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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Manitoba's Tall-Grass Prairie Conservation Project, Joanne Joyce, John P. Morgan
Manitoba's Tall-Grass Prairie Conservation Project, Joanne Joyce, John P. Morgan
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Manitoba's tall grass prairies mark the northernmost extent of that community in North America and historically comprised the most extensive area of tallgrass prairie in Canada. The Tall-Grass Prairie Conservation Project is Manitoba's first systematic inventory of this community. Potential sites were located using black-and-white aerial photography, land-use maps, and referrals from outside sources. Sites were systematically ground-checked and ranked using native species dominance, abundance and diversity, evidence of disturbance, and location. About 19% (116,600 ha) of the historic range of the true prairie was surveyed between May and October of 1987; an additional 23% (138,000 ha) was surveyed between …
Landscape Design Awards
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Commercial/Industrial Honor Award
Is Fire A Disturbance In Grasslands?, E. W. Evans, J. M. Briggs, E. J. Finck, D. J. Gibson, S. W. James, D. W. Kaufman, T. R. Seastedt
Is Fire A Disturbance In Grasslands?, E. W. Evans, J. M. Briggs, E. J. Finck, D. J. Gibson, S. W. James, D. W. Kaufman, T. R. Seastedt
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Many grasslands, and in particular the tallgrass prairies of North America, are generally thought to be maintained by periodic fire. Semantic disagreement among researchers, however, threatens to hamper discussion of fire as an ecological force in grassland ecosystems. Some authors emphasize that fires are disturbances (or perturbations) since these fires disrupt or alter ecosystem states, trends, and dynamics (e.g., accumulating nitrogen is volatilized, plant and animal communities change in composition). Other researchers point out that, because these fire-induced disruptions and alterations can maintain the status quo of the ecosystem (e. g., prevent it from becoming woodland), it is the lack …
Inventory, Assessment, And Ranking Of Natural Areas Of Walpole Island, P. Allen Woodliffe
Inventory, Assessment, And Ranking Of Natural Areas Of Walpole Island, P. Allen Woodliffe
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
A two-year study was begun in 1985 to document and assess the highly significant natural history features of the Walpole Island Indian Reserve in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The northern part of the island complex, where extensive prairie, savannah, and hardwood communities remain, was divided into 30 areas. The southern part, consisting of agricultural lands and wetlands was not examined. Through intensive field study and literature search, over 800 vascular plant species have been recorded from Walpole. Of the total, 12% (97) are rare in Ontario, and 1 % (8) are not known elsewhere in Canada. Ninety-two species of birds have …
Influence Of Harvest And Nitrogen Fertilizer On Four Warm-Season Grasses, James L. Stubbendieck, Cheryl A, Nielsen
Influence Of Harvest And Nitrogen Fertilizer On Four Warm-Season Grasses, James L. Stubbendieck, Cheryl A, Nielsen
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Two cultivars each of four warm-season grass species under three N fertilizer treatments and three harvesting regimes were studied to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and harvest date on forage yield. Research was conducted in eastern Nebraska on an alluvial soil. The eight grasses studied were 'Blaze' and 'PM-K-129' little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash], 'Cave-in-Rock' and 'Pathfinder' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), 'Holt' and 'Oto' indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash], and 'Kaw' and 'Pawnee' big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii Vitman). Dates of harvest were mid-July, mid-August, and early October. Regrowth from plots harvested in …
Hulbert's Study Of Factors Effecting Botanical Composition Of Tallgrass Prairie, David J. Gibson
Hulbert's Study Of Factors Effecting Botanical Composition Of Tallgrass Prairie, David J. Gibson
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Lloyd Hulbert's death in May 1986 left a wealth of unfinished projects as well as the legacy of Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas. One of these was an incomplete manuscript on fire, mowing, and soil effects on the tallgrass prairie, in which canopy cover and frequency in 27 soil-treatment combinations from Konza Prairie were reported. Treatments included unburned and April burned at 1-,2-, and 4-year intervals, annual burning during three seasons, and mowing during two seasons. Soils ranged from deep and non-rocky to shallow, rocky, silty clay loams. Late April burning favored tall C4 grasses at the expense of …
Germplasm Resources Information Network And Ex Situ Conservation Of Germplasm, Mark P. Widrlechner
Germplasm Resources Information Network And Ex Situ Conservation Of Germplasm, Mark P. Widrlechner
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), the master database of the National Plant Germplasm System, was queried to measure the usefulness and limitations of ex situ germplasm collections for prairie research. A list of 862 taxa of grasses and forbs native to the prairies of the midwestern United States was checked in a stepwise fashion against recognized names in the GRIN database. Each species was checked against recognized names in the taxonomy area of the database. For each recognized species, the accessions area was queried to see if any populations were entered in the database. The inventory area was then …
Fungus Disease In Relation To Managing Prairie Plants With Fire, Judy F. Shearer, Lois H. Tiffany
Fungus Disease In Relation To Managing Prairie Plants With Fire, Judy F. Shearer, Lois H. Tiffany
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Specific fungal foliar diseases were assessed on selected prairie plant species in relation to fire as a management practice on Hayden Prairie Preserve, Iowa. Selected plant species in burned and unburned areas were visually inspected and rated for presence and severity of specific fungal diseases at three sampling times in July and September 1987 and in June 1988. Less disease and lower disease severity ratings were recorded on plants in burned areas except for powdery mildew on Canada tickclover [Desmodium canadense (L.) DC.]. Increasing amounts of disease developed on plants in the areas unburned for one and two years.
