Research Activities
The LowCountry Institute has developed partnerships with regional universities and state and federal organizations to create an exciting research program to address local issues. Spring Island (office location of LCI) has been used as an outdoor laboratory for a wide variety projects. Other research projects have focused on the greater Port Royal Sound watershed.
To date, LCI has provided $87,000 and the university partners have provided over $350,000 in support for these programs (1999-2008). Much of this research was also supported by a partnership between LCI and the Spring Island Trust, which has almost 20 years of experience of experimenting with the best ways to manage local habitats effectively, especially those that are in close proximity to residential areas.
research: example projects
Painted Buntings
The Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) belongs to the Passerina genus of birds in the Cardinal family Cardinalidae. The painted bunting is found in thickets, woodland edges and brushy areas, along roadsides, in suburban areas, and gardens. The male was once a popular caged bird, but now its capture is illegal. Populations are declining on the East Coast where habitat is being lost to development. The breeding range includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana.
Painted buntings are one of the most beautiful birds in North America and appear to be in decline as their coastal habitats are being lost. Because of their beauty, these migratory birds also are captured for the pet trade.
- Jay Garcia completed a master’s project (Clemson, 2004) on the nesting behaviors of painted buntings on Spring Island and the Webb Wildlife Center, a refuge owned by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
- Another Clemson graduate student, Jessica Gorzo, is currently researching the ecology of painted buntings on golf courses. Gorzo is building upon research conducted by Garcia and trying to create management recommendations which can be used on coastal golf courses to increase habitat for painted buntings.
- Paul Sykes, an ornithologist with the USGS, also uses Spring Island as a regular study site for a long-term study looking at painted buntings along the east coast.