19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
An Analysis of the Woody Vegetation at Big Creek Conservation Area (Adair County, Missouri)
Meredith Mertz
Dr. Elisabeth A. Hooper, Faculty Mentor
Native prairies, savannas and woodlands have diminished significantly since the arrival of European settlers, and efforts are underway throughout Missouri to preserve and restore native landscapes. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently began an effort to restore the savanna-woodland mosaic at Big Creek Conservation Area (BCCA) in Adair County. A quantitative inventory of the woody vegetation at BCCA was conducted in July 2005 following selective cutting and a spring burn by the MDC in 2005. Twenty four circular, nested plots, each totaling 0.1 ha, were established in an 8 ha area. Descriptive data on the trees, shrubs, woody vines and seedlings were collected and used to analyze size (dbh), abundance, frequency, density, species diversity and canopy cover of the area. These data provide a baseline for monitoring the progress of future restoration treatments by the MDC.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 54-3
Location: VH 1412
Time: 3:15