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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Blowouts In The Nebraska Sandhills: The Habitat Of Penstemon Haydenii, James Stubbendieck, Theresa R. Flessner, Ronald Weedon
Blowouts In The Nebraska Sandhills: The Habitat Of Penstemon Haydenii, James Stubbendieck, Theresa R. Flessner, Ronald Weedon
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The Nebraska Sandhills is the largest area of sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere, occupying over 5 million ha in northcentral Nebraska. The rolling to steep dunes range in height from a few meters to over 60 m. Soils are poorly developed in wind deposited sand. The continental climate is characterized by 425 to 625 mm of annual precipitation, an average annual temperature of 10 C, and a frost-free period of 130-155 days. Upland vegetation is primarily tall grasses and midgrasses such as sand bluestem [Andropogon gerardii var. paucipilus (Nash) Fern.], prairie sandreed [CaLamovilfa Longifolia (Hook.) Scribn.], little bluestem …
Designing With Prairie: A Heideggerian Hermeneutical Analysis, Evelyn A. Howell, Dave Egan
Designing With Prairie: A Heideggerian Hermeneutical Analysis, Evelyn A. Howell, Dave Egan
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Landscape architects have been advocating the use of native species in designs for over 100 years. This Heideggerian hermeneutical analysis of the work of authors from 1919 to 1929 yields several underlying themes regarding the use of native species: 1) biological conservation (preservation), 2) possession (control of human-ordered world), 3) promotion of national and regional identity, 4) spirituality, and 5) aesthetics. The prairie-inspired designs of Jens Jensen, Darrel Morrison, and John Diekelmann illustrate the ways in which the emphasis placed on these themes and different assumptions about "prairie" influence the resultant plantings. Jensen's works are meant to evoke the relationship …
Establishing Warm-Season Grasses And Forbs Using Herbicides And Mowing, Thomas B. Bragg, David M. Sutherland
Establishing Warm-Season Grasses And Forbs Using Herbicides And Mowing, Thomas B. Bragg, David M. Sutherland
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The objective of this study was to provide a preliminary assessment of the use of selected herbicides in establishing a diverse stand of prairie grasses and forbs. An upland and a lowland site in eastern Nebraska, consisting of well-drained, fine-silty clay, loess-derived soils, were seeded with 23 native prairie grass and forb species and subsequently mowed or treated at rates of 0.6, 1.1, 1.7, and 2.2 kg/ha with atrazine [6-chloro-Nethyl- N' -(l-methylethyl)-l ,3,S-triazine-2,4-diamine] or 2,4-0 (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). Treatments were applied at one and two-year intervals. Canopy cover in unreplicated treatment areas (12 x 30 m) was evaluated in ten randomly …
Establishment Of Grasses On Sewage Sludge-Amended Strip Mine Spoils, Cassandra S. Rodgers, Roger C. Anderson
Establishment Of Grasses On Sewage Sludge-Amended Strip Mine Spoils, Cassandra S. Rodgers, Roger C. Anderson
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Usefulness of native prairie and domesticated grasses in re-vegetating strip mine spoil and producing biomass was examined on 30-year old, recontoured spoil banks located near Canton, Illinois. Grasses were planted in the spring and fall on strip mine spoil and spoil amended with 333 MT/ha of dry sewage sludge. By the end of the second growing season, indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] produced more biomass than the other warm-season grasses, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash], on the unamended plots, and no warm-season grasses survived on the sludge amended plots. Warm-season grasses were …
Forage Value Of Weed Species In A Grass Seeding, B. K. Lawrence, S. S. Waller, L. E. Moser, Bruce Anderson, L. L. Larson
Forage Value Of Weed Species In A Grass Seeding, B. K. Lawrence, S. S. Waller, L. E. Moser, Bruce Anderson, L. L. Larson
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Weeds are a major problem in seeding rangeland and cropland to native grasses. However, many immature weedy forbs and grasses are palatable to cattle. Research was conducted using yearling cattle for weed control in big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii Vitman) seedings (1987, 1988) at Mead, Nebraska on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll) soil. Prominent volunteer species were annual foxtails (Setaria spp. Beauv.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus SSL.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). Cattle consumed annual foxtails and redroot pigweed, but did not consume velvetleaf …
Impact Of Railroad Management And Abandonment On Prairie Relicts, John A. Harrington, Mark Leach
Impact Of Railroad Management And Abandonment On Prairie Relicts, John A. Harrington, Mark Leach
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
A field survey was begun in 1986 to determine the status of prairie vegetation on railroad rights-of-way in Wisconsin. Two % of 849 sample points located at 1.6 km intervals along railroads were found to contain relatively high quality prairie, and 23 % contained slightly degraded prairie. A significant proportion of these remnants contained mesic prairie, a community type which today is almost non-existent in Wisconsin and neighboring states. The linearity and fragmented state of these remnants, however, increase their susceptibility to invasion by woodland edge species. The lack of management that accompanies railroad abandonment has dramatically affected the ability …
