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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