Prairie plant community monitoring at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Iowa: 2004–2017
Leis SA and Young CC. 2018. Prairie plant community monitoring at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Iowa: 2004–2017. Natural Resource Report. NPS/HTLN/NRR—2018/1807. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The purpose of the restored prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (NHS) is to provide a sense of the landscape that was present at the time of Herbert Hoover’s life as a contemplative backdrop for visitors to learn about his life. The 47-year old reconstruction has been monitored throughout its restoration. The Heart-land Inventory and Monitoring Network completed five plant community monitoring events at the park to date. Species richness of native prairie species continues to increase. Species diversity measures were consistently low, however. Plant guilds are dominated by forbs and grasses, respectively. Woody and exotic plant abundance in the prairie increased during the last monitoring period. This increase may be associated with the recent decrease in fire frequency and the shift away from chemical control of select woody plants. Grass litter and deciduous leaf litter have also increased. While the increase in species richness is positive, increasing trends in exotic and woody species will likely continue without adjustments in management practices.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Leis, Sherry; Young, Craig
- Date of Issue
- 2018-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- HEHO , HTLN , NRSS
- Keywords
- FIRE, Fire ecology monitoring reports, HTLN Fire Ecology Monitoring, HTLN Plant Communities Monitoring, HTLN Plant Community Monitoring, Long-term monitoring, Monitoring, Plant community, Prairie, Prescribed Fire, Restoration, Shrubs, tallgrass prairie, Vegetation