8.0 PRSR 03-09-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Trees are scattered or in scattered clumps,with total cover< 70%and typically 25-50%. Bur oak is most common,but northern pin oak is also usually present. The exotic grasses Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis) are often problematic in UPs24. Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica var.pensylvanica),a native graminoid that is naturally a minor component of UPs24,increases in abundance with prolonged heavy grazing. With fire suppression,trees other than the oaks become established, especially green ash, quaking aspen, and basswood." Southern Mesic Prairie-UPs23 This community type will occur in what is currently the old hayfield unit,and will transition into the existing grassland units.UPs23 will occur on roughly 3 acres. Restoration will commence in the second fall with prep work and seeding of the entire unit. Establishment mows will occur in the first and second growing seasons, with a prescribed burn in the third. Once these prairie areas are established,long term maintenance will include spot treatment of herbaceous invaders,rotating prescribed burns and interseeding. According to the DNR: "Southern mesic prairies are grass-dominated but forb-rich herbaceous communities on somewhat poorly drained to well-drained loam soils mainly formed in unsorted glacial till,sometimes in a thin loess layer over till,and locally in lacustrine sediments and outwash deposits. Communities in this class occur primarily on level to gently rolling sites. Drought stress is irregular in occurrence and usually not severe. Graminoid cover is usually continuous (75-100%).Tallgrasses dominate,but several midheight grasses are also important. Species composition is fairly uniform, although relative abundances shift across the moisture gradient within the community. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) are the dominant tallgrasses,with prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) either a codominant or subdominant component. On the drier end of the gradient, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), porcupine grass (Stipa spartea),and side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) are important. On moister sites, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) may be common,and prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) is usually present. Leiberg's panic grass (Panicum leibergii) is distinctive, although usually minor in terms of cover. Forb cover is sparse to patchy(5-50%). Forb species composition also responds to moisture.A number of species are common across the moisture gradient, including heart-leaved alexanders (Zizia aptera),heath aster(Aster ericoides), stiff and Canada goldenrods (Solidago rigida and S.canadensis), Friends of the Mississippi River Bailey Point Nature Preserve NRMP 49