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The
Keith White Prairie was developed in 1973 and now covers eight and one
half acres of the arborteum. It is maintained through periodic prescribed
burns that mimic natural fire disturbances. This regular burning hinders
the growth of woody species and favors the grasses and forbes characteristic
of this community. Dominant grasses include Big bluestem, Indian grass
and Switch grass. Different flowering forbes become evident throughout
the growing season, a pattern often called "sequential blooming".
Some of the flower species include yellow cone flower, prairie dock, lupine,
black-eyed Susan, spiderwort, and false indigo. Indeed, multiple trips
to the prairie will soon reward the observer with a colorful progression
through the seasons. As you travel through the prairie watch for
insect pollinators like butterflies and bees cruising the vegetation for
flowerheads promising nectar, also watch for predatory spiders hiden amongst
these plants waiting to catch a meal.
Since the late 1970s the lands of the
Keith White Prairie on the north end of campus
have been subject to annual fire management
to reduce woody species in favor of grasses and discourage invasion of exotic
species. The site(s) chosen for burning differ each year depending on soil
moisture and temperature and on vegetation moisture level. The entire prairie
is never burned in any given year, but small sections are burned on 2 to
5 year cycle. Date of burning also varies yearly from mid-April to mid-May
depending on weather conditions. Ideal conditions are moderately dry with
little wind. The burn must take place before the perrenial prairie grasses
and forbes have begun to grow, but after the annual weedy grasses have sprouted
to be effective. Students gain real life experience
in in prairie management as they help Arboretum staff and local firefighters
set and contain the blaze as it burns.Biodiversity Topics: Introduction . Plants . Animals . Mammals . Birds . Reptiles & Amphibians . Arthropods . Spiders . Insects
© 2001-2004 The Cofrin Center
for Biodiversity and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay,
All Rights Reserved
Last
updated on
January 12, 2006