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Prairie RestorationKevin Kulik
http://www.wildanimalplanet.com/prairie.html
French explorers first came across what they called “Prairies” which was their word for meadows.
One of the earliest formal definitions of a Prairie was by John T. Curtis, an ecologist at The University of Wisconsin.◦ -An open community dominated by grasses, and
having less than one tree per acre.
What is a Prairie?
Over 30 grass species◦ Extensive roots◦ Decay in Place
Over 250 forb species◦ Sunflower◦ Milkweed
Less extensive roots
Plants of the Prairie
Bison Prairie Dog Badger Grasshopper Butterfly Ant
Animals of the Prairie
Contain 120 tons of organic matter per acre◦ Forests in comparison contain 70tons/acre
Grass roots extend 5 to 7 feet down◦ Enrich the soil with nutrients as they decay
Ants build mounds and as they do so mix and aerate the soil.
◦ Bring up nutrients and clay particles from subsoil.
◦ Abandon mounds continuously and build new ones.
Soil
Along comes Agriculture
“The tossing, blooming, perfumed grass is swept away by wheat” -Vachel Lindsay
Prairies exploited because of their rich soil.
East of the Missouri ◦ Critically Endangered◦ 99% of Prairies lost
West of the Missouri◦ Endangered◦ 85% of Prairies lost
http://projectgroupb.wordpress.com/the-amish-culture/
Most Bison have been eliminated
Added certain livestock◦ Cows, Pigs, etc.
Altered Water Tables Suppressed Natural Fires
More Human Impact…
http://www.amazon.com/Settlers-Plains-Fighting-Prairie-Giclee/dp/B0033F5E50
Attract Wildlife◦ Songbirds, Butterflies, Bison
Environmental Benefits◦ Deep root system helps improve water quality◦ Improves air quality
Improved Aesthetics◦ More diversity and more appealing than farm land
Education◦ Provide a place where people can take their kids
and teach them about nature
Benefits of Restoration
Collect seeds◦ Buy from supplier◦ Collect by hand if from rare
plants
When Collecting◦ Take no more than 50% of
seed pop from perennials◦ Take no more than 10% of
annual plants
Starting Off
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/rareplants/conservation/success/frozen_garden.shtml
The amount of weed seed present in the planting site is one of the most unpredictable factors in prairie restoration.
This can be counteracted by Planting in the middle of the growing season◦ Allows weeds to grow and be eradicated before Prairie
plants are planted.
Planting and then mowing taller weeds and leaving smaller Prairie plants unharmed Is also effective
Planting and Dealing with Weeds
Fire can be used to reduce weeds.◦ This effectively provides more nourishment for
native prairie plants
In the later stages of restoration fire helps keep out woody species.
Burning should be done in Spring◦ This provides cover for wildlife in the colder
winter months.
Fire in the Restoration
http://blog.travelks.com/prairie-fire-festival-honors-dramatic-flint-hills-tradition/
If site is large enough Bison can be added
To sustain bison ◦ 1,000 acres supports around
90 bison units 1 bison unit = 1 1,000 pound
bison
Bison grow annually by 80-90% based on mature females◦ Remove oldest and youngest
once ideal pop has been reached
◦ Sell for profit
Adding Bison
http://buffalo-meat.info/buffalo-meat-facts/
Forage Selectively on Grasses◦ Increase other plants
abundance
Wallow◦ Create great
habitats for weeds◦ Once burned these
weeds give way to Prairie Pioneers
Benefits of Bison
http://www.npcn.net/index.php/pages/pages_template/documents/bittercreek_sum.PDF/P10/
"Benefits of Prairies." HCUCA. Hamilton County Urban Conservation Association, Inc. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. <http://www.hamiltoncountyuca.org/prairiebenefits.html>
Howe H. F., 1994. Managing Species diversity in Tallgrass Prairie: Assumptions and Implications. Conservation Biology *: 691-704
Karnowski, Steve. "Bison Market Expanding Fast | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN."JournalGazette.net - Home Page | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN. Associated Press, 10 Jan. 2011. Web. 21 Apr. 2011.
Noss, R. F., E. T. LaRoe III, and J. M. Scott. 1995. Endangered Ecosystems of the United States: a Preliminary assessment of Loss and Degradation. Biological Report 28. National Biological Service, Washington, D. C., USA.
Packard, Stephen, and Cornelia Fleischer. Mutel. The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: for Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Washington, D.C.: Island, 1997. Print.
Schramm, P. 1978. The ‘‘do’s’’ and ‘‘don’ts’’ of prairie restoration. Pages 139–150 in D. C. Glenn-Lewin and R. C. Landers, editors. Proceedings of the Fifth Midwest Prairie Conference, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, US
Shirley, Shirley. Restoring the Tallgrass Prairie: an Illustrated Manual for Iowa and the Upper Midwest. Iowa City: University of Iowa, 1994. Print.
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