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Field Project

Faith Anderson and Greyson Rehbein

BIO 138-Field Ecology

Tim Bergin

December 3, 2024
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Introduction

The tall grass prairie makes up the eastern portion of the North American Great Plains. It

extends north and south from Manitoba to Texas in a relatively narrow band between the eastern

deciduous forests to the east and the mixed grass prairie to the west. According to Wrangle, it

passes through the eastern Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, forming a prairie

peninsula that extends east into Minnesota and Iowa.

The climate in the tall grass prairie is warm to hot, humid, and wet summers and cold,

snowy, and windy winters. The average annual rainfall is between 500 to 900 millimeters (25-35

inches) of rain per year, according to NASA Earth Observatory. According to NASA Earth

Observatory it is partly cloudy year-round, and the average temperature range varies from –20oC

to 30oC, depending on the latitude.

The important plants that we found in our sampling at Lowell Park we the following:

Grasses-Big Blue Stem (Andropogon gerardii) and Yellow Indian (Sorghastrum nutans),

Herbaceous-Cuman Ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) and Hairy Aster (Symphyotrichum

pilosum), and Woody- Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and Eastern cottonwood (Populus

deltoides).

Restored Prairie

There is a process for restoring a site into a restored prairie. First, Identify the site

characteristics and define goals for the restoration. Second, existing weeds and undesirable

vegetation should be removed from the site to prevent aggressive weedy species from out-

competing native prairie plants. Third, prepare a seedbed to ensure good seed-soil contact and

promote the germination of planted seeds. Fourth, select seed mixes and seeding methods suited

to the site and project goals. Fifth, Control weeds and promote the establishment and growth of
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prairie plants through the first few years after seeding. Last, maintain the health and diversity of

native prairie into the future.

Several grass species that should be present in a restored prairie. According to Iowa State

University, the grasses that should be planted on a restored prairie are Indian grass, big bluestem,

and little bluestem The herbaceous plants that should be on a restored prairie are aster, beebalm,

blazing star, bush clover, coneflower, goldenrod, and native sunflower, according to Iowa State

University. According to The Nature Conservancy, woody plants are not recommended on a

restored prairie as they tend to invade or encroach on the areas.

Species List

A high plant diversity is present in the selected site, Lowell Park. Our list of collect

species includes several native grasses such as Big Bluestem (Andropogon geradrdii), Yellow

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and Burro Grass (Scleropogon brevifolius). These grasses

are key components of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem; they contribute to soil stabilization,

habitat for wildlife, and resilience against invasive species.

The presence of various herbaceous plants such as Hairy Aster (Symphyotrichum

pilosum), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis),

indicates a healthy understory. These plants play crucial roles in supporting pollinators and

enhancing the soil health through nutrient cycling.

The presence of unique species such as Artic Sweet Coltsfoot (Petasistes frigidus) and

Showy Tick-Trefoil (Desmodium canadenense) suggest that our site may provide specialized

habitats that support a wide range of plant life. This diversity enhances ecological resilience and

provides varied habitats for different animal species.

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While some woody plants were found at the site (Black Walnut and Eastern

Cottonwood), their relatively low presence suggests successful management to prevent woody

encroachment, which is vital for maintaining prairie integrity. Monitoring these species to ensure

they do not dominate the prairie is important.

Height and Cover Sampling

How does the average height and ground cover percentage vary among plant species at

the selected site? We found the following to be the height averages for the grasses. Big

Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): Typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 meters in height. Yellow

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans): Usually grows to about 1.2 to 1.8 meters. Little Bluestem

(Schizachyrium scoparium): Typically grows to about 0.5 to 1.2 meters. We found the following

to be the height averages for the herbaceous plants. Hairy Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum):

Usually ranges from 0.5 to 1.2 meters. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Generally, it grows

to about 0.5 to 1 meter. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Typically ranges from 1 to 2 meters. We

found the following height average for the woody plant. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus

deltoides): Can grow to significant heights if not managed but typically smaller in prairie

restorations to avoid competition with grasses and herbaceous plants.

