Blackland Prairie Restoration
UWA Campus
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Blackland Prairie Restoration UWA Campus |
| The area of west-central Alabama where the UWA campus is was once a thriving prairie ecosystem. The historical blackland prairie of this region is significant as a biodiversity shelter. Many plants and animals with narrow ranges of environmental requirements make their home in blackland prairie. Through a generous grant from the Alabama Wildflower Society and the Sumter County Nature Trust a project to restore a native blackland prairie ecosystem has been started on the UWA campus. |
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Once a proposal was developed, the restoration area was inspected for native plants that may still be present. Seed has been collected from these native species for use in the restoration project. Additionally, outside seed sources have been located for purchase of seeds unavailable in the restoration area. |
| Regular fire (every year or two) is a critical component of prairie ecology. The species diversity of blackland prairie is dependant upon the restoration of this natural disturbance regime. The restoration area was burned during spring 2004 to prepare for the first year of restoration work. |
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| A group of fearless
UWA students assisted in the burn, learning about fire ecology and the
procedures involved in a prescribed burn.
The major focus of the first year of the project will be to establish native species that are absent from the area and to refine methods of seed collection and distribution. |
Burn Crew Included: (From left to right) JoAnn Mitchell, Daneen Sampson, Paul Stokes, Robby Limerick (research leader), Ross Perry, Cole Reagin, Teresa Scott, and Leslie Brumleve. |
Check back for additions when spring growth begins.
Many thanks go to Mark Pastorek and Pastorek Landscape, Inc. of Carriere, MS for assistance during the early phase of this project.
For information about this project contact Robby Limerick or Dr. Wymer.
