The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States

The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States PDF Author: Chris Helzer
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 1587299313
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
Most prairies exist today as fragmented landscapes, making thoughtful and vigilant management ever more important. Intended for landowners and managers dedicated to understanding and nurturing their prairies as well as farmers, ranchers, conservationists, and all those with a strong interest in grasslands, ecologist Chris Helzer’s readable and practical manual educates prairie owners and managers about grassland ecology and gives them guidelines for keeping prairies diverse, vigorous, and viable. Chapters in the first section, "Prairie Ecology," describe prairie plants and the communities they live in, the ways in which disturbance modifies plant communities, the animal and plant inhabitants that are key to prairie survival, and the importance of diversity within plant and animal communities. Chapters in the second section, "Prairie Management," explore the adaptive management process as well as guiding principles for designing management strategies, examples of successful management systems such as fire and grazing, guidance for dealing with birds and other species that have particular habitat requirements and with the invasive species that have become the most serious threat that prairie managers have to deal with, and general techniques for prairie restoration. Following the conclusion and a forward-thinking note on climate change, eight appendixes provide more information on grazing, prescribed fire, and invasive species as well as bibliographic notes, references, and national and state organizations with expertise in prairie management. Grasslands can be found throughout much of North America, and the ideas and strategies in this book apply to most of them, particularly tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies in eastern North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, northwestern Missouri, northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, Iowa, southwestern Wisconsin, and southwestern Minnesota. By presenting all the factors that promote biological diversity and thus enhance prairie communities, then incorporating these factors into a set of clear-sighted management practices, The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States presents the tools necessary to ensure that grasslands are managed in the purposeful ways essential to the continued health and survival of prairie communities.

The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States

The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States PDF Author: Chris Helzer
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 1587299313
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 234

Get Book Here

Book Description
Most prairies exist today as fragmented landscapes, making thoughtful and vigilant management ever more important. Intended for landowners and managers dedicated to understanding and nurturing their prairies as well as farmers, ranchers, conservationists, and all those with a strong interest in grasslands, ecologist Chris Helzer’s readable and practical manual educates prairie owners and managers about grassland ecology and gives them guidelines for keeping prairies diverse, vigorous, and viable. Chapters in the first section, "Prairie Ecology," describe prairie plants and the communities they live in, the ways in which disturbance modifies plant communities, the animal and plant inhabitants that are key to prairie survival, and the importance of diversity within plant and animal communities. Chapters in the second section, "Prairie Management," explore the adaptive management process as well as guiding principles for designing management strategies, examples of successful management systems such as fire and grazing, guidance for dealing with birds and other species that have particular habitat requirements and with the invasive species that have become the most serious threat that prairie managers have to deal with, and general techniques for prairie restoration. Following the conclusion and a forward-thinking note on climate change, eight appendixes provide more information on grazing, prescribed fire, and invasive species as well as bibliographic notes, references, and national and state organizations with expertise in prairie management. Grasslands can be found throughout much of North America, and the ideas and strategies in this book apply to most of them, particularly tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies in eastern North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, northwestern Missouri, northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, Iowa, southwestern Wisconsin, and southwestern Minnesota. By presenting all the factors that promote biological diversity and thus enhance prairie communities, then incorporating these factors into a set of clear-sighted management practices, The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States presents the tools necessary to ensure that grasslands are managed in the purposeful ways essential to the continued health and survival of prairie communities.

Hidden Prairie

Hidden Prairie PDF Author: Chris Helzer
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 1609386930
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
Chris Helzer illustrates the beauty and diversity of prairie through an impressive series of photographs, all taken within the same square meter of prairie. During his year-long project, he photographed 113 plant and animal species within a tiny plot, and captured numerous other images that document the splendor of diverse grasslands. Even readers familiar with prairies will be fascinated by the varied subject matter Helzer captured with his camera. In addition, his captivating and accessible natural history writing tells the story of his personal journey during the project and the stories of the characters he found within his chosen square meter of prairie. This book is packed with gorgeous full-page close-up photos of prairie plants and animals, interspersed with a dozen short essays that include both ecology and natural history tidbits and enthralling and gently humorous anecdotes about Helzer’s experience staring into a tiny bit of prairie for one year. Helzer writes eloquently about the conservation value of prairies and uses his photos and stories to reinforce a conservation ethic among his readers.

The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Restoration in the Upper Midwest

The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Restoration in the Upper Midwest PDF Author: Daryl Smith
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 1587299526
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
"This manual, by four of the most knowledgeable prairie restorationists in the Upper Midwest, brings together absolutely everything that anyone, regardless of background, needs to know for proper tallgrass prairie restoration. In addition to chapters on everything from planning to implementing to managing a prairie, chapters on native seed production and restoring prairies in public spaces and along roadsides cover all that is necessary for successful prairie restorations. This book is an absolute must for anyone in the business of prairie restoration as well as a great read for any prairie enthusiast." -- Robert H. Mohlenbrock, distinguished professor emeritus of botany, Southern Illinois University --Book Jacket.

