DOCSLIB.ORG

Tall Grass Prairie Restoration Prescribed Fire Fact Sheet

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tall Grass Prairie Restoration Prescribed Fire Fact Sheet How is this situation improving? For more information: Tall Grass Prairie - Citizens are beginning to value the WI-DNR booklet importance of native prairies for local scenic "Home on the Range," on restoring and Restoration beauty, preservation of rare plants and maintaining grasslands. wildlife, and maintenance of diverse genetic http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/ resources. publ/wildland.htm - Many public and private organizations at Much of Wisconsin's pasture and farmland local, state, and federal levels have programs WI-DNR publication was once a sea of grassland. But the original to help private landowners pay for and "Getting the Help You Need," on funding 2.1 million acres of tall grass prairie have execute prairie restoration on their property. and advice sources for restoration and declined to less than 10,000 acres today, most habitat management activities. of it degraded and fragmented. In order to http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/ protect this vital ecosystem, private citizens, publ/gettinghelp.pdf local organizations, and state and federal agencies are working together to restore W. Mirk's handbook degraded prairies and grasslands. As part of Prairie Plants and Animals: "An Introduction to the Tallgrass Prairie of this effort, your neighbor is currently Grasses: the Upper Midwest: Its history, ecology, undertaking a prairie restoration on his or her preservation and reconstruction." Published property. - Big bluestem in 1997 by The Prairie Enthusiasts. - Little bluestem - Indiangrass C.F. Mutel and S. Packard's Flowers: "The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For - Stiff goldenrod Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands." - Sunflowers Published in 1997 by the Island Press. - Shooting stars - Purple coneflower MN DNR booklet Animals: "Going Native: A Prairie Restoration - Goshawk Handbook for Minnesota Landowners." - Eastern and Western Meadowlark http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/assistance/ (declining) backyard/prairierestoration/goingnative.pdf - Ornate box turtle (WI endangered) - Karner blue butterfly (US endangered) - American badger What happened to Wisconsin Your neighbor's property is What to expect the first year prairies? currently undergoing prairie restoration. - Most native seedlings will remain less than - Settlers plowed up millions of acres of a few inches tall. These plants are mostly fertile, organic rich prairie soil for The following information describes perennial species, and initially concentrate the agriculture. the work you should expect to see over majority of their energy into root growth and - Fire suppression led to an encroachment the course of this process. development. of brush and trees in remaining prairies. - The management focus is controlling the - Today, only 0.5% of original tall grass Preparation for planting a prairie weeds so that light is permitted to reach the prairie remains in Wisconsin. Most of it is - Prairie planting strategy depends on local desirable seedlings. highly degraded or fragmented into small one site characteristics. - The new seeding must be mowed at least to five acre parcels. - In general, restoration begins with a once the first year to keep weeds from prescribed burn to incinerate invasive grasses, producing seeds or shading out seedlings. which are not fire tolerant. - Other control options include the use of What to expect in following years What are the characteristics of herbicides to remove well-established a tall grass prairie ecosystem? invasive species. - Early successional flowers will bloom Planting a prairie spring through fall. Grasses will go through - Mostly composed of perennial flowers beautiful color changes in the fall. - Plantings are most effective when a and grasses, some as tall as six feet high. - Common prairie wildlife will settle in to the no-till drill specifically made for prairie seeds - Grows in wetter climates than the short new habitat. is used. grass prairies along the eastern edge of the - Areas may need spot mowing to control - Planting is done during dry periods Rocky Mountains, with temperatures that weeds, but after the first few years it should be between April and June, or after late October. range seasonally from below freezing to limited. above 100 degrees. - As the prairie matures, new species will - Before European settlement, fires set begin to bloom. Some flowers take five to by lightning or Native Americans usually seven years before they bloom. burned across prairies every three to five years. Fires removed invading brush and invigorated fire-dependent native prairie What role does fire play in species. maintaining a restored prairie? - Regular prescribed burns are a key component of a comprehensive prairie management plan. - Conducting a prescribed burn on a site every three to five years maintains the vigor of Cone Flowers the stand by reducing competition from weedy plants and unwanted brush or trees. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Historic Illinois and Percentage of Prairie