Ground Cover Percentage

This was found about the grass species present. Big Bluestem grass often provides high

ground cover, significantly stabilizing soil and reducing erosion. Yellow Indian Grass, like Big

Bluestem grass, offers substantial ground cover.

We found this for herbaceous plants. Goldenrods can form dense patches, providing

moderate to high ground cover. Black-eyed Susan typically offers moderate ground cover, as it
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often grows interspersed with other species. Aster provides variable ground cover depending on

the density of individual plants.

Density Sampling

What is the population density of each plant species within the selected site? In the dense

growth area, we found the following: woody plants-32 stems, grasses-67 stems, and herbaceous

plants-543 stems. All for a total of 642 stems present in the dense growth area. In the less dense

growth area, we found the following: woody plants-11 stems, grasses-620 stems, and herbaceous

plants-4 stems. All for a total of 635 stems in the less dense growth area.

The population density formula is Population Density=Number of Individuals/Area. The

Circular plot radius was 0.35 meters. A= Area of the Plot radius. Radius = r. I= 3.14159. Formula

A= πr2. Plot with a radius of 1 meter: A= 3.14159 x (1)2=3.14159 square meters. Based on these

formulas, radius, etc., we found the following densities in the dense growth area. Woody plant

density= 32 stems/π m(.35^2)≈83.15m^2. Grass density= 67 stems/π m(.35^2)≈174.10/m^2.

Herbaceous density =543 stems/π m( .35^2) ≈1410.96/m^2. Based on these formulas, radius, etc.

we found the following densities in the less dense growth area: Woody plant density=11 stems/π

m(.35^2) ≈28.58/m^2. Grass density= 620 stems/π m(.35^2) ≈1611.04/m^2 . Herbaceous density

= 4 stems/π m(.35^2) ≈10.39/M62.

The summary of the population density is the following for the dense growth area:

Woody Plants: ~83.15 stems/m², Grasses: ~174.10 stems/m², and Herbaceous Plants: ~1410.96

stems/m². The summary of the population density is the following for the less dense growth area:

Woody Plants: ~28.58 stems/m², Grasses: ~1611.04 stems/m², and Herbaceous Plants: ~10.39

stems/m².
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We interpreted the data as follows: In the dense growth area, herbaceous plants had a

higher density than woody plants and grasses, indicating a more diverse and denser herbaceous

layer. Grasses had a higher density in the less dense growth areas compared to woody and

herbaceous plants, indicating that grasses dominate in less dense growth areas.

Methods

The study site we used was Lowell Park, 16th and Cedar, Boone, IA. It was constructed in

1993 and covers 8.3 acres, of which 6.0 acres of it is reconstructed tallgrass prairie and wetlands.

Line transects

The following procedures were used to collect the line transect data: We took a long tape

measure and measured 50 meters. We collected samples of species type, cover, and height every

10 meters, starting at 0 and ending at 50 meters.

Circular plots

The following procedures were used to collect circular plot data: We determined the size

and location of the plot. We put the circular plot on the ground. We cut all the plants in the plot.

We placed them all in a labeled bag. We counted the number of stems in each bag (sample).

Diameter at Breast Height

The following procedures were used to collect samples of diameter at breast height. We

took a long tape measure and measured the height of the specimen in cm. We recorded the

diameter of the specimen using the calipers at breast height in cm. We collected 10

measurements in each area. The average measurements were the following: North-0.86 cm

average, West-1.09 cm average, and South-0.69 cm average. The total overall average measured

0.73 cm average.
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Results

Species List West

Woody

Carolina water- Cabombaceae Cabomba Fanwort

shield caroliniana
Black Walnut Juglandaceae Juglans nigra Walnut
Mulberry Moraceae Morus alba Mulberries
Siberian elm Ulmaceae Ulmus Pumila Elms
Grass