Five Years Of Annual Prairie Burns, Donald A. Becker
Five Years Of Annual Prairie Burns, Donald A. Becker
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
A prairie site at Pipestone National Monument in southwestern Minnesota was burned each spring from 1983-1987. During the past century of use, much of the site had been invaded by various, non-native, cool-season grasses and broadleaf weeds. Also, various woody species have invaded parts of the site. Annual bums generally induced positive changes in native remnants, primarily with big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis A. Gray) increasing cover from 6.4 to 21.0%. Cover of native forbs also increased, from 6.5 to 12.8%, due to increased vigor of existing plants and establishment of new individuals. …
Extent Of Woody Vegetation On The Prairie In Eastern Nebraska, 1855-1857, Steven J. Rothenberger
Extent Of Woody Vegetation On The Prairie In Eastern Nebraska, 1855-1857, Steven J. Rothenberger
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Early surveyors' notes from five counties bordering the Platte River in eastern Nebraska were utilized to measure the extent of original woody vegetation in this region. These data were compared to field studies from the same area made from 1979-1983, were used to determine areas of prairie-forest transition, and were used to tabulate the extent of woody vegetation in the lower Platte River Valley at the time of European settlement (1855-1857). Using a modified importance value based on relative density and relative dominance of witness trees, the highest ranking pre-settlement tree species were cottonwood [Populus eltoides Marsh. spp. monilifera …
Sod Seeded Warm-Season Grass With And Without Sod Suppression, B. L. Bush, Steven S. Waller, Bruce E. Anderson, Lowell E. Moser, R. M. Wozniak
Sod Seeded Warm-Season Grass With And Without Sod Suppression, B. L. Bush, Steven S. Waller, Bruce E. Anderson, Lowell E. Moser, R. M. Wozniak
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Re-vegetation of deteriorated mixed prairie by sod seeding with a lo-till planter minimizes erosion. Critical periods of inter- and intraspecific competition must be identified to design effective methods of sod suppression and seeding rate. Sod seeding studies were conducted in two counties in south central Nebraska over a 3-year period on a silty range site (fine-silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Argiustolls). Sites were dominated by blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud.] and buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.]. Warm-season native grasses were sod seeded with and without chemical sod suppression. Sod seeding required sod suppression for consistent stand …
Writing Construction Specifications For Prairie Landscapes: The Basics, Jon Bryan Burley
Writing Construction Specifications For Prairie Landscapes: The Basics, Jon Bryan Burley
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Prairie landscaping is being incorporated into the construction industry. This means that designers of prairie landscapes must be able to communicate landscape specifications to landscape contractors. At present, the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) format has been adopted by the construction industry as the organizing structure to communicate specifications. This paper describes the CSI specification structure and its application in preparing prairie landscaping construction specifications. The paper describes the importance of divisions zero, one, and two plus sections 02200, 02920, 02930, 02950, and 02970. In addition, the paper presents basic key principles in writing each specification section and the content of …
Vegetation Dynamics Of Three Tallgrass Prairie Sites, Jon K. Piper, Mark C. Gernes
Vegetation Dynamics Of Three Tallgrass Prairie Sites, Jon K. Piper, Mark C. Gernes
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
As part of research to develop a sustainable agriculture that incorporates many aspects of the North American Prairie, I) the seasonal phytomass levels supportable by native prairie and 2) how plant taxa shift in temporal importance within the community were examined. This report summarizes the first two years of a study documenting community patterns on three tallgrass prairie sites in Saline County, Kansas that differ in soil type and annual productivity. Average August phytomass at the three sites ranged from 284 to 682 g/m2 in 1986 and from 377 to 1077 g/m2 in 1987. Diversity declined with standing …
