research facilities under its umbrella that allows the roaster of currently 27
nationally and internationally prominent scientists within the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), the College of Law, the College of Natural
Resources (CNR), and the College of Science to address problems and develop
management strategies to maintain the regions biodiversity and agricultural and
natural resource bases.
The purpose of CRISSP is to foster innovative and collaborative research across
natural sciences, social sciences, and law that will serve any and all clients
and stakeholders of the center and inform management decisions. Projects
will give equal importance to small and declining populations and invasive
species problems while emphasis will be given to projects that link both subject
areas. Regardless of subject area, each project will utilize the full
breadth of multi- and cross-disciplinary research and education unique to
CRISSP.
OUTREACH and EDUCATION
Effective management of small populations
and of invasive species involves scientific expertise and coordination in both
the public and private spheres. CRISSP aims to build communication between
research and land management through its expertise in natural and social
sciences. The center's science experience includes aquatic and terrestrial
ecology, molecular biology, remote sensing, population modeling, threatened
native plant and animal species, as well as invasive plants, animals, diseases,
and fungi. Social science experience includes research in policy, law,
environmental economics, environmental science education, community-based
conservation planning and public involvement.
CRISSP seeks to strengthen relationships and
collaborations with universities, non-for-profit organizations, and all levels
of government. CRISSP specifically emphasizes on collaborative projects
with and for independent tribal nations.
Results of CRISSP projects on invasive
species and small population projects are distributed in a variety of ways.
The center builds awareness through undergraduate research experience programs,
graduate and post-graduate research opportunities that are communicated through
respective scientific journal articles, in extension journals, bulletins, and
pamphlets through the Cooperative Extension Service System and through
specialist and public workshops. CRISSP also has a semi-annual newsletter
that will be distributed electronically and in hardcopy to a mailing list.
Further, comprehensive information about CRISSP and its projects will be
provided on the center's website at
www.cnr.uidaho.edu/crissp/. Examples of outreach include but are not
limited to one-on-one workshops, presentations in public schools, environmental
education programs, community involvement projects, and client tailored outreach
products.
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CRISSP PROJECT PHOTOS |
Three postdoctoral research projects received funding
and multiple graduate student fellowships and projects involving research on
invasive species and conservation biology projects were conducted.
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