Tallgrass Prairie Restoration in the Midwestern and Eastern United States

This work advocates the restoration of the North American tallgrass prairie, which is rapidly disappearing. Historical descriptions of prairie aesthetics are outlined. As we are experiencing a worldwide mixing of plant species, prairie restoration is particularly important. Plants alien to North America do not readily support insect populations, including all animal species higher on the food chain. Prairie restoration methods are described for amateurs, academics, and land managers. Some of the techniques described are growing crops for seed production, times of seed gathering for specific species, facile seed processing for amateurs, land preparation, segregation of seed into its preference for habitat, and required seed treatment for germination. Over 200 species are described that comprise the predominant species found in tallgrass prairie nature preserves, as well as degraded prairies. Some additional plants of especial interest are also described. The appendix tabulates all likely species found on prairies regardless of their scarcity. Safe fire management of prairies is described in detail. Finally, methods of controlling aggressive alien weeds by herbicides are detailed.

Discusses the origins of prairie millennia Highlights restoration methods Discusses Farming practices and global warming Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Texte du rabat
Tallgrass Prarie Restoration in theMidwest and Eastern United States: A Hands-On Guide describes all aspects of restoring tallgrass prairie. Outlined are techniques from creating a prairie from scratch to improving diversity of existing prairies. The importance of selecting species for soil type is emphasized in this book. Methods are described for soil preparation, seed collection, seed treatment for germination, and planting rates. After creating a prairie, management is essential, such as safely conducting controlled burns and eliminating aggressive alien plants. Prairie restoration is essential, not only for aesthetic beauty, but prairies provide food for a variety of insects evolved to feed on our native plants. Insects in turn sustain a population of native birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Described in detail are over 200 species of grasses and forbs most commonly found in tallgrass prairies, most with accompanying photo illustrations. An appendix outlines about 900 additional species that are occasionally found on prairies. In addition, the Springer website illustrates detailed scanned herbarium samples and scanned seeds with accompanying seed-heads. These digitally scanned samples are invaluable for positive identification. This book is recommended for students, landscapers, horticulturists, hobbyists, and land managers. About the Author: Dr. Harold W. Gardner received a Ph.D. from Penn State University in biochemistry. His primary area of research was enzymatic oxidation of fatty acids, which serve as bio-signals in higher plants and fungi. Although his research took him to Hawaii, Sweden, California, and Illinois, he spent more than 30 years in Illinois where he became obsessed with attractive prairie eco-systems. Others joined him in prairie restoration efforts, eventually becoming known as the Prairie Dawgs. The Prairie Dawgs continue their dedication to prairie restoration in Illinois. Upon retirement to a farm in Pennsylvania, Gardner discoveredthat prairies also thrive in the East, where he manages about 20 acres of prairie.

Contenu
Table of Contents.- Preface.- Part I: introduction.- Chapter 1-Introduction to the Prairie.- Part III: Native Prairie Species.- Chapter 2- Mesic soil and adaptive species.- Chapter 3- Dry-mesic to dry soil preferring species.- Chapter 4- Wet-mesic to wet soil preferring species.- Part III: Restoration.- Chapter 5- Restoration methods.- Part IV: Management.- Chapter 6- Prairie Management.- Other Recommended.-Reading.- Glossary.- Index.