Thematic Mapper Digital Data For Predicting Aboveground Tallgrass Prairie Biomass, John M. Briggs, Duane Nellis
Thematic Mapper Digital Data For Predicting Aboveground Tallgrass Prairie Biomass, John M. Briggs, Duane Nellis
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Landsat thematic mapper digital data was found to offer an excellent potential for regular monitoring of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem by providing estimates of aboveground biomass production. Data from seven channels of a May thematic mapper scene were analyzed individually and in various combinations using stepwise regression in Statistical Analysis System (SAS). These procedures were used to determine the most appropriate multiple regression equation for estimating production of 1) total live aboveground biomass, 2) grasses, 3) forbs, 4) previous years dead, and 5) current years dead. Regression equations were based on satellite-derived estimates relative to ground level biomass values for …
The Vegetation History Of Hempstead Plains, New York, Richard Stalter, Wayne Seyfert
The Vegetation History Of Hempstead Plains, New York, Richard Stalter, Wayne Seyfert
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Hempstead Plains, once encompassing 24,282 hectares, originally extended from western Suffolk County, to eastern Queens County, Long Island, New York. Hicks (1892), Harper (1918), Ferguson (1925), Cain et al. (1937), and Seyfert (1972), contended that Hempstead Plains was always devoid of arboreous growth, though Bailey (1949) maintained that shrubs and trees grew on the Plains. Those who have made important vegetation studies of the Plains included Hicks (1892), Harper (1918), Ferguson (1925), Conard (1935), Seyfert (1972), and Stalter and Lamont (1987). Stalter and Lamont (1987) studied a 8.5 ha remnant in the vicinity of Mitchell Field and found little bluestem …
Species Composition Of Old Settler Silt -Loam Prairies, Robert F. Betz, Herbert F. Lamp
Species Composition Of Old Settler Silt -Loam Prairies, Robert F. Betz, Herbert F. Lamp
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Over the course of a decade, studies were conducted throughout northern Illinois and northeastern Indiana to locate old settler cemeteries containing prairie vegetation and to determine their species composition. Of the 824 cemeteries investigated in 42 counties in northern Illinois and in 20 counties in northwestern Indiana, 150 contained some prairie species. Of the 44 cemeteries that had sufficient prairie species to warrant study, 29 were silt-loam prairies, 14 were sand and silt-loam savannas, and one was a sand prairie. A total of 180 species of prairie plants were found in the 29 silt-loam cemetery prairies, belonging to 43 different …
Bluestem Seed Midge Influence On Sexual Reproduction Of Big Bluestem: A Review, K. P. Vogel, G. R. Manglitz
Bluestem Seed Midge Influence On Sexual Reproduction Of Big Bluestem: A Review, K. P. Vogel, G. R. Manglitz
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
A Cecidomyiid midge (Contarinia wattsi Gagne') has been identified as a significant parasite of big bluestem [Andropogon gerardii Vitman var. gerardii] by adversely affecting the production of viable seeds. The midge was first identified from specimens collected from big bluestem racemes in 1983 in eastern Nebraska. Subsequent collections and studies have shown that it is widespread in the Great Plains, and that it can reduce seed yields of big bluestem by over 40%. The midges apparently over winter as diapausing larvae in disarticulated spikelets, emerge as adults at the time of early panicle emergence, and lay their …
An Essay On The Concept Of Demonstration Rooftop Prairies, Patrick Horsbrugh
An Essay On The Concept Of Demonstration Rooftop Prairies, Patrick Horsbrugh
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The concept of demonstration prairies on the roofs of industrial and commercial premises is recommended as a means of stimulating interest in prairie ecology and of providing educational facilities in urban areas. The economics of such rooftop locations for prairie studies and research depends upon the multiple use of land for seemingly incompatible activities. The use of selected vegetation as an integral part of the structure provides the opportunity for the prairie to invade the city, while potentially offering the benefits of effective insulation, microclimatic modification, and reductions in roof maintenance costs. This would be one method to meet the …