Phenology Of Native Angiosperms Of South Padre Island, Texas, Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd
Phenology Of Native Angiosperms Of South Padre Island, Texas, Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Flowering and fruiting patterns for 74 species of native angiospenns were studied on South Padre Island, Texas, from May 1984 to May 1986. Four patterns were recognized: 1) a continuous cycle of flowering and fruiting; 2) a cycle limited to spring through autumn; 3) a two season regime, either spring-summer or summer-fall; and 4) a cycle completed in one season or less (spring or fall). Marked year-to-year variation occurred in flowering and fruiting responses within individual species. Only one-fifth ofthe species exhibited the same monthly patterns in successive years. Number of species in flower or fruit was significantly correlated with …
Proceedings Of The Eleventh North American Prairie Conference: Index To Authors And Key Words
Proceedings Of The Eleventh North American Prairie Conference: Index To Authors And Key Words
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Index to Authors and Key Words
Rodents And Shrews In Un-Grazed Tallgrass Prairie Manipulated By Fire, Donald W. Kaufman, Glennis A. Kaufman, Elmer J. Finck
Rodents And Shrews In Un-Grazed Tallgrass Prairie Manipulated By Fire, Donald W. Kaufman, Glennis A. Kaufman, Elmer J. Finck
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Natural prairie was a mosaic of patches of depths of plant litter due to topoedaphic conditions and to spatial-temporal variation in fire and grazing. Such variation in litter depth undoubtedly influenced the distribution and abundance of small mammals. To examine this issue, small mammals were censused and plant litter depth was measured during autumn from 1981 to 1984 on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area near Manhattan, Kansas. Five to 11 sites subjected to fire at different times from 1967 to 1984 were sampled during each of the four years of the study. Relative densities of deer mice (Peromyscus …
Silica, Nitrogen, And Phosphorus Dynamics Of Tallgrass Prairie, T. R. Seastedt, R. A. Ramundo, D. C. Hayes
Silica, Nitrogen, And Phosphorus Dynamics Of Tallgrass Prairie, T. R. Seastedt, R. A. Ramundo, D. C. Hayes
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Experiments were conducted on big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) 10 the greenhouse and on a tallgrass site on Konza Prairie to evaluate the effects of simulated grazing on the cycling of silica (SiO2), nitrogen, and phosphorus. Concentrations of all elements increased in vegetation that had been clipped or pruned. The absolute amount of nitrogen obtained by plants 10 the greenhouse experiment was increased by clipping foliage. Phosphorus exhibited only neutral or negative responses, while the absolute amount of silica declined in all but one experiment involving root pruning. In that experiment, the absolute amount of silica in …
The Future Of A Prolific Variant Of Eastern Gamagrass, Laura Jackson, Chet Dewald
The Future Of A Prolific Variant Of Eastern Gamagrass, Laura Jackson, Chet Dewald
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] is currently being selected for higher forage yield. A prolific variant which can produce up to 20 times the number and 3 times the weight of seeds of a normal plant was found in a wild population and is now instrumental in the breeding program. Could this prolific type spread in wild populations? Vegetative vigor of mature plants was assessed by clipping plants to a 7 cm height every two weeks throughout the growing season. The two types did not differ in dry weight of regrowth, suggesting that they tolerate defoliation equally. Seed …
Breeding Bird Populations Of A Floodplain Tallgrass Prairie In Kansas, Calvin Cink, Peter Lowther
Breeding Bird Populations Of A Floodplain Tallgrass Prairie In Kansas, Calvin Cink, Peter Lowther
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Breeding birds were censused yearly from 1974-1988 on a 10.1 ha floodplain tallgrass prairie, a portion of the Baker Wetlands Research Area on the south edge of Lawrence, Kansas. Dickcissels (Spiza americana) were the most abundant species, with densities about six times greater than in the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie (149 territorial males/km2 VS. 25/ km2). This may be due to availability of moisture and associated density of grass stems and insect production. The bird community in the floodplain prairie however, is less diverse (5 species VS. 10 species). Grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) …
Blowout Penstemon: Description And Present Situation, Joyce Phillips Hardy, Ronald R. Weedon, William R. Bowlin
Blowout Penstemon: Description And Present Situation, Joyce Phillips Hardy, Ronald R. Weedon, William R. Bowlin
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii S. Wats.) appears to be the rarest flowering plant species endemic to Nebraska. It has received a great deal of attention, for endemism is rare in Great Plains states. This attractive species is confined to a small number of active blowout areas in the Nebraska Sandhills, often in relatively small colonies that are many kilometers apart in a relatively vast grassland. Blowout penstemon, thus, is confined to particular habitats which have distinct boundaries in space. It is also successional in nature, which places individual colonies in distinct and, perhaps, limited boundaries in time. It is …
Effects Of Manipulation On Foliage Characteristics Of Andropogon Gerardii Vitman, Rosemary A. Ramundo, T. Dawn Shapley, C. L. Turner, M. I. Dyer, T. R. Seastedt