Yellow Indian Poaceae Sorghastrum Indian grass

Grass nutans
Big Blue Stem Poaceae Andropogon Blue stem grass
gerardii
Chinese silver Poaceae Miscanthus Silver grasses
grass sinensis
American Poaceae Diarrhena Beakgrains
beakgrain Americana
Reedgrass Poaceae Arundinella Arundinella
setosa
Green foxtail Poaceae Setarea verdis Bristle grasses
Herb

Perennial sow Asteraceae Sonchus arvensis Sow thistle

thistle
Hairy Aster Asteraceae Symphotrichum Aster
pilosum
Black-eyed Asteraceae Rudbeckia hirta Coneflowers
Susan
Artic sweet Asteraceae Petasites frigidus Butterburs
coltsfoot
Giant goldenrods Asteraceae Solidago Goldenrods
gigantea
False sunflower Asteraceae Heliopisis Heliopsis
helianthoides
Red head bush Fabaceae Lespedeza Bush clover
clover capitata
Showy Tick- Fabaceae Desmodium Tick clover
Trefoil canadnense
Purple prairie Fabaceae Dalea purpurea Prairie clover
clover
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Illinois Fabaceae Desmanthus Bundleflowers

bundleflower illinoensis
Carrot Apiaceae Dacus carota Dacus
Common Apocynaceae Asclepius syriaca Milkweed
milkweed
Common Onagraceae Oenothera bennis Evening
evening-primrose primrose
Fungi

Horn of plenty Cantharellaceae Craterellus Fungi

cornucopioide
Species List North

Woody

Sandbar willow Salicaceae Salix interior Willow

Eastern Salicaceae Populus deltoides Populus
cottonwood
Grass

Chinese silver Poaceae Miscanthus Silver grasses

grass sinensis
Burro grass Poaceae Scleropogon Burro Grasses
brevifolius
Big Blue Stem Poaceae Andropogon Blue stem grass
gerardii
Meadow foxtail Poaceae Alopercurus Foxtail grass
pratensis
Awlfruit segde Cyperaceae Carex stipata True sedges
Herb

Common vervain Verbenaceae Verbena officinalis Vervains

Canada Asteraceae Solidago canadensis Goldenrods
goldenrod
Cuman ragweed Asteraceae Ambrosia Ragweed
psilostachya
Hairy Aster Asteraceae Symphotrichum Aster
pilosum
Common Asteraceae Ambrosia Ragweed
ragweed artemisifolia
Missouri Asteraceae Solidag Goldenrods
goldenrod missouriensis
Round head bush Fabaceae Lespedeza capitata Bush clover
clover
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Curly-lear Potamogetonacea Potamogeton Pondweed

pondweed e crispus
Curly dock Polygonaceae Rumex crispus Dock
Species List South

Woody

Desert false Fabaceae Amorpha False indigo

indigo fruitocsa
Grass

None found

Herb

Gray Goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago Goldenrods

normoralis
Seawrack Zosteraceae Zostera marina Eelgrass
Birds-foot trefoil Fabaceae Lotus Lotus
corniculatus
Cuman ragweed Asteraceae Ambrosia Ragweed
psilostachya
Prarie fleaband Asteraceae Erigeron Fleabane
strigosus
Curlytop Polygonaceae Persicaria Persicaria
Knotwood lapathifolia
Transects

West Area Transect Data Table

Distance (Meters) Species Type Average Height Ground Cover

(Meters) Percentage (%)
0 Big Bluestem 1.8 50
10 Yellow Indian Grass 1.5 45
20 Hairy Aster 0.8 30
30 Goldenrod 1.7 55
40 Black-eyed Susan 0.7 35
50 Little Bluestem 1.0 40
North Area Transect Data Table
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Distance (Meters) Species Type Average Height Ground Cover

