2019 Research in the Capitol
Seed mix design and first-year management influence ecological outcomes in prairie reconstruction [Poster]
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Keywords
Prairie restoration; Prairie plants;
Abstract
In this study, we test whether prairie reconstructions can effectively provide both erosion control and high-quality pollinator habitat. Research plots were established with three seed mixes of varying diversity, grass-to-forb seeding ratio, and cost. To assess ecosystem services, we measured native stem density, canopy cover, and inflorescence production over a four-year period (2015 – 2018). The mix with the highest grass-to-forb ratio (3:1) had high native plant cover and stem density, but produced few inflorescences. The mix with the lowest grass-to-forb ratio (1:3) had high inflorescence production, but also had low cover and high weed abundance. The mix with a 1:1 grass-to-forb ratio, had high native cover and grass stem density (comparable to the 3:1 mix) and high inflorescence production (comparable to the 1:3 mix). Our results suggest that a well-designed seed mix, with a 1:1 grass-to-forb ratio can effectively address multiple conservation concerns in prairie reconstruction.
Start Date
1-4-2019 11:00 AM
End Date
1-4-2019 2:30 PM
Event Host
University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities
Faculty Advisor
Mark Sherrard
Department
Department of Biology
Department
Tallgrass Prairie Center
Copyright
©2019 Alec Glidden
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Glidden, Alec, "Seed mix design and first-year management influence ecological outcomes in prairie reconstruction [Poster]" (2019). Research in the Capitol. 16.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/rcapitol/2019/all/16
Seed mix design and first-year management influence ecological outcomes in prairie reconstruction [Poster]
In this study, we test whether prairie reconstructions can effectively provide both erosion control and high-quality pollinator habitat. Research plots were established with three seed mixes of varying diversity, grass-to-forb seeding ratio, and cost. To assess ecosystem services, we measured native stem density, canopy cover, and inflorescence production over a four-year period (2015 – 2018). The mix with the highest grass-to-forb ratio (3:1) had high native plant cover and stem density, but produced few inflorescences. The mix with the lowest grass-to-forb ratio (1:3) had high inflorescence production, but also had low cover and high weed abundance. The mix with a 1:1 grass-to-forb ratio, had high native cover and grass stem density (comparable to the 3:1 mix) and high inflorescence production (comparable to the 1:3 mix). Our results suggest that a well-designed seed mix, with a 1:1 grass-to-forb ratio can effectively address multiple conservation concerns in prairie reconstruction.
