The creepy crawlers that eat oak leaves are the focus of the canopy insect study. So far, the scientist on this study has recorded 245 species, mostly moth larvae. By sampling four times per year, he has discovered that few species from one sample will be found in the next. Lab work in this study is determining what parasites of moths exist in the Ozarks that will be natural control agents for the gypsy moth, when it arrives. Two studies in place are collecting data to determine annual production and how it varies by season or growing conditions.
Technicians identify each acorn by species, determine if it is sound, then weigh each sample.
Preliminary analyses show extreme variability in acorn production both from location to location and from year to year. The soft mast study works closely with the data from the vegetation study. Although many plants can produce soft mast in the forest, most often they do not. Both mast studies will determine how timber management practices affect fruit production. One study is not field intensive but takes an enormous amount of laboratory time.