Ecological Restoration in the Midwest

Ecological Restoration in the Midwest PDF Author: Christian Lenhart
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 160938573X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
Introduction / Christian Lenhart and Peter C. Smiley, Jr. -- Discovering the roots of ecology and ecological restoration in the Midwest /Peter C. Smiley Jr., David P. Benson, and John A. Harrington -- Midwestern theory and practices that have shaped the field of ecological restoration / Christian Lenhart, Peter C. Smiley Jr., and John Shuey -- Historical and current prairie restoration in the Midwest / Steve Glass and Daryl Smith -- Floodplain wetland restoration along the Illinois River / Michael J. Lemke, Heath M. Hagy, Andrew F. Casper, and Hua Chen -- Restoring stream ecosystems in the Midwest / Luther Aadland, Neil Haugerud, and Christian Lenhart -- Restoration of urban ecosystems / Jen Lyndall, Joe Dimisa, and Constance Hausman -- The role of restoration in a changing world : increasing ecosystem resilience and response in the face of climate change / John Shuey and Hua Chen -- Invasive species management : developing a common vision for Midwestern landscapes / Dan Shaw -- The emerging role of ecological restoration in agricultural watershed management in the Midwest / Christian Lenhart and Peter C. Smiley, Jr. -- Building on dual legacies of ecological restoration and ecosystem degradation / Peter C. Smiley Jr., Christian Lenhart, and John Shuey

Grassland Dynamics

Grassland Dynamics PDF Author: Alan K. Knapp
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
ISBN: 9780195114867
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 364

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Book Description
This is the first volume in the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Series. Established in 1980, the LTER program is exploring a wide variety of biomes characteristic of the United States and developing a baseline for ecosystem dynamics over long time periods and broad spatial scales. The volumes in this series will include both comprehensive reviews of research from particular sites and topical overviews which use data from many sites to examine important questions in ecology. This volume, which focuses on the Konza Prairie in northeastern Kansas, is a synthesis of over 15 years of research in pristine tallgrass prairie. It gives a comprehensive site description and summarizes the key long-term studies that form the basis for the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research Program. It then presents a synthesis of the many research areas involved and develops a foundation for future ecological studies in tallgrass prairie. With over 150 figures and tables, chapters that encompass microbial through landscape scales, and an emphasis on lessons learned from long-term studies, this volume provides a unique and comprehensive perspective on the structural and functional ecology of the grassland ecosystem that once covered most of central North America.

Prairie

Prairie PDF Author: Candace Savage
Publisher: Greystone Books Ltd
ISBN: 1771645954
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
Praise for the previous edition of Prairie: "Impelled with its sense of the miraculous in nature." —Globe and Mail Candace Savage’s acclaimed and beautifully written guide to the ecology of the prairies, now revised and updated. This revised edition of Prairie features a new preface along with updated research on the effects of climate change on an increasingly vulnerable landscape. It also offers new information on: · conservation of threatened species, including the black-tailed prairie dog and farmland birds; · grassland loss and conservation; · the health of rivers and the water table; · the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on prairie wetlands; · the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Illustrated with elegant black-and-white line drawings and maps, this award-winning tome continues to be a highly readable guide to understanding the ecology, geological history, biodiversity, and resilience of the prairies.

Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie

Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie PDF Author: Sylvan T. Runkel
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description


The Great Plains

The Great Plains PDF Author: Stephen J. Pyne
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
ISBN: 0816536163
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
Early descriptions of the Great Plains often focus on a vast, grassy expanse that was either burnt or burning. The scene continued to burn until the land was plowed under or grazed away and broken by innumerable roads and towns. Yet, where the original landscape has persisted, so has fire, and where people have sought to restore something of that original setting, they have had to reinstate fire. This has required the persistence or creation of a fire culture, which in turn inspired schools of science and art that make the Great Plains today a regional hearth for American fire. Volume 5 of To the Last Smoke introduces a region that once lay at the geographic heart of American fire, and today promises to reclaim something of that heritage. After all these years, the Great Plains continue to bear witness to how fires can shape contemporary life, and vice versa. In this collection of essays, Stephen J. Pyne explores how this once most regularly and widely burned province of North America, composed of various subregions and peoples, has been shaped by the flames contained within it and what fire, both tame and feral, might mean for the future of its landscapes. Included in this volume: How wildland and rural fire have changed from the 19th century to the 21st century How fire is managed in the nation’s historic tallgrass prairies, from Texas to South Dakota, from Illinois to Nebraska How fire connects with other themes of Great Plains life and culture How and why Texas has returned to the national narrative of landscape fire

Forgotten Grasslands of the South

Forgotten Grasslands of the South PDF Author: Reed F. Noss
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 159726489X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 353

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Book Description
Forgotten Grasslands of the South is the study of one of the biologically richest and most endangered ecosystems in North America. In a seamless blend of science and personal observation, renowned ecologist Reed Noss explains the natural history of southern grasslands, their origin and history, and the physical determinants of grassland distribution, including ecology, soils, landform, and hydrology. In addition to offering fascinating new information about these little-studied ecosystems, Noss demonstrates how natural history is central to the practice of conservation. Although theory and experimentation have recently dominated the field of ecology, ecologists are coming to realize how these distinct approaches are not divergent but complementary, and that pursuing them together can bring greater knowledge and understanding of how the natural world works and how we can best conserve it. This long-awaited work sets a new standard for scientific literature and is essential reading for those who study and work to conserve the grasslands of the South as well as for everyone who is fascinated by the natural world.

Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands of North America

Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands of North America PDF Author: Darold P. Batzer
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780471292586
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1122

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Book Description
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that help filter a great number of toxicants out of the earth's waters. They must be managed and occasionally even built from scratch, including all of the flora and fauna that grows there. Invertebrates play a key role in the wetland food chain. This comprehensive resource is the first dedicated solely to the ecology and management of invertebrates.