17th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
An Eight-Year Study of Vegetative Dynamics in the Restoration of Union Ridge Conservation Area, a Mesic Prairie Savannah in Northern Missouri
Julie R. Rubly* and Laura N. Riess
Dr. Stephanie Fore, Faculty Mentor
In prairies, fire is essential and is accepted as a restoration tool for management. Since 1996, a portion of Union Ridge Conservation Area in northeastern Missouri has been periodically burned to restore prairie habitat. Herbaceous vegetation and overstory tree data were collected from permanent plots in 1995 before fire management and repeated in 1996, 1999, and 2003. Data were analyzed to determine changes in cover and frequency of species. Significant changes in herbaceous vegetation have occurred following the first fire. Overstory data exhibits some different trends in tree composition, but few that are statistically significant. The continuous assessment shows that fire is a successful management technique and improves the status of prairie in Union Ridge Conservation Area.
Keywords: restoration, prairie, Union Ridge, vegetation, fire, management, conservation
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-42
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15