Publication Date

1985

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Sorensen, Paul D.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Pasture ecology--Illinois; Prairie ecology--Illinois; Botany--Illinois

Abstract

Few researchers have examined the communities and ecology of disturbed grasslands, but many have studied native remnants. Disturbed grasslands abound, however, and warrant greater attention. The vegetation of a former pasture in northern Illinois was examined to decide whether the discrete or continuum community model was more applicable. Quantitative plant data, gathered according to the line-intercept method, were analyzed employing the multivariate classification TWINSPAN and the ordination Detrended Correspondance Analysis. Floristic records and soil data enhanced the community analysis. Both the ordination and classification revealed five discrete community types. Poa pratensis/Phleum pratense, Aqropyron repens, Phalaris arundinacea, Carex stricta, and Sagittaria latifolia dominate the five community types, respectively. The important environmental factors influencing these communities were moisture and flood regimes. Ideas for future management and research are suggested.

Extent

103 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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