Degree Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2008
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Major
Sustainable Agriculture
First Advisor
David M. Engle
Abstract
Soil resources, patterns of disturbance, and invasion by exotic species interact to affect the composition of vegetation communities in working rangeland landscapes. We use an NMDS ordination technique to describe the variation among tallgrass prairie communities in terms of soil organic carbon concentrations, grazing history, and the extent of invasion by tall fescue. We also describe how restoration of the fire-grazing interaction -- the single disturbance effected by grazers following spatially discreet fire events -- can control invasive species and rehabilitate ecosystem processes and function.
Copyright Owner
Devan Allen Mcgranahan
Copyright Date
2008
Language
en
Date Available
2012-04-30
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
61 pages
Recommended Citation
Mcgranahan, Devan Allen, "Degradation and restoration in remnant tallgrass prairie: Grazing history, soil carbon, and invasive species affect community composition and response to the fire-grazing interaction" (2008). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 11173.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/11173