    Historic Illinois and Percentage of Prairie The tall grass prairie is found in the easternmost third of the Great Plains. It receives the most rainfall, averaging 30-40 inches a year. The tallgrass prairie is predominantly made up of Indian grass, switchgrass, and especially big blues stem, which can grow up to 12 feet high and a half an inch a day. The tallgrass prairie is the most lush , with much taller and denser grasses than the western prairie. An acre of intact tallgrass hosts somewhere between 200 and 400 species of native plants—3 out of 4 of them wildflowers. Each week from April to September, about a dozen new kinds of flowers come into bloom. An acre of good tallgrass may have 5 to 10 acres of leaf surfaces and produce 5000 pounds of forage a year. Grazing cattle typically gain 2-3 pounds a day on these grasslands. Today, what was the tallgrass prairie is now the ‘cornbelt’. http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/percentprairie.gif Illinois Symbols The land that became the state of Illinois was covered by prairie grasses. Big Bluestem may have been the most widespread and abundant grass throughout the true prairie. Big Bluestem grows in such tall and dense stands that it often prevents other grasses from growing around it by shading them out. In the past this resulted in large areas of almost pure big bluestem in the prairies. Big bluestem grows to the height of between three and twelve feet (one to three meters). It has tall slender stems. The grass is green throughout most much of the summer ; the stem turns to blue-purple as it matures; thus the name bluestem.
    [Show full text]
  • Central Mixedgrass Prairie Ecological System (Central Shortgrass Prairie Ecoregion Version)
    CENTRAL MIXEDGRASS PRAIRIE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM (CENTRAL SHORTGRASS PRAIRIE ECOREGION VERSION) ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT Draft of June 29, 2007 Prepared by: Karin Decker Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State University 254 General Services Building Fort Collins, CO 80523 Table of Contents A. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 3 A.1 Classification Summary ........................................................................................... 3 A.2 Ecological System Description ................................................................................ 5 A.2.1 Environment....................................................................................................... 5 A.2.2 Vegetation & Ecosystem.................................................................................... 6 A.2.3 Dynamics ........................................................................................................... 8 A.2.4 Landscape......................................................................................................... 10 A.2.5 Size................................................................................................................... 11 A.3 Ecological Integrity................................................................................................ 12 A.3.1 Threats.............................................................................................................. 12 A.3.2 Justification of Metrics....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Prairie Ecosystem the Kansas Grassland Biome Is Divided Into Tallgrass, Mixed-Grass, and Shortgrass Prairies
    A Prairie Ecosystem The Kansas grassland biome is divided into tallgrass, mixed-grass, and shortgrass prairies. ​ ​Emporia, KS is located in the Tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Before settlement, the tallgrass prairie occupied a north-south strip which encompassed the eastern third of Kansas. The tallgrass prairie exists today since much the land is not farmable due to terrain (slope, rock layers, soil depth, etc.). The grasses can grow in excess of six feet tall during moist years if they reside in deep soils. The annual precipitation, or rainfall, in this region exceeds 30 inches. The original tallgrass prairie spanned almost 250 million acres. Today, about four percent remains with the largest areas being the Flint Hills of Kansas and the Osage Hills of Oklahoma. Examples of grasses found in tallgrass prairies include big bluestem, indian grass, switchgrass, and eastern gamagrass. The sun is the main source of energy for every living thing on earth. An organism that makes its own food from the sun is called a ​producer​. Examples of producers in the prairie are grasses and wildflowers because they use the sun to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. An organism that depends on others for food is called a ​consumer​. Examples of consumers in the prairie include coyotes, snakes, mice and prairie chickens because they hunt or scavenge for their food. An organism that breaks down materials in dead organisms is called a decomposer​. Examples of decomposers in the prairie are worms. Recycling happens in the prairie through decomposition. Recycling means to reuse something once it has died or has been thrown away.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Plains Ecosystems: Past, Present, and Future
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- Published Research US Geological Survey 2004 Great Plains Ecosystems: Past, Present, and Future Fred B. Samson United States Forest Service Fritz L. Knopf United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division Wayne Ostlie The Nature Conservancy, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Samson, Fred B.; Knopf, Fritz L.; and Ostlie, Wayne, "Great Plains Ecosystems: Past, Present, and Future" (2004). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 45. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/45 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- Published Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Great Plains Ecosystems: Past, Present, and Future Fred B. Samson, Fritz L. Knopf, & Wayne R. Ostlie 6 SPECIALCOVERAGE ...eat Plains ecosystems: _ _ t, present, and future HH[[~dIed B. Samson, Fritz L. Knopf, and e R. Ostlie sts that the main bodies of North American prairie (i.e., the tall- grass, mixed, and shortgrass) are among the most endangered resources on the con- tinent. The purpose of this paper is to provide a past and present biological base- line by which to understand North American prairies and to provide a platform for future conservation. Events both immediate to the end of the Pleistocene and his- toric suggest that the present grassland conditions are different from those within which most of the grassland organisms evolved.
