For the first episode in our Oaktober mini-series, we discuss the general biology of oaks. Listen as we breakdown the definition of mast seeding, the proximate and ultimate causes of masting, the direct and indirect effects it has on wildlife, local and regional scale masting effects, the differences in quality between oak species, the squirrel death games, and more.

Resources:

Bogdziewicz, M., et al. (2023). Maximizing the Moran effect: summer solstice orchestrates the subcontinental-scale synchrony of mast seeding.

Bogdziewicz, et al. (2023). Mechanisms driving interspecific variation in regional synchrony of trees reproduction. Ecology Letters, 26(5), 754-764.

Bogdziewicz, M., et al. (2024). Evolutionary ecology of masting: mechanisms, models, and climate change. Trends in Ecology & Evolution.

Boggess, C. M., et al. (2021). Facultative seed predators drive community-level indirect effects of mast seeding. Forest Ecology and Management, 502, 119713.

Journé, V., et al. (2023). Forecasting seed production in perennial plants: identifying challenges and charting a path forward. New Phytologist, 239(2), 466-476.

Managing hardwoods: Oak biology | #49

Niedzielski, B., & Bowman, J. (2015). Survival and cause-specific mortality of the female eastern wild turkey at its northern range edge. Wildlife Research, 41(7), 545-551.

Szymkowiak, J., et al. (2024). Masting ontogeny: the largest masting benefits accrue to the largest trees.

Szymkowiak, J., et al. (2024). Community-wide masting improves predator satiation in North American oaks. Forest Ecology and Management, 569, 122172.

Thogmartin, W. E., & Johnson, J. E. (1999). Reproduction in a declining population of wild turkeys in Arkansas. The Journal of wildlife management, 1281-1290.

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

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Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak