Access the full text.
Sign up today, get DeepDyve free for 14 days.
References for this paper are not available at this time. We will be adding them shortly, thank you for your patience.
<p>ABSTRACT:</p><p>This study examines a 65-ha botanically rich grassland mosaic with extensive woody encroachment to determine whether prairie habitat can be restored over a six-year period post treatment. A stratified sample design was utilized for vegetation monitoring. Two vegetation types, Prairie and Old Field, were identified from baseline differences in species composition. Additional plots also were established in relatively undegraded prairie habitat. This Reference Prairie provided a restoration benchmark for Transect Prairie and Old Field on transects. Management efforts resulted in a 95% reduction of woody stems, which were cut, piled, and burned on site. Cut stems were removed by hand in Reference Prairie; however, a compact track loader was used in remaining zones. Vegetation parameters of conservation interest based on species composition and diversity were utilized as predictor variables. We establish testable hypotheses and a statistical framework for evaluating mean differences and patterns of change among vegetation types.</p><p>Reference Prairie retained baseline levels of floristic diversity and species integrity. However, it took six years for Transect Prairie to recover to baseline conditions. Old Field increased in native and non-native species richness leading to a floristic merger with recovering Transect Prairie; however, restoration goals fell short as Reference Prairie remained distinct in habitat quality from both successional community types. Our data suggest that population declines among resident species in Transect Prairie were a response to the more invasive management techniques. We recommend more gradual management practices to minimize the impacts of heavy equipment utilized for rapid and efficient treatment.</p>
Ecological Restoration – University of Wisconsin Press
Published: Mar 18, 2019
Read and print from thousands of top scholarly journals.
Already have an account? Log in
Bookmark this article. You can see your Bookmarks on your DeepDyve Library.
To save an article, log in first, or sign up for a DeepDyve account if you don’t already have one.
Copy and paste the desired citation format or use the link below to download a file formatted for EndNote
Access the full text.
Sign up today, get DeepDyve free for 14 days.
All DeepDyve websites use cookies to improve your online experience. They were placed on your computer when you launched this website. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.