Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2012

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Biology and Microbiology

First Advisor

W. Carter Johnson

Abstract

Numerous wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region have been drained and iv converted to agriculture. Attempts to restore wetlands and wetland function in this region have been ineffective, in part, due to poor recruitment of wet meadow and low prairie plant species. Prairie wedgegrass [Sphenopholis obtusata (Michx.) Scribn.] is a widespread North American wet meadow and low prairie plant species. Prairie wedgegrass is an early successional colonizer of disturbed wetland habitat, making it a good candidate for use in wetland restoration. Prior to this study wedgegrass was commercially unavailable for restoration use. This work studied the life history of prairie wedgegrass in order to make appropriate recommendations for how and where it should be used in wetland restorations. The following objectives were proposed to explore the life history of prairie wedge grass: (1) determine where prairie wedgegrass grows and its optimum conditions for growth by studying plant response along environmental gradients; (2) determine landscape position and community associated species by studying naturally occurring prairie wedgegrass populations; (3) produce the first lot of prairie wedgegrass seed for the restoration market. American sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne ), a better studied species with similar life history, was used as a reference species to make comparisons with wedgegrass. A number of prairie wedgegrass populations were studied in eastern South Dakota, but especially at the EcoSun Prairie Farm near Colman, SD. Wedgegrass and sloughgrass plugs were planted along an environmental gradient. Wedge grass was found to exhibit broader tolerance to moisture conditions than sloughgrass. Wedge grass performed well along much of the gradient except where plants were submerged. Sloughgrass showed a definite preference to the wetter portion of the gradient. It performed well at the bottom of the gradient even under submergence. Sloughgrass productivity steadily decreased as conditions became drier. Prairie wedgegrass seed was also planted along an environmental gradient. Germination and seedling survival are likely more influential in determining prairie wedgegrass' niche than the tolerance of mature plants to environmental conditions. Natural wetland plant communities were assessed to determine with what species wedgegrass grows. Wedgegrass was found most frequently associated with low-prairie and wet-meadow species and less frequently with shallow and deep-marsh species. Wedgegrass was found most frequently with: Asclepias incamata, Carex pellita, Hordeumjubatum, Phalaris arundinacea, Poa pratensis, Solidago canadensis, and Sonchus arvensis. Prairie wedgegrass seed was collected from a naturally occurring population. Wedge grass plugs were established in a green house and transplanted for small scale seed production. Seed was sown over nearly one hectare for larger scale seed production. Wedgegrass seed was successfully produced for the restoration market. Wedgegrass is an important member of wetland plant communities as an early successional colonizer of disturbed habitat. Wedgegrass is recommended for use in wetland restoration seed mixes because of its potential to enhance the ecological diversity and resilience of prairie wetland restorations.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Wetland restoration -- Prairie Pothole Region
Wetland plants -- Prairie Pothole Region
Grasses -- Prairie Pothole Region
Prairie plants -- Prairie Pothole Region

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS
 

Rights Statement

In Copyright