Restoring A Tallgrass Prairie In Haliburton Highlands: Assessing Success Based On Soil Conditions and Plant Communities
Title
Restoring A Tallgrass Prairie In Haliburton Highlands: Assessing Success Based On Soil Conditions and Plant Communities
Author
Tiana Bilodeau
Host Organization
Abbey Gardens
Supervising Faculty
Dr. Autumn Watkinson
Date
2024
Location of Document
Online
Area
Haliburton County
Subject
Soil conditions, plant communities, naturalization
Abstract
Tallgrass prairies were once abundant in North America. However, they are now considered a rare ecosystem. Restoration of tallgrass prairie from agriculture and farmlands is common when restoration occurs; however, little is known about restoring tallgrass prairie from aggregate pits. The objective of this study was to assess the success of a tallgrass prairie restoration from a gravel pit in Haliburton, ON. The main objective of the study was to quantify and compare soil conditions and plant density in three zones across the site to understand the heterogeneous bunchgrass growth in the restored area. I hypothesized that bunchgrass height, basal diameter, and/or density would increase in response to more favourable soil conditions, like moisture and organic matter. Percent cover of vegetation species, bare ground, debris, and crust were measured in quadrats positioned in a grid pattern across the site. At these locations, moisture, electrical conductivity, and temperature were measured using a time-domain reflectometer, and soil cores were collected along transects across the site. Bunchgrass density, height, and basal diameter were measured along transects. Electrical conductivity, temperature, percent silt, and clay were significantly different across the site. Bunchgrass height and density were greatest in the zone with the highest soil moisture content and organic matter. My results indicate that restoration methods or edaphic conditions may be impacting bunchgrass and plant communities across the site and point to areas where adaptive management could improve the restoration trajectory.
Publisher
Trent University
Date Available
2024
Date Created
2024
Date Accepted
2024
Date Copyrighted
2024
Date Submitted
2024
Date Issued
2024
Files
Reference
Tiana Bilodeau, Restoring A Tallgrass Prairie In Haliburton Highlands: Assessing Success Based On Soil Conditions and Plant Communities, Trent University, 2024