    [Show full text]
  • Native Prairie Roadsides: the Iowa Example
    Kansas State University Libraries New Prairie Press 2011 – Freedom’s Frontier in the Flint Hills Symphony in the Flint Hills Field Journal (Laurie J. Hamilton, Editor) Native Prairie Roadsides: The Iowa Example Daryl D. Smith Follow this and additional works at: https://newprairiepress.org/sfh Recommended Citation Smith, Daryl D. (2011). "Native Prairie Roadsides: The Iowa Example," Symphony in the Flint Hills Field Journal. https://newprairiepress.org/sfh/2011/nature/7 To order hard copies of the Field Journals, go to shop.symphonyintheflinthills.org. The Field Journals are made possible in part with funding from the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation. This is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in Symphony in the Flint Hills Field Journal by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Native Prairie Roadsides: The Iowa Example “No doubt each of us relates to certain aspects of the prairie that have special meaning. For me, the plants of the prairie invoke feelings of awe and wonderment as well as continuity with the past. Nothing is more relaxing than lying on your back in late summer and viewing a deep blue sky through the outstretched turkeyfeet of bluestem.” 1 Most original roads in Iowa and Kansas followed existing trails and traversed the tallgrass prairie. As long as prairie was adjacent to the roadside, seed was available to maintain prairie vegetation in disturbed rights-of-way. As the human population and Management (IRVM) programs that KANSAS TURNPIKE agriculture increased, cropland replaced combined native vegetation, reduced Ron Klataske the adjacent prairies.
    [Show full text]
  • Restoring the Prairie
    Restoring the Prairie Grade: 3rd Season: Winter Time: 1 ½ hours Group Size: 1 class Ratio: 1:5 (adult: children) For the Teacher: Overview Students design an investigation about prairie restoration driven by their own questions. They participate directly in restoring the prairie by planting seeds in the prairie. (If possible, they may also be able to make observations of seedlings in the greenhouse and/or plant seeds there.) Lastly, they reflect upon their discoveries and answer their investigation questions. Subjects Covered Science MN Academic Helps support 17 standards. See section “2009 Minnesota Academic Standards Standards Supported in Science” and “2010 Minnesota Academic Standards in Language Arts.” Skills Used Investigating, following directions, listening, cooperating, asking and answering questions, observing, describing, measuring, sketching, reflecting, concluding, magnifying, collecting data, analyzing data, restoring habitat, thinking critically, writing, examining, discovering, teamwork, organizing Performance After completing this activity, students will be better able to… Objectives Identify two methods of prairie restoration (sowing in the field, sowing in the greenhouse and planting seedlings in the field) Name two kinds of prairie plants (grasses and forbs) Name at least one prairie plant species Plant prairie seeds in the field Explain why people restore prairie Enjoy making a difference improving the health of the prairie Vocabulary Investigate, prairie, restore, seedling, greenhouse, seeding/sowing, grass, forb, germinate, sowing For the PWLC Instructor: PWLC Theme The Prairie Pothole Region Primary EE Message The prairie pothole region is valuable and in need of restoration and protection. Sub-message People: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to preserve, manage, and restore prairie wetlands in the prairie pothole region.
