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<br />It is important to note that plantings of prairie species, typically referred to as "prairie <br />restorations" are invariably less species rich than native prairie remnants, mimic only a <br />small fraction of the function of a remnant prairie, and are ohen fraught with exotic <br />weed species such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky blue grass (Poa <br />pratensis) among others. These prairie plantings are typically dominated by a handful <br />of native grasses, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardil), switchgrass (Panicum <br />virgatum), and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), with little blue stem (Schizachyrium <br />scoparium) seldom used. <br /> <br />Mesic prairie is a dry-mesic to wet-mesic grassland that occurs mainly in the prairie <br />zone in southern and western Minnesota and sporadically in the deciduous forest- <br />woodland zone. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardil), Indian grass (Sorghastrum <br />nutans), and prairie drop seed (Sporobolus heterolepis) are the major native species <br />on most sites, with little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and porcupine grass <br />(Stipa spartea) important on drier sites, and prairie cord grass (Spartina pectinata) and <br />to a lesser degree switch grass (Panicum virgatum) more common on wetter sites. <br /> <br />Forb species composition <br />varies with site moisture, <br />although some forb species <br />occur on almost all sites, <br />moist or dry. Several low <br />shrub or sub-shrub species <br />are common on Upland <br />Prairie; the most <br />characteristic is leadplant <br />(Amorpha canescens). Taller <br />brush and trees are absent <br />or scattered, however brush <br />or woodland areas may be <br />interspersed with prairie, <br />usually in association with <br />topographic and aquatic features that provide protection from fire. <br /> <br /> <br />Hayden Prairie State Preserve, Howard County, Iowa shows an example <br />of a mesic prairie similar to what may have historically occurred in the <br />study area. (photo: Paul Bockenstedt 1990) <br /> <br />The most important cause of variation in species composition in prairie communities is <br />variation in soil moisture. The local soil moisture regime is determined by slope, <br /> <br />City of Elk River, MN - Natural Resouce Inventory <br />Bonestroo Natural Resources, September 2004 <br /> <br />34 <br />