Effects Of Manipulation On Foliage Characteristics Of Andropogon Gerardii Vitman, Rosemary A. Ramundo, T. Dawn Shapley, C. L. Turner, M. I. Dyer, T. R. Seastedt
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The effects of burning, mowing, and nitrogen fertilizer on the chlorophyll, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of big bluestem were measured using a factorial experimental design at Konza Prairie Research Natural Area. While spring burning usually increased foliage production, burning had no effect on mid-season chlorophyll or nitrogen concentrations. Chlorophyll concentrations were significantly increased by fertilizer and mowing treatments. Nitrogen concentrations of foliage were higher on fertilized and mowed plots. Mowing also increased phosphorus concentrations of foliage, but nitrogen fertilizer significantly reduced phosphorus concentrations. These results support other research indicating that: 1) nitrogen use efficiency (grams biomass produced per gram of …
Effect Of Two Cutting Treatments On Aspen In Prairie, Virginia M. Kline
Effect Of Two Cutting Treatments On Aspen In Prairie, Virginia M. Kline
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Two cutting treatments were tested for aspen control in two southern Wisconsin prairies: Pasque Flower Hill (PFH) , a steep hillside remnant, and Greene Prairie (GP), a restored prairie on sandy soil. The treatments, applied 25-26 June 1984, were: (1) A single cut at the base of the stem and (2) A cut that removed about one-third of the stem, followed 20-24 hours later by a basal cut. In 1986, both sites were burned in early spring, the usual management procedure for these prairies. At GP, aspen stem densities at the end of the experiment were similar in the control …
Effect Of Eastern Red Cedar On Seedling Establishment Of Prairie Plants, Dan J. Stipe, Thomas B. Bragg
Effect Of Eastern Red Cedar On Seedling Establishment Of Prairie Plants, Dan J. Stipe, Thomas B. Bragg
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
To test the hypothesis that eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) is allelopathic, seedling establishment of five herbaceous prairie species was evaluated by growing seeds in soil collected beneath and adjacent to a stand of this tree species. While four species showed no significant effect, the germination of one species, finger coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata Nutt.), was significantly reduced. Since eastern red cedar is an early invader of unburned prairie, such an allelopathic effect, even on only a few species, is of particular concern in that it has the potential to hasten degradation of invaded prairie sites.
Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Small Mammals In Aspen Parkland, Garry C. Trottier, Ludwig N. Carbyn, George W. Scotter
Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Small Mammals In Aspen Parkland, Garry C. Trottier, Ludwig N. Carbyn, George W. Scotter
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Relative abundance of small mammals was monitored in an area of aspen parkland burned periodically in spring or fall over eight years to control trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) encroachment into grassland meadows. Seven small mammal species were trapped on the burned and control areas. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord) and red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors) dominated the captures prior to burning. Meadow voles were the most abundant species trapped throughout the study, but abundance was affected by frequency of burning and habitat. After three vegetative growing seasons, meadow voles had not recovered to pre-burn abundance in …
Effect Of Burning On Germination Of Tallgrass Prairie Plant Species, Sherry R. Rohn, Thomas B. Bragg
Effect Of Burning On Germination Of Tallgrass Prairie Plant Species, Sherry R. Rohn, Thomas B. Bragg
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Seeds from 10 prairie plant species of burned and unburned portions of three tallgrass prairies were collected and tested for germinability. Germination of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) consistently averaged higher with burning. Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.) and sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] averaged 5% higher with burning on two of the three sites, although for indiangrass average germination for all three sites was 7% lower. Species for which germination declined with burning were false sunflower [Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet var. scabra (Dun.) Fern.], -13%; whole leaf rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium Michx.), -10%; and white …
Ecology Of Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias Meadii Torrey), Robert F. Betz
Ecology Of Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias Meadii Torrey), Robert F. Betz
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Mead's milkweed (Asclepias meadii Torrey) is a plant of virgin prairies, whose pre-settlement range included much of the midwest. It is now a rare plant confined to prairie hay meadows, railroad rights-of-way, prairie preserves and pioneer cemeteries. Studies of approximately a hundred individual plants, producing hundreds of flowering and sterile stems, in the wild and in cultivation for seven years (1965-1971) indicated that it was a moderately-sized plant whose stems averaged 56 cm in height with sagittate sessile leaves with a herringbone arrangement of the veins. In late May to early June a mature stem produced a solitary, terminal, …
Distribution Of Flodman's Thistle And Its Response To Different Disturbances, Charles E. Umbanhowar Jr.