51-Year Change In The Shortgrass Prairie Of Eastern Wyoming, Herbert G. Fisser, Kendall L. Johnson, Kellie S. Moore, Glenn E. Plumb
51-Year Change In The Shortgrass Prairie Of Eastern Wyoming, Herbert G. Fisser, Kendall L. Johnson, Kellie S. Moore, Glenn E. Plumb
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
In 1936, vegetation analyses were conducted on repurchased federal lands in the Powder River Basin of eastern Wyoming. During the summer of 1987 the 74 remaining plots of 97 originally established on a 2.6 km2 (1 mi2) area in Converse County were re-examined. Both surveys were conducted with the "square foot density procedure." During the past 51 years, vegetation abundance increased significantly on the saline upland site as a result of the interactive effects of favorable long-term weather patterns, annual grazing by livestock and wildlife, and reduced fire. Total vegetation cover increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 3% in 1936 to 11 % in 1987, including a threefold increase for all grasses and a fourfold increase for all woody species. A negligible change occurred for all forbs. A shift in the cover composition occurred with grasses decreasing from 52% to 44% and non-grass species showing a corresponding increase. All growth forms, except shrubs, gained wider distribution over the study period, especially succulents and annual grasses. Continuation of current management practices probably means that this range will not return to a short grass-dominated prairie.
Do You Know Platanthera Praeclara?, Rochelle Bjugstad, Ardell J. Bjugstad
Do You Know Platanthera Praeclara?, Rochelle Bjugstad, Ardell J. Bjugstad
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
This is a brief synthesis on the plant, habitat and range of the western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara Sheviak and Bowles). This species was once common in the tall grass prairie, but its numbers have been greatly reduced by improper management and loss of habitat. Comparisons are made to the eastern prairie fringed orchid [Platanthera leucophaea (Nutt.) Lindl].
Seasonal Activity Of Snakes On A Sand Prairie, Dwight R. Platt
Seasonal Activity Of Snakes On A Sand Prairie, Dwight R. Platt
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Snakes were caught in drift fence traps throughout the season of activity on a 32 ha sand prairie in Harvey County, Kansas, from 1966 through 1974. In these nine seasons, 128,281 trap station days yielded 6,412 captures of the six most common species of snakes: Pituophis melanoleucus sayi, Coluber constrictor jlaviventris, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis. Thamnophis radix haydeni, Heterodon nasicus, and Heterodon platirhinos. Seasonal activity patterns, although variable from year to year, had a bimodal pattern with a period of low activity in late July or late August. Increases in snake activity resulted from increases in population size due …
Rhizome And Tiller Development Of Three Nebraska Sandhills Warm-Season Grasses, John J. Brejda, Lowell E. Moser, Steven S. Waller
Rhizome And Tiller Development Of Three Nebraska Sandhills Warm-Season Grasses, John J. Brejda, Lowell E. Moser, Steven S. Waller
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Rhizome and tiller development of ungrazed switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), prairie sandreed [Calamolvilfa longifolia (Hook) Scribn.], and sand bluestem [Andropogon gerardii var. paucipilus (Nash) Fern.] were studied for two years in the Nebraska Sandhills. Rhizome growth of switchgrass began at the 4- to 5-leaf stage. Following tiller elongation, no new rhizomes developed but rhizome elongation continued. Many of the prairie sandreed tillers were biennial similar to those of indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash]. Spring tiller development on prairie sandreed came from both vertical and horizontal rhizomes and continuing growth of late emerging tillers from the previous year. …
Proceedings Of The Eleventh North American Prairie Conference: Cover
Proceedings Of The Eleventh North American Prairie Conference: Cover
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
No abstract provided.
