Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
The Texas Blackland Prairie habitat is under extreme threat. Currently, only 1% of the original prairie remains. Restoration efforts across the state have aimed to address these concerns. This research set out to test the efficacy of the methods used to restore prairies regarding three grasses. Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans, were surveyed to establish their species abundance on two fields in North Texas. Based on their abundance and the history of each field, conclusions were drawn on the efficacy of the maintenance. Seeding was found to be inconsequential for A. gerardii and S. nutans, while S. scoparium appeared inconclusive. Fires, mowing, and brush removal likely benefited S. scoparium while having minimal effects on A. gerardii and S. nutans. Overall, this research has shown the importance of old growth roots and continued monitoring of maintenance efficacy.
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Language
English
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Howell, Stephanie, "COMPARING PRAIRIE MANAGEMENT METHODS’ EFFECTS ON THREE NATIVE TEXAN GRASSES" (2022). 2022 Fall Honors Capstone Projects. 10.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_fall2022/10