Distribution Of Flodman's Thistle And Its Response To Different Disturbances, Charles E. Umbanhowar Jr.
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The importance of disturbance in prairie has long been recognized. Increasingly interest and research have focused on the action and interaction of multiple disturbances. The distribution of Flodman's thistle [Cirsium flodmanii (Rydb.) Arthur] on ant mounds, badger mounds, buffalo wallows, and potholes and in a lightly and a moderately grazed pasture was compared at the Nature Conservancy's S. H. Ordway Jr. Memorial Prairie in northcentral South Dakota. In the lightly grazed pasture, Flodman's thistle occurred most frequently on hilltops and ridges, but in the moderately grazed pasture it occurred with equal frequency on hilltops and ridges, and low areas …
Determining Federally Listed Endangered And Threatened Species, Emphasizing Blowout Penstemon, Wallace G. Jobman
Determining Federally Listed Endangered And Threatened Species, Emphasizing Blowout Penstemon, Wallace G. Jobman
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii S. Wats.) was federally listed as an endangered species on 1 September 1987. This pap"!r describes the process by which species, emphasizing blowout penstemon, are listed. The five listing factors described in Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act, candidate species, and the listing process are discussed. The blowout penstemon listing process progressed as follows: 1) petition to list; 2) designation as Category 2 Candidate Species; 3) status survey; 4) designation as Category 1 Candidate Species; 5) proposed rule to list; and 6) the final listing rule. The primary reasons for listing were the stabilization …
Correlations Between Insects And Birds In Tallgrass Prairie Riparian Habitats, Lawrence J. Gray
Correlations Between Insects And Birds In Tallgrass Prairie Riparian Habitats, Lawrence J. Gray
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Previous observations in riparian habitats of Kings Creek, Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas indicated that emerging aquatic insects represent a concentrated source of food for insectivorous birds, particularly the flycatcher and gleaner guilds. This hypothesis was tested by concurrent measurements of net insect emergence (total emergence minus adults returning to the stream) and densities of birds at six sampling sites from June to August 1987 and May to June 1988. Significant positive correlations with emergence were found for flycatchers (r = 0.93) and gleaners (r = 0.91), the two insectivore guilds containing the majority of individuals along Kings Creek. …
Chemical Control Of Eastern Redcedar In Mixed Prairie, University Of Nebraska - Lincoln, James L. Stubbendieck
Chemical Control Of Eastern Redcedar In Mixed Prairie, University Of Nebraska - Lincoln, James L. Stubbendieck
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Stands of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) have been increasing in prairies, often to the detriment of valuable prairie species. Initial control of dense stands of relatively tall eastern redcedar by herbicides may be necessary to alter population demographics before more environmentally sound mechanical methods and prescribed burning can be employed to maintain acceptable populations of this woody species. Previous control effectiveness with herbicides has been highly variable. This study was conducted to determine the effect of hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl- 6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-l ,3 ,5-triazine-2,4( IH,3H)-dione] as Velpar L, picloram (4-amino-3 ,5 ,6-trichlora-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) as Tordon 2K, and tebuthiuron N-[5-(1, I-dimethylethyl)-1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]N,N'-dimethylurea …
Remnant And Restored Prairie Response To Fire, Fertilization, And Atrazine, Robert A. Masters, Kenneth P. Vogel
Remnant And Restored Prairie Response To Fire, Fertilization, And Atrazine, Robert A. Masters, Kenneth P. Vogel
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
The effect of spring burning, fertilization, and atrazine on herbage yield of warm- and cool-season grasses, flowering stalk density, and seed yield of selected warm-season grasses was determined on a remnant prairie and a restored prairie located near Lincoln and Center, Nebraska, respectively. Sites were burned in mid-April 1987 and followed by application of fertilizer (112 kg N/ha at the remnant prairie and 112-22 kg N-P/ha at the restored prairie) and atrazine (2.2 kg active ingredient/ha). Herbage yield of warm-season grasses increased more than 100% following burning in combination with fertilization at both sites and atrazine application alone at the …