Plant Species Composition And Groundwater Levels In A Platte River Wet Meadow, Paul J. Currier
Plant Species Composition And Groundwater Levels In A Platte River Wet Meadow, Paul J. Currier
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Species composition was monitored in seven permanent exclosures at Mormon Island Crane Meadows, near Grand Island, Nebraska from 1982 to 1987. Crane meadows is a 1,050 ha (2,600 acre) native lowland prairie complex with a corrugated topography of wetland swales and dry sand ridges. Variable precipitation, periodic over-bank flooding, and river stage fluctuations complicate the system's hydrology. In general, springs are wet, but, by late summer, the meadows are usually dry, closely paralleling river flows and precipitation patterns. A sustained high water period in 1983 and 1984 was responsible for major changes in species abundance. Plant responses were consistent with …
Long-Term Grass Dynamics Within A Mixed-Grass Prairie, Brian S. Mihlbacher, Fred E. Smeins, Gerald W. Thomas, Charles A. Taylor
Long-Term Grass Dynamics Within A Mixed-Grass Prairie, Brian S. Mihlbacher, Fred E. Smeins, Gerald W. Thomas, Charles A. Taylor
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Western portions of the Edwards Plateau are dominated by a grass mosaic which consists of a rhizomatous midgrass, tobosagrass [Hilaria mutica (Buckl.) Benth.], and two stoloniferous short grasses, common curlymesquite [Hilaria belangeri (Steud.) Nash] and buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.]. Permanent 0.3 m x 6 m belt transects were established on three major soil series (Tobosa, Ozona. Valera) across several grazing treatments on the Texas Range Station near Barnhart, Texas, and the distribution of perennial grasses was mapped in 1951 (pre-drought), 1953 (drought), 1957 (post-drought), and 1987. Cover showed no consistent trends in relation to grazing. Total …
Small Mammals Of A Relict Wet Prairie In Ohio, Eric D. Osborn, Carl W. Hoagstrom
Small Mammals Of A Relict Wet Prairie In Ohio, Eric D. Osborn, Carl W. Hoagstrom
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Killdeer Plains is a Wildlife Area in northwest Ohio managed primarily for waterfowl. At the turn of the century, the area was a wet prairie remnant of the prairie peninsula. Despite attempts at drainage and farming, parts of the area retain the characteristics of a wet prairie. Two spruce-pine (Picea - Pinus) clumps in the plains are used as winter roosts by long-eared owls (Asio otus). Pellets regurgitated by these owls were examined to determine the species and relative numbers of small mammals in the area. Nearly 90% of all individuals taken by the owls were …
Small Bison Herd Utilization Of Tallgrass Prairie, Lorence Larson, G.K. Murdock
Small Bison Herd Utilization Of Tallgrass Prairie, Lorence Larson, G.K. Murdock
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The utilization of a tall grass prairie remnant by a small bison (Bison bison) herd is described. Three bulls and six cows were introduced to a 257 ha section of Prairie State Park, Liberal, Missouri in 1985. Between 1985 and March 1988, ten calves were born; four cows and a bull were introduced to the herd in 1988. Since March 1986, the behavior of the herd has been observed three times per week, year-round. The portion of the herd using mowed fire breaks or burned or unburned portions was determined at ten-minute intervals; for 3,249 observations over 213 …
The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera Praeclara): Monitoringa And Research, Ardell J. Bjugstad, William Fortune
The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera Praeclara): Monitoringa And Research, Ardell J. Bjugstad, William Fortune
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeciara Sheviak and Bowles) populations at one time extended from southwestern Missouri north to northwestern Minnesota, and from eastern Iowa to the Sandhills of north central Nebraska. It is listed as endangered in Iowa and Minnesota and candidate for threatened or endangered status in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The questions are, "Why has it declined in numbers?" How have uses such as mowing for hay or grazing by cattle or no use (control) affected the numbers? In 1987, permanently located individual plants were counted on the Sheyenne National Grasslands …
Tallgrass Prairie Remnants Of Eastern Nebraska, Judith F. Boettcher, Thomas B. Bragg
Tallgrass Prairie Remnants Of Eastern Nebraska, Judith F. Boettcher, Thomas B. Bragg
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Ten eastern Nebraska tallgrass prairie remnants were evaluated up to four times during the 1979 growing season to assess vegetative composition and the effects of mowing, topographic and size differences, and season of evaluation. Frequent mowing resulted in a reduced canopy cover of some species, such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) (21% lower with frequent mowing), but increased cover of others, particularly the introduced species smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss. subsp. inermis) (35% higher cover with frequent mowing). In addition, frequent mowing resulted in a higher proportion of disturbance species. Comparing the time of mowing, canopy …