Floristic Composition of Grazed and Ungrazed Prairie Vegation in North-Central Missouri

摘要: Although ecological literature concerning prairie vegetation is voluminous, very few investigators have had an opportunity to study the native grasslands of Missouri. There are several quite different types in state. It purpose this paper report only on studies conducted prairies north-central portion, "glaciated subdivision" according Palmer and Steyermark ('35). Prairies region lie broad ecotone between oak-hickory forest Ozarks which originally extended northward into Iowa, eastward Illinois, westward adjoining states. The glades Ozarks, loessial hills northwestern Missouri, those southwestern counties each present interesting rather aspect from dealt with investigation. Some features ecology these been pointed out by ('40a) objective was primarily determine, insofar as possible, what effects grazing (and other mancontrolled processes involved domestication) may -had composition grassland northcentral excellent "virgin" 160 acres available for investigation domesticated or grazed vegetation, undomesticated ungrazed areas were not readily located. floristic synthesized that scattered relics; a variable yet unavoidable factor thereby introduced. Most relics occurred along railroad rightof-ways, some at point abandonment years. mode selection explained "methods" section. writer indebted many persons who aided him various ways: Professor W. C. Etheridge Department Field Crops, M. Tucker, Botany, University their cooperation facilitating work; Mr. Howard L. Harris, former graduate student Botany his assistance preparation report; H. Krusekopf, Soils, aid determination soil types; Tucker family Fulton, permission 160-acre historical information it; Dr. Fred J. Hermann, Division Plant Introduction Exploration