Propagation Of Blowout Penstemon (Penstemon Haydenii S. Wats.), Theresa R. Flessner, James L. Stubbendieck
Propagation Of Blowout Penstemon (Penstemon Haydenii S. Wats.), Theresa R. Flessner, James L. Stubbendieck
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Propagating and developing plants for successful transplanting will be important for the recovery of Nebraska's only endangered plant species, blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii S. Wats.). Therefore, the effect of various cultural treatments on seedling growth was examined in a greenhouse study. Young blowout penstemon seedlings, fertilized with both nitrogen and phosphorus, exhibited significantly greater weekly growth rates than seedlings fertilized with one or no nutrient. After removal of the upper part of the shoot to the third pair of true leaves, only those seedlings fertilized with both nutrients exhibited a temporary increase in weekly growth rate and more axillary …
Lloyd C. Hulbert 1918-1986 (Proceedings Dedication)
Lloyd C. Hulbert 1918-1986 (Proceedings Dedication)
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Because we have and will yet all benefit from his vision, leadership, and unselfish efforts, it is fitting that these Proceedings be dedicated to Lloyd C. Hulbert, Professor of Biology, Plant Ecologist for the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and Director of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area.
Prairie Establishment In Southwestern Ohio, Kimberly A. Lutz
Prairie Establishment In Southwestern Ohio, Kimberly A. Lutz
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
In 1979 a tallgrass prairie was established in southwestern Ohio; a second prairie , adjacent to the first, was established in 1983 (4-year and 8-year sites). These sites differed in time since establishment, seed source, extent of burning, and extent of soil preparation. Six remnant prairies were also selected for comparison with the established sites. The 8-year site was dominated by switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash.], components of the original seed mix, while the 4-year site was dominated by old-field species and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman). Both 4-year and 8-year sites …
Populations And Prey Selection Of Wintering Raptors In Boulder County, Colorado, Stephen R. Jones
Populations And Prey Selection Of Wintering Raptors In Boulder County, Colorado, Stephen R. Jones
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Wintering raptor populations were monitored between 1983 and 1988 in a 35 km2 study area centered 8 km north-northeast of the city of Boulder, Colorado. Raptors congregated around active prairie dog (Cynomys sp.) colonies. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) , ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis), and red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis ) were observed hunting and capturing prairie dogs. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) participated in the competition for captured prey. Thirteen occurrences were noted of bald eagles stealing captured prairie dogs from ferruginous hawks. A bubonic plague …
Pollen Collectors And Other Insect Visitors To Penstemon Haydenii S. Wats., H. Randy Lawson, V. J. Tepedino, T. L. Griswold
Pollen Collectors And Other Insect Visitors To Penstemon Haydenii S. Wats., H. Randy Lawson, V. J. Tepedino, T. L. Griswold
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Records of insects visiting the flowers of Penstemon haydenii (S. Wats.) are supplied. The flower-visitor fauna was different at the two sites censused. Primary pollinators appeared to be four species of megachilid bees which consistently visited the flowers for pollen. While bees exhibited high fidelity to flowers of the genus Penstemon, analysis of the pollen carried by females suggests that crossing over between Penstemon species on a particular foraging trip may be common. Opportunities for interspecific hybridization almost certainly occur.
Nebraska Sand Hills: The Last Prairie, Robert F. Whitcomb
Nebraska Sand Hills: The Last Prairie, Robert F. Whitcomb
Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences
Although North American grasslands are diverse and biotically rich, their conservation has never received high priority. As a result, the prairie landscape has all but disappeared. However, one prairie region has retained its essential pre-Columbian features. This is the Nebraska Sand Hills Prairie, a 4.8 million ha stabilized dune region of Holocene origin. Because the Sand Hills lie at the heart of the North American grasslands, their biota is influenced by the adjacent short- and tallgrass prairies and by northern (cool-season) and southern (warm-season) grasslands. In addition, the Sand Hills have their own distinctive sand-dependent biota. Equally important, however, is …