PODCAST · science
Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project
by Dirac Twidwell Jr.
Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive resource on the spread and impacts of Eastern redcedar, one of the most well-studied and problematic invasive species in North America. Scientists have reached clear consensus about the problems posed by Eastern redcedar invasions. As scientists, we feel an ethical responsibility to disseminate decades of research findings to the general public, politicians, K-12 educators, natural resource professionals, city planners, and the next generation of scientists. This site provides the facts that should be used to question existing land management practices, to critique existing government policies and future proposals, and to hopefully create a more literate and informed society. Every citizen in the Great Plains should know the costs of Eastern redcedar invasion and the underlying reasons for this new environmental problem.
Episodes
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Should We Use Fire to Manage Land?
Humans have always used prescribed fire to manage land in the Great Plains. Indigenous groups used prescribed fire to shape the Great Plains landscapes and create environments in which they could thrive. Prescribed fires used to manage land are very different from wildfires. The risk of fatality…
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Controlling Eastern Redcedar: Mechanical Treatments or Prescribed Fire?
Science has shown that mechanical control of cedar has not performed up to expectations of controlling cedar invasion at desired scales. Mechanical treatments are expensive and target a single invasion stage. While, prescribed fire can target seeds, seedlings, small trees, large trees and stands…
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Does it Require Wildfire to Kill Eastern Redcedar?
Eastern redcedar is a fire sensitive tree that is killed using prescribed fire. Fire intensities of 160 kilowatts per meter, equivalent to ~ 2-3 foot flame length, are required to kill cedar trees. Many prescribed fires are just below this intensity, but scientists and land managers have found…
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Do Windbreaks Contribute to Eastern Redcedar Infestation of Grasslands?
Planting cedar in the Great Plains has increased cedar seed sources at an unprecedented scale and now contributes to cedar invasion. Originally, scientists assumed that cedar was not capable of naturally spreading from windbreaks due to the difficulty of establishing cedar windbreaks in…
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Is Cedar Invasion Simply an Issue for Ranchers?
The dust bowl is a well-known state transition where ecosystems transitioned from a productive state to an unproductive state. Like the dustbowl, Eastern redcedar invasion is causing a state transition in the Great Plains, but with very different impacts. The impacts of cedar invasion extend well...
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How Does Cedar Impact Wildlife in the Great Plains?
Eastern redcedar expansion causes major shifts in wildlife communities and is among the largest conservation challenges in the Great Plains. The Plains’ iconic prairie chickens are among the first species impacted by cedar encroachment. As cedar becomes dominant, many other species decline....
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Is Eastern Redcedar an Invasive Species?
Eastern redcedar is an invasive species in the Great Plains because its natural enemy—fire—has been nearly eliminated, causing a rapid expansion of cedar into environments where it was historically absent. Many invasive species overcome natural enemies through introductions into new geographic...
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Future of the Great Plains Without Fire
Elimination of fire from the Great Plains is obtainable through complete conversion of rangelands and forests to cropland and asphalt. However, fire suppression efforts are successful and cause major changes in Great Plains ecosystems. The future of the Great Plains with fire suppression would...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive resource on the spread and impacts of Eastern redcedar, one of the most well-studied and problematic invasive species in North America. Scientists have reached clear consensus about the problems posed by Eastern redcedar invasions. As scientists, we feel an ethical responsibility to disseminate decades of research findings to the general public, politicians, K-12 educators, natural resource professionals, city planners, and the next generation of scientists. This site provides the facts that should be used to question existing land management practices, to critique existing government policies and future proposals, and to hopefully create a more literate and informed society. Every citizen in the Great Plains should know the costs of Eastern redcedar invasion and the underlying reasons for this new environmental problem.
HOSTED BY
Dirac Twidwell Jr.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project have?
Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project currently has 8 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project about?
Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive resource on the spread and impacts of Eastern redcedar, one of the most well-studied and problematic invasive species in North America. Scientists have reached clear consensus about the problems posed by Eastern redcedar invasions. As scientists, we...
How often does Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project release new episodes?
Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project has 8 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project?
You can listen to Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project?
Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project is created and hosted by Dirac Twidwell Jr..
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