Case Study:

The Value of Urban Prairie Restoration

Activities for the week

• You will work in a group of 3 to 4 people
• Read over each section of the case study, stop and discuss, and jot down some notes. We will have a full class discussion at the end of each of your sections.
• Wednesday: Analyze the data and interpret the results. Gain experience using excel to manipulate data.
• Group assignment: Participate in the group discussion and graphics workshop (50% of your grade)
• Individual Assignment: 1-page essay about the challenges, benefits, and costs of urban restoration (50% of your grade)
• Essay is due next Wednesday.

Part 1: Where are all the birds?

Read through Part 1 of the case study and jot down some notes with your team. Be prepared to discuss with the class.

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EDWARDS PLATEAU

• stony hills, springs, and steep canyons

Vegetation cover:

• juniper/oak woodlands
• mesquite savannah
• grasslands

Ecoregion source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

Source: TAMU

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Woody encroachment on Texas grasslands

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• Fire suppression
• Overgrazing of native grasses, thereby reducing fuel for fires
• Cattle spreads mesquite seeds

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/ranching/drivers-of-vegetation-change-in-texas-rangelands/

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Juniper can be killed by fires when plants are up to 8 yrs old.

Juniperus pinchotii

Part 2: Returning fire to the prairie

Read through Part 2 of the case study and jot down some notes with your team. Be prepared to discuss with the class.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/commonsfordpro/34869697632/

COMMONS FORD PRAIRIE RESTORATION ORGANIZATION (CFPRO) PARTNERS

40 acre tract of prairie

Unrestored reference site

KR Bluestem

Bermudagrass

Johnsongrass

Mesquite

2011: Herbicide treatment, Seed bed preparation

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commonsfordpro/

February 2012: Seeding

26 species of native prairie grasses

47 species of native prairie forbs

Prescribed fires 2013, every 2-3 years after

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commonsfordpro/

Part 3: Measuring success

Read through Part 3 of the case study and jot down some notes with your team.

T9

T8

T7

T4

T5

T1

T2

T3

T6

Part 4: Ecosystem Services

Read through Part 4 of the case study and jot down some notes with your team. Be prepared to discuss with the class.

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What are the benefits of prairie restoration?

For more information, see my website

http://amyconcilio.com/