Ecology of Prairie Ecosystems PDF

THE Prairie Ecosystems Presentation Prairies Prairies latin for “meadow” and AKA: Grasslands Although dominated by grasses, they also include: wildflowers and forbs broadleaved plants Prairies Prairies vary in elevation, soil characteristics and soil moisture They exist on dark rich loam to light si...

THE Prairie Ecosystems Presentation Prairies Prairies latin for “meadow” and AKA: Grasslands Although dominated by grasses, they also include: wildflowers and forbs broadleaved plants Prairies Prairies vary in elevation, soil characteristics and soil moisture They exist on dark rich loam to light silt soil Deep roots of native prairie grasses help locate pockets of nutrients prairies categorized by soil moisture Soil moisture is dependent upon plant diversity and rainfall. The draining of the soils at different rates causes some prairies to have little moisture in the soil, while other prairies remain wet for long periods of time DRY PRAIRIE MESIC PRAIRIE WET PRAIRIE Dry Prairies water in dry prairies drains quickly and usually occur on high, well-drained hills, kames, bluffs, and ridges not uncommon to find accompanied by rock cliffs plants tolerate near drought conditions soil may be rocky or limey and possibly less rich due to erosion most are encroached by shrubs and trees dry prairie grasses tend to be shorter indicator species include: prairie smoke, pasque flower, foxglove, silky aster, little bluestem, indian grass and side-oats grama Dry Prairie species Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum, rose family low leafy rosette 6-10” across basal leaves 3-5” long, 1-2” across flowering staks from from center of rosette flower stalks 5-10” tall with 3 umbels flower stalks are reddish purple and densely hairy bloom early to late spring and lasts 1-2months, flower becomes erect and develops achenes (seeds) with long feather tails achenes distributed by wind basal leaves reddish purple over winter Dry Prairie species Pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris, buttercup family toxic and may cause stomach upset thick fibrous rootstock becomes woody divided stalks rise in early spring most leaves develop after flowers leaves pinnate forming mound 10-12” tall plant covered in soft, silvery hairs upright, bell-shaped flowers emerge shortly after first leaves 1.5” flower borne singly on stems 5-8” tall flower petal color varies, but stames are bright golden color plants remain attractive through summer Dry Prairie species foxglove Penstemon digitalis, snapdragon family one or more rosettes of basal leaves produced flowering stalks emerge during spring stalks are 3’ tall, hairless and light green stalks have opposite leaves flowers occur in panicle at top of stem and bloom late spring to early summer blooms last about 1 month blooms are tubular and 1” long corolla divided in to lobes Dry Prairie species Silky Aster Symphyotrichum sericeum, aster family 6”-2’ tall leafy stems can be erect ascending or sprawling young stems are whitish green to silver older stems are brown or purple alternate narrow leaves that are 0.5”-1.25” long upper and lower surfaces of leaves are green to silver-colored 1+ flower heads at terminal daisy like flowerheads ~ 1.25” across with 10-22 rays surrounding a disk and tubular in shape Dry Prairie species Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium grass family grows to be 2-4’ tall grows from May to first frost in fall spring and summer → blue/green fall → rust and gold flowers are “feathery” covered with short white hairs wich bloom mid Aug-mid september Dry Prairie species Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans, grass family grows to be 4-8’ tall grows from first of May and flowers during late July/August identified by claw like structure where leaf blade attaches to the stem Dry Prairie species Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula, grass family grows to be 1-3’ tall flowers during the summer its small, “oat like” seeds line up on one side of its stem Mesic Prairies found on sites with good drainage high moisture available through growing season, rainfall 25-39” in mostly spring and summer can experience periods of drought contain most diverse wildflower displays occupied land that is the best farmland (i.e.cornbelt) indicator species include: prairie dock, compass plant, purple prairie clover, purple coneflower, golden rod, blazing star, big blue stem, and switch grass Mesic Prairie species Prairie Dock Silphium terebinthinaceum, aster family grows 5-7’ tall blooms July thru September flowering stems are smooth with yellow heads each head has a center disk with 12-20 rays leaves are sandpaper rough at base and arrow shaped forms a gum or rosin substance that was chewed by early settlers Mesic Prairie species Compass Plant Silphium laciniatum, aster family grows 4-8’ tall blooms late June - August yellow flower heads are at terminal ends heads have yellow rays and disk leaves are large, deeply cleft, and rough leaves grow in North & South directions major plant in Bison diet Mesic Prairie species Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea, bean family grows 1-3’ tall sends up multiple flowering stems flowers are a dense cylindrical spike of flowers 1-2” long bloom early to mid summer and lasts about 1-2months deep stout taproot adds nitrogen to soil Mesic Prairie species Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea, aster family grows up to 3.5’ tall narrow alternate leaves up to 6” long with widely spaced teeth flower heads are terminal and span 2-4” across flowerheads