Floristic composition of a restored tallgrass prairie compared to a native tallgreass prairie remnant in Southeast Kansas

Corpstein, Craig

Thesis for MS degree from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. The Fort Scott National Historic Site (FOSC) restored tallgrass prairie in southeast Kansas was studied in order to (1) analyze its current condition, (2) compare it to a regional native tallgrass prairie, (3) compare four subunits of the FOSC restored prairie, (4) compare it to previous studies, and (5) provide management recommendations. Cover values for plant species were estimated using a systematic random design based on the modified Daubenmire cover scale. Species richness and floristic quality were significantly higher at the native prairie than at FOSC in June and September. Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) was the only dominant species found at both study sites. Summer/fall forbs are the main functional group at FOSC in June, with C4 grasses becoming dominant by September. The C4 plant guild was the major functional group at the native prairie in June and September. Species composition and abundances were similar among the four FOSC subunits. Species richness has increased since the FOSC restoration was started in 1979. Differences in species composition and their interaction between study areas indicate that the FOSC restored prairie has not fully recreated the native prairie that was once found in the area around Fort Scott. The elimination of exotic and woody species, along with efforts to increase native species diversity, is needed to maintain the restored prairie and to improve its overall condition.