This paper was the first to summarize the vegetation at Free State Prairie. Authors included graduate student Nathan Jaksetic (see profile below), who used the study for his thesis. University of Kansas faculty members (Helen Alexander, Bryan Foster, and James Bever) helped with data collection, data analysis, and writing. Free State students took some of the data in the paper: four students focused on the project in the summer and eight classes (182 students!) collected data as well. Free State high school teacher Julie Schwarting coordinated high school student involvement with the study.

Abstract: A cost‐effective approach in plant restorations could be to increase sowing density for species known to be challenging to establish, while reducing sowing density for species that easily colonize on their own. Sowing need not occur evenly across the site for rapidly dispersing species. We explored these issues using a prairie restoration experiment on a high‐school campus with three treatments: plots sown only to grasses (G plots), to grasses and forbs (GF1), and to grasses and forbs with forbs sown at twice the density (GF2). In year 2, GF1 and GF2 plots had higher diversity than G plots, as expected, but GF2 treatments did not have twice the sown forb cover. However, high forb sowing density increased forb richness, probably by reducing stochastic factors in establishment. Cover of non-sown species was highest in G plots and lowest in GF2 plots, suggesting suppressive effects of native forbs on weedy species. Colonization of G plots by two sown forbs (Coreopsis tinctoria and Rudbeckia hirta) was apparent after 2.5 years, providing evidence that these species are self‐sustaining. Colonization was greater in edges than in the central areas of G plots. Through construction of establishment kernels, we infer that the mean establishment distance was shorter for R. hirta (6.7 m) compared to C. tinctoria (21.1 m). Our results lead us to advocate for restoration practices that consider not only seed sowing but also subsequent dispersal of sown species. Furthermore, we conclude that restoration research is particularly amenable for outdoor education and university‐high school collaborations.

SOWING DENSITY EFFECTS AND PATTERNS OF COLONIZATION IN A PRAIRIE RESTORATION

Supporting Material for Jaksetic paper

Researcher Highlight:

Nathan Jaksetic

My name is Nathan Jaksetic, and I was a researcher at the Free State Prairie site from 2014-2016. I got involved after I began my Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Wildlife, and Ecosystem Health at the University of Edinburgh. My research at the site was used as the basis for my Master’s thesis. My research helped initially establish the prairie, and it studied the establishment of the native species and their effect on non-native species.

I very much enjoyed my time at the prairie. It was fulfilling to know that the work being done there has larger implications with regard to spreading the word of conservation. Getting to spend time in and with nature is a soothing experience, and to be a part of something that is trying to ensure that nature can be enjoyed by future generations is very rewarding.