have 10-20 rays surrounding a large yellow/brown/red central cone of disk florets Mesic Prairie species Stiff Goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum, aster family grows 2-4’ tall blooms late August - October flowers look like miniature yellow asters arranged flat across the top leaves are stiff and rough leaves alternate on the stem Mesic Prairie species Blazing Star Liatris pycnostachya, aster family grows 2-5’ tall blooms July - October forms hairy, unbranched stalk and a spike of densely crowded, rose-purple flowerheads more commenly known as “snakeroot” Mesic Prairie species Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii, grass family grows up to 8’ tall or more begins growing season in late April flowers in late summer seed head is branched into 3 parts (looks like a turkey foot) Illinois State Prairie grass Mesic Prairie species Switchgrass Panicum virgatum, grass family grows 3-6’ tall identified by a prominent nest of hair where the leaf blade attaches to the stem Wet Prairies saturated soils and often contain clay, so drain slowly often standing water with soil types ranging from leached sand/gravel to organic peat alkaline fen is a wet prairie with an internal flow of alkaline water indicator species include: marsh milkweed, joe pye weed, cardinal flower, great blue lobelia, and prairie cord grass Wet Prairie species Marsh/Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata, milkweed family grows 2-6’ tall blooms late summer and lasts about a month blooms are a cluster of small umbelled flowers that range in color from mauve to reddish/violet Wet Prairie species Joe Pye Weed Eutrochium purpureum, aster family grows 3-7’ tall leaves are 6” long, dull, green, and hairless central stem terminates in compound of pale pink flowers (florets) that are bunched together florets bloom mid-summer to early fall and last about 1 month florets are replaced by a bullet-shaped achene with small tuft of hair. Wet Prairie species Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis, Bellflower family grows 2-3.5’ tall central light green stem with rough-textured 6” long leaves central stem terminates ina spike-like raceme of showy red flowers corolla of each flower has narrow upright tubular structure blooms late summer to early fall and lasts about 1 month Wet Prairie species Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica, Bellflower family grows 1-4’ tall central light green stem with 5” long leaves central stem terminates in a spike-like raceme of showy blue-violet flowers flower corolla is narrowly bell-shaped and 2-lipped blooms late summer to early fall and lasts about 2 months Wet Prairie species Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinata, Grass family grows 3-7’ tall can tolerate periods of hot dry weather 10-30 alternating spikes per raceme that are erect, ascending, or widely spread dominant grass of wet prairies in Illinois Diversity of Prairies Diversity in any ecosystem is important to preserve a resource. The prairie has numerous eco-services. Diversity varies from Biodiversity, Genetic Diversity, to even Human involvement and Cultural Diversity BIODIVERSITY GENETIC DIVERSITY CULTURAL DIVERSITY BioDiversity Biodiversity is the sum total of all the plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms in a particular area (or the world) Set of living organisms that make up the fabric of the Earth Biodiversity offers a lot for habitats, food resources, and life cycle requirements (i.e. breeding grounds) Illinois biodiversity includes 53,000 native species in over 100 distinct habitat types within 14 natural divisions hotbed of biodiversity Genetic Diversity genetic variation among members of a population ⚬ stabilizer of populations helps population less susceptible to disease decreases dramatic impact on population of genetic mutations bottleneck and founder effect ⚬ weakened species ⚬ prone to mutation impact ⚬ unable to adapt to environmental changes? The greater prairie chicken is an Illinois example of lack of genetic diversity due to habitat loss and therefor a huge population decline Cultural Diversity Native Americans were among the first known inhabitants prairie was a source of food and materials a “way of life” White Settlers brought a new “way of life”, new system of agriculture, and new values began a new, highly destructive chapter in prairie history The industrial revolution brought equipment to the prairie to increase productivity CHALLENGES: Biogeography Science of the distribution of plants and animals on Earth Native species are adapted to environment Native species are part of natural food chain and may contain Keystone species species can be transported beyond native habitats can relate to damage to an ecosystem transport of species can bring diversity, but lead to invasive species native vs nonnative CHALLENGES: Invasive Species Non-native species that are very well adapted to current ecosystem out-compete native species for resources can lead to a decline of biodiversity can be introduced intentionally or unintentionally ex: garlic mustard and purple loosestrife some native species can turn invasive when a major change occurs that favors them to increase in abundance and take over in their ecosystem loss of keystone species? ex: cowbirds - favor edge habitat and sugar maples - favor suppression of wildfires Invasives CHALLENGES: Species Homogenization Homogenous →”the same or a similar kind of nature” species homogenization gives a sort of dull, picked over version of the original system specialist vs generalist, what is left after