When a species is already present at a site, one point against augmenting with outside genetic material is that it may dilute and destroy genetic features of the existing species, which allowed it to adapt to that site (outbreeding depression). Reasons for supplementing an already existing species include restoring a declining species, especially if there is a lack of seeds/genetic material from the existing individuals.

ADJACENT LAND MANAGEMENT

1)Inventory, create a plan, and follow guidelines as discussed in "GENERAL MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES."

2)Enhance the native, natural qualities of the prairie.

3)Create a native buffer zone using locally derived, soil and site specific species (i.e. dry sandy species for dry sandy soil).

4)Increase the diversity of habitats in appropriate sites. This practice will allow survival of marginal species that require mixed habitats.

5)Enhance habitats for locally rare or extirpated species.

6)Remove unnatural features.

7)Revive degraded areas unless the degraded condition promotes unusual species. If the land has not been tilled or otherwise significantly impacted, native vegetation will often return with management. If, after several years of management, native vegetation doesn't return, then reconstruction of site specific prairie or savanna vegetation and animals may be considered.

8)Prevent runoff or drift of soil, weeds, pesticides, and airborne pollutants onto the prairie.

9)Do not plant alien, invasive species such as crown-vetch, purple loosestrife, sweet clover, birdfoot trefoil, pampas grass, etc.

CHALLENGE:

DYNAMIC COMMUNITIES

   Special management is needed for species that thrive in a mobile community such as the woodland/savanna/prairie edge or a transient community such as that which would thrive in a trampled mammal path.

   Mobile communities are moving from year to year depending on the fire, grazing, weather and other physical pressure that controls their presence. For example, the purple milkweed may thrive on the leading edge of the savanna along with the dogwood and sumac. Nearby, the showy orchis is growing under the advancing May apples and oaks in a semi-closed savanna. The management challenge in these cases is to create and maintain an appropriately staged mobile woodland/prairie edge for such species. Community motion can be created by allowing savanna vegetation to creep gradually onto the prairie. Alternatively, this community junction can be maintained in steady state by cutting woody vegetation and allowing regrowth at the same site.

   Examples of transient environments include compaction and disruption from deer paths, mammal wallows, mammal burrows, and mammal foraging and rubbing. Such impacts may explain why Great Plains ladies tresses are sparse on one high quality minimally impacted prairie, while they thrive in an adjacent (mechanically made) road ditch. We need to allow for various influences in the management of prairies, so as to allow the survival of species requiring such various influences. At the same time we need to avoid excessive treatment to allow survival of species harmed by such treatment.

The author wishes to thank the many prairie enthusiasts  who have contributed to this guide.

For copies, please contact
The Iowa Prairie Network
1800 Grand Ave Apt 43
West Des Moines, Ia  50265