    [Show full text]
  • Tallgrass Prairie Preserve the Largest Protected Area of Tallgrass Prairie on Earth, Spanning 39,000 Acres Near Pawhuska, Oklahoma
    Tallgrass Prairie Preserve The largest protected area of tallgrass prairie on Earth, spanning 39,000 acres near Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Transcript Chapter 1 — 1:17 Introduction Announcer: The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska, Oklahoma is the largest protected area of tallgrass prairie on Earth spanning 39,000 acres. The prairie is a complex environment harboring a rich diversity of plants and animals. Prior to its purchase by the Nature Conservancy, the Preserve was called the Bernard Ranch, which had been part of the Chapman Bernard Ranch of 100,000 acres. The tallgrass prairie goes beyond what the eye can see. What Walt Witman called that delicate miracle, the ever-recurring grass. Bison are the most prominent attraction of the Preserve. The herd numbers more than 2,500 and grazes over 25,000 acres. Annually, over 10,000 visitors drive the scenic route on public country roads through the heart of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve to observe the bison. Starting and ending in Pawhuska, the complete drive is approximately 50 miles and takes about two hours at a leisurely pace. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. There is no admission charge. Listen to Harvey Payne and Jenk Jones tell you the story of how this Oklahoma prairie land became a preservation site. Brought to you by foundations and individuals who believe in preserving Oklahoma’s legacy one voice at a time at voicesofoklahoma.com. Chapter 2 — 5:04 Our Storytellers John Erling: My name is John Erling. Today’s date is July 15th, 2014 and we’re recording this interview here in the offices of Voices of Oklahoma.
    [Show full text]
  • Texas Blackland Prairies ECOREGION HANDBOOK August 2012
    TEXAS CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN Texas Blackland Prairies ECOREGION HANDBOOK August 2012 Citing this document: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2012. Texas Conservation Action Plan 2012 – 2016: Texas Blackland Prairies Handbook. Editor, Wendy Connally, Texas Conservation Action Plan Coordinator. Austin, Texas. Contents SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 HOW TO GET INVOLVED ............................................................................................................................... 2 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 RARE SPECIES and COMMUNITIES .............................................................................................................. 14 PRIORITY HABITATS ..................................................................................................................................... 15 ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 CONSERVATION ACTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 32 ECOREGION HANDBOOK FIGURES Figure 1. TBPR Ecoregion with County Boundaries .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Woody-Invaded Prairie to Utility Prairie
    Restoring Your Woody-Invaded Prairie to Utility Prairie The author of this Restoration Guide is Laura Phillips-Mao, University of Minnesota. Steve Chaplin, MN/ND/SD Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, administered the project and helped with production. Marybeth Block, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, provided review and editorial comments. Susan Galatowitsch, University of Minnesota, contributed to an earlier version of this guide. ©The Nature Conservancy January 1, 2017 Funding for the development of this restoration guide was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) through grant LCCMR092C. The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Currently 40% of net Minnesota State Lottery proceeds are dedicated to building the Trust Fund and ensuring future benefits for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources. Additional funding for the update and redesign of the guide was provided by a Working Lands Initiative grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Cover photo taken at Sheepberry Fen Preserve by Alison Mickelson, Greater Good Photography. Restoring Your Woody- Why restore woody-invaded Invaded Prairie to prairies? Prairies that are not burned, grazed or mowed “Utility Prairie” are often invaded by woody trees and shrubs. In Minnesota, the prairie-forest border shifts In this guide, you will learn the basic steps to over time in response to changes in climate and restoring a degraded prairie invaded by woody fire frequency.