human influence is the adaptable…primarily generalist product of “survival of the fittest”? loss of species lead to long term ramifications inability to find new cures and remedies Homogeny CHALLENGES: Biodiversity Loss Ramifications of biodiversity loss? The more diverse a system is, the better its chances for long-term survival begins a chain reaction through the systems species loss → food lost? habitat lost for another species? predator? species control? → new invasive? aesthetics → ecotourism fragility of monocultures Prairie Interdependence A self-sustaining ecosystem is one that is independent of human interference and species are dependent upon themselves to sustain plants are adapted to harsh climate (drought, flooding, stomping) and animals are adapted to those plants If one part is removed from that system then chain reaction of problems can occur 1 Birdsfoot Violet 2 Regal Fritillary Butterfly Land Use Prairie rich soil great for agriculture modern agricultural practices monocultures insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have taken “living tissue” ⚬ sterile growth medium? Prairie Strip Sustainability Creating independence from human involvement and self-sustaining prairie interdependence is the ultimate goal of Prairie Sustainability Native prairie plants are adapted to area climates (fire, wind, flood, drought, grazing, stomping) Plant survive dessication for return of a new season Microorganisms, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals are also adapted to area climates and use of plants for food, shelter, and water Ecosystem also builds soil every year Restoration & Management Reasons for restoration ⚬ aesthetics ⚬ human benefit (food, medicine) future exploration ⚬ human connection (relationship to land) stewardship ⚬ ecosystem and species benefit Restoration can bring back different species of the ecosystem. Prairie Strip Restoration & Management Management tries to mimic natural occurrences fire ⚬ new restorations should be burned first spring following planting and then yearly for 5-6yrs ⚬ Established prairies should be burned every 2-3yrs grazing ⚬ cows vs bison cows are voracious grazers and not migratory bison are migratory ⚬ goats? Prairies Of Illinois Tallgrass Prairie (Mesic Prairie) Historically, prairies covered 61% of 21.6 million acres of what is present day Illinois All but 9 of the present counties contained some portion of prairie Strips of forest bisected grassland dense stands of trees (mostly hardwood) grew along waterways and at times encircled sizable areas dense tree stand fingers would obscure the prairie from explorers Prairies Of Illinois Louisiana Purchase (1803) Initial settlement of Illinois took place between 1820-1840, started in south Settlers would choose sites in wooded lots near prairie for their building material, but soon realized the fertility of the prairie and learned to farm. By 1900, most of the prairies had been converted to agriculture or urban uses By 1976, 39 of Illinois’ 102 counties had no high-quality prairie remaining Currently, prairies cover 6,100 acres and only 2,350 are considered high-quality major loss of habitat Illinois TallGrass Prairie Species PRAIRIE GRASSES Illinois tallgrass prairies have medium amount of water FORBS broad leaved flowering plants INSECTS many insects consider the prairie home and important for pollination MAMMALS prior to 1800s bison and elk roamed IL prairies. Current mammals adapted to farmland setting IL Prairie species Forb: New England Aster Grows 1-4’ tall blooms Aug - October large, violet to red-purple flowers with yellow centers leaves are heart shaped at the base, clasp teh stem and are rough to the touch. IL Prairie species Forb: Butterfly Weed grows 1-2’ tall warm season flower blooms late June to August part of the milkweed family flowers are orange in a broad umbel alternate leaves does not exude white latex like most milkweeds IL Prairie species Forb: Rattlesnake Master grows 3-4’ tall blooms in early July to August flowers are thistle like, white spherical heads leaves are stiff, bayonet-shaped with teeth along the edges and look like a yucca leaf IL Prairie species Forb: Black-eyed Susan grows 1-3’ tall blooms July - August flowers have 10-20 showy yellow rays and a brown domed disk center lower leaves are oblong, toothed, and hairy or rough Upper leaves are oblong, lanceolate, and alternate IL Prairie species Insect: American Bumblebee 2cm long large, furry bee banded with black and yellow thorax and segments 1-3 of abdomen are yellow black/smokey wings queens larger than workers IL Prairie species Insect: Field Cricket Food: plant material (seeds, sm. fruit) dying & dead insects Sound: common →triple chirps courtship →continuous trill, high pitch Life Cycle: female deposit eggs eggs overwinter in North eggs, nymphs, & adults overwinter in South and produce 3 generations/year IL Prairie species Insect: Praying Mantis Food: diurnal insects (caterpillars, butterflies, & more) Life Cycle: eggs overwinter in flat mass attached to exposed twigs above snow eggs hatch in late spring nymphs are dispersed by wind or eat one another surviving nymphs are solitary one generation matures in late summer or early fall IL Prairie species Insect: Monarch only butterfly that annually migrates both north and south ○ migrates in generations ○ overwinters in Mexico (heads north in spring and south in fall) monarch population has dropped drastically monarch lifecycle depends upon milkweed IL Prairie species Insect: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail yellow-green globular egg (