The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) has been the site of numerous research studies and projects since its inception.  Many have sought to characterize the types of vegetation, insects, birds and other animals present, while others have focused on shifts in these flora and fauna over time.  Some studies have been more observational and some have been quite scientific in nature, often with several years of data collected and analyzed.  Some of the more prominent projects that have occurred within the MPEA are:

  • Woodcock Recruitment and Habitat Maintenance - The primary objective of this long-term effort is to facilitate the return of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor) to the MPEA by counteracting natural succession (fields becoming forest) in select locations to maintain desirable woodcock foraging, nesting, singing and roosting areas. Monitoring for woodcock presence and courtship behavior is conducted each year.

  • Deer Exclosure Study – Evaluated the level and patterns of deer browsing in the MPEA and resultant effect on abundance of invasive plant species. The research results supports the need for the managed deer hunts and efforts to contorl invasive species in the MPEA.

  • Floristic Study – This effort assessed changes in species composition, percent cover and location within the MPEA over time. The analysis suggested that conditions at the MPEA are typical for a mid-successional secondary forest.

  • Stormwater Mitigation at Wood Elves Way – This project was intended to raise awareness about watershed issues, encourage those in the microwatershed to consider ways they can help reduce stormwater runoff, and mitigate storm water damage to the extent possible. Through these efforts, a gully carved out by discharge from a stormwater pipe over 35 years has been transformed into a more naturally flowing channel design that slows the flow of rainwater, allowing water to infiltrate into the ground, and minimizing further erosion.

  • Stream Surveys: The Maryland Department of Natural Resouces (DNR) Stream Waders Program, Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA), HOA Program and Columbia Association (CA) and other environmental organizations have sampled several lengths of stream in/near MPEA to assess stream health and catalog stream biodiversity.

  • In addition, MPEA has hosted these scientific studies:

    • Dr. Andrew Li, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.  GPS tracking of white-tailed deer movements to understand tick-host interaction and improve Lyme disease vector control in Howard County.

    • Megan Bolcar, Hood College Graduate School. A Comparison of Edge Effects Between Managed Early Successional Areas and Residential Areas in the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

    • Dr. Kevin Omland, Department of Biological Sciences, UMBC. Using geolocators to determine migration routes and wintering localities of Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles.

    • Evangeline Shank, PhD. student, Department of Biological Sciences, UMBC.  Studying song structure and singing behavior in both male and female Eastern Bluebirds.

    • Dr. Sonja Scheffer, Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA.  Conducting a study of the insect fauna of the MPEA and adjacent RNC.

    • Elizabeth Schotman, Masters candidate, Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology, UMBC.  Conducting a study of invasive plant species populations in response to goat grazing, targeted herbicide applications, and a combination of the two removal techniques.