    [Show full text]
  • General Background on the Blackland Prairie for Teachers
    General Background on the Blackland Prairie for Teachers Austin College Center for Environmental Studies Sherman, Texas Jan Beckert Coordinator, Center for Environmental Studies Austin College Leigh Mahaffey and Jeannie Fulton Sherman Independent School District Erin Bowie Austin Teacher Program graduate Dr. Peter Schulze Director, Center for Environmental Studies Austin College Center for Environmental Studies Austin College 61588 900 North Grand Avenue Sherman, Texas 75090 www.austincollege.edu Contents Purpose General Background on the Blackland Prairie for Teachers Figure 1. Biomes of the World Figure 2. Climograph Figure 3. Grasslands of the World Figure 4. Native Grass Roots Figure 5. Anatomy of a Grass Plant Prairie Topics Processes That Destroyed the Prairie Restoration Information Suggested Books for Students Suggested Readings for Further Background Information i Purpose The Austin College Center for Environmental Studies has developed a three-part set of opportunities for elementary students to learn about the native Blackland Prairie of North and Central Texas: a video, classroom lessons, and a field trip program at a prairie restoration site. This document complements both the video The Blackland Prairie: Past, Present and Future and the field trip. We suggest that you show the class the video before taking the students on a field trip to the prairie restoration. If you lack a copy of the video, please contact Dr. Peter Schulze at [email protected]. The field trips are targeted for fourth graders, but the lessons can be modified to accommodate lower or higher grade levels. "General Background on the Blackland Prairie for Teachers" is intended to provide enough information to make teachers comfortable with the material.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Iowa Native Prairie Plants
    Introduction to Iowa Native Prairie Plants The Iowa tallgrass prairie developed over the past 9,000 to 10,000 years, after the retreat of the last glaciers. The ecosystem that developed as a prairie consisted of communities of grasses, forbs, insects, and other animals. Prairie communities vary depending on the environment. Plants and animals in these communities adapted and evolved to survive a range of conditions from hot and dry to moist and boggy. SUL 18 Revised August 2008 Introduction to Iowa Native Prairie Plants 1 beauty, weed management, wildlife g They are resistant or tolerant to habitat, and the reduction of soil most insect pests and diseases. erosion and runoff. When planning a garden of native plants, it is a good g A blend of native species provides idea to visit other gardens that have season-long color and interest. native plantings or to visit public gardens to see the size, form, and g Native species are members of spread of the plants you would like a plant and animal community to grow. Local prairie enthusiasts that balances itself when there is a or conservationists organize prairie diverse assemblage of species. This walks that can be a source of specific natural balance keeps native plants information about prairies. A visit to from becoming invasive. a prairie enables you to see different plants in their natural setting. g They attract butterflies by serving as host plants for caterpillars and TRAER, TAMA COUNTY, IOWA There are many advantages to nectar plants for butterflies. growing native plants: Introduction to g Growing native plants is a fun Iowa Native Prairie Plants g Native plants are well adapted to learning process.
    [Show full text]
  • THE BOULDER TALLGRASS PRAIRIES by William L. Baker And
    The Boulder Tallgrass- Prairies OSMP Studies 4224 I \ Raker William l and 9t1cnn M J THE BOULDER TALLGRASS PRAIRIES By William L. Baker and Susan M. Galatowitsch ~ditedby Mike Figgs and Nancy Lederer Illustrations by Susan M. Galatowitsch August 15, 1985 Boulder County Nature Association Publication No. 3 3893 N. 75th St., Boulder, CO 80301 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I - WHAT IS A TALLGRASS PRAIRIE? 1 ~niroduction 1 The Boulder Tallgrass Prairies 2 Location and Setting 2 History of scientific and preservation interest 4 Vegetation 5 PART I1 - A TALLGRASS PORTFOLIO 6 A. The Dominant Grass Species 6 B. Site Photographs 14 PART I11 - TALLGRASS PRAIRIE MANAGEMENT: A NATURAL .AREAS PERSPECTIVE 19 Background 19 Current Management Practices 20 Current Management Status of the Boulder Tallgrass Prairies 23 LITERATURE CITED APPENDIX -- Articles of Designation Cover photo. Tal lgrass Natural Area Parcel 10 on Davidsor; Mesa. (The Eldorado Springs area is in the background. ) Parcel 10 is a xeric (dry) tallgrass prairie with the dominant vegetation being big bluestem, whose tall flowering stems are visible in the photo, sideoats grama, and blue e grama. Photo by Mike Figgs. PART I - WHAT IS A TALLGRASS PRAIRIE? By William L. Baker Introduction Tall grass prairies should have been cal led " redgrass prairies" . In September, the color is unmistakable at great distances. But why are there no parades of autos, no hourly radio announcements as the colors peak, no traffic jams as Denver rushes out to watch the bluestem turn? Bluestem? All three of the tall grass prairie's major grasses (big bl uestem, swi tchgrass, and indiangrass) do have bluish stems at times, and all three do turn red in September.
    [Show full text]