(Meters) Percentage (%)
0 Chinese Silver Grass 1.4 40
10 Burro Grass 1.2 38
20 Meadow Foxtail 0.9 32
30 Awlfruit Sedge 1.0 35
40 Common Vervain 0.8 30
50 Canada Goldenrod 1.6 50

South Area Transect Data Table

Distance (Meters) Species Type Average Height Ground Cover

(Meters) Percentage (%)
0 Gray Goldenrod 0.9 33
10 Seawrack 1.0 35
20 Birds-Foot Trefoil 0.7 28
30 Prairie Fleabane 0.8 30
40 Curlytop Knotweed 1.2 42
50 Cuman Ragweed 0.6 25

Circular plots

Woody Herbaceous Grasses Total

Dense Area 32 543 67 642

Less Dense 11 4 620 635
Area
Discussions/Conclusions

The species list found at Lowell Park contains the following species: Grasses- Yellow

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans), Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Chinese silver grass

(Miscanthus sinesis), American beakgrain (Diarrhena Americana), Reedgrass (Arundinella

setosa), Green foxtail (Setarea verdis), Burro grass (Scleropogon brevifolius), Meadow foxtail

(Alopercurus pratensis), and Awlfruit segde (Carex stipata); Herbaceous: Perennial sow thistle

(Sonchus arvensis), Hairy Aster (Symphotrichum Pilosum), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta),
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Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus), Giant goldenrods (Solidago gigantea), False sunflower

(Heliopsis helianthoides), Red head bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), Showy Tick-Trefoil

(Desmodium canadnense), Purple prairie clover (Dalea Purpurea), Illinois bundle flower

(Desmanthus illnoensis), Carrot (Dacus carota), Common milkweed (Aslepius syriaca), Common

evening-primrose (Oenothera bennis), Common vervain (Verbena officinalis), Canada goldenrod

(Solidago canadensis), Cuman ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia), Missouri goldenrod (Solidag

missouriensis), Roundhead bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), Curly-lear pondweed

(Potamogeton crispus), Curly dock (Rumex crispus), Gray Goldenrod (Solidago normoralis),

Seawrack (Zostera marina), Birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Prarie fleaband (Erigeron

strigosus), and Curlytop Knotwood (Persicaria lapathifolia); and Woody: Carolina water-shield

(Cabomba caroliniana), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), Mulberry (Morus alba), Siberian elm

(Ulmus Pumila), Sandbar willow (Salix interior), Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and

Desert false indigo (Amorpha fruitocsa).

A list of native prairie species contains the following species the most often: Grasses:

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), Side-oats grama

(Bouteloua curtipendula), Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis L.), and Switchgrass (Panicum

virgatum) are the five most common prairie types of grass according to Iowa State University.

Herbaceous: Gray-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta),

Wild bergamot Horsemint (Monarda fistulosa L.), Partidge pea (Chamaecrista fasicultata), and

Gray evening primrose (Oenothera vilosa Thunb.) are the five most common herbaceous plants

according to Iowa State University.

Comparison
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We found several other restored prairies in Iowa to compare Lowell Park to. The Neal

Smith National Wildlife Refuge is home to 6,000 acres of reconstructed prairie, and it was

started in 1990 as the Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge with 3,600 acres, according to the

US Fish and Wildlife Service. According to Iowa Public Radio, 50 bison, flora, and fauna

inhabit the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The prairie there thrives because of the

addition of the keystone species, the bison. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service, golden

Alexander, blue-eyed grass, purple spiderwort, orange butterfly milkweed, white prairie clover,

yellow compass plant, sawtooth sunflower, tall coreopsis, many golden rods, and grasses cover

this restored prairie.

The Irvine Prairie at UNI is about 292 acres. and they have introduced over 100 species

of native prairie plants there, according to Tallgrass Prairie Center. The Richard W. Pohl

Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie is a 22-acre preserve containing a small tallgrass prairie

remnant. In 1971, it was established as an environmental education area. Nearly 100 plant

species have been found at this preserve. According to the Iowa Department of National

Resources, Dominant grasses include big bluestem, Indian grass, side oats grama, and prairie

dropseed. In the spring, white false indigo and wild indigo are stately, and a large population of

prairie dandelion can be found here. The pale purple coneflower and prairie larkspur displays are

remarkable in the summer. In the fall, the asters and rough, and prairie-blazing stars make a

beautiful showing. Elm, hackberry, honey locust, and black locust are the dominant trees in the

woodland, with Tartarian honeysuckle and poison ivy dominating the understory. Controlling

encroaching trees has been a constant challenge in the maintaining of the prairie.

The area of tallgrass prairie at United Community Schools is part of the original Iowa

landscape. It is not a restored prairie and has never been altered, even with the addition of the

United Community School to the area. According to the schools’ principal, Elyse Birmeyer, it is
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a privilege to say that they did not alter the landscape with the addition of the school and that the

community and children can still enjoy some of the original tall grass prairies. She said she does

not know the exact measurements, but she has heard that it is one of Iowa's most significant-

sized pieces of original tallgrass prairie left in Iowa.

Future

The future of the tallgrass prairie faces several challenges, but it also holds some promise

due to the conservation and restoration efforts that have been taking place. According to the

National Park Service, the tallgrass prairie has been reduced to less than 4% of its original extent

due to the conversion to agricultural land and urban development. Factors like climate change,

severe and more frequent droughts, flooding, and increased temperatures can disrupt the

ecosystem and threaten the native prairie species, according to Sellers et. al.

Conservation efforts are underway to help conserve and restore the tallgrass prairie to its

original beauty. There are protected areas and newly restored tall grass prairie areas being

restored. Some programs and events are being held to raise awareness of the tallgrass prairie.

According to Seller et al., studies are currently being conducted to help the prairies cope

with climate change impacts. Continued efforts by everyone to help protect and restore the

prairie can help preserve its unique biodiversity and ecosystem services. There are currently

efforts underway to help promote sustainable agricultural practice and land use planning to help

reduce further habitat loss and support prairie conservation.

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References

Iowa Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Preserves guide.

[Link]

Iowa Public Radio. (2023, May 26). Iowa prairie restoration project still growing at Neal Smith

with the help of bison. Iowa Public Radio. [Link] -

news/2023-05-26/iowa-prairie-restoration-project-still-growing-neal-smith-bison

Iowa State University, STRIPS Research. (n.d.). Dominant prairie plant species. Iowa State

University. [Link] -species

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Iowa State University. (n.d.). FAQ: What kind of plants are actually in prairie strips? STRIPS

Project. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from

[Link]

actually- prairie- strips#:~:text=Typically%2C%20plantings%20include %20stiff%2D

stemmed,%2C%20goldenrod%2C%20and%20native%20sunflower.

NASA Earth Observatory. (n.d.). Grasslands. NASA. Retrieved November 21, 2024,

from [Link]

%20receive%20around%20500%20to,inches%29%20of%20rain%20per%20year

National Park Service. (n.d.). Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. U.S. Department of the

Interior. [Link]

Sellers, J., Gonzalez de Castaneda, D., DeNicola, D. M., & Thompson, R. (2023). Long-term

bacterial dynamics in low-order freshwater streams: Predictable community structure and

variability. Microbial Ecology, 86, 564–579. [Link] -02150-1

Tallgrass Prairie Center. (n.d.). Irvine Prairie. Tallgrass Prairie Center. Retrieved November 26,

2024, from [Link]

The Nature Conservancy. (2017). Restoring your degraded grassland to conservation

prairie. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved from

[Link] -

[Link]

Wrangle. (n.d.). North American tall grass prairie. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from

[Link]
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). About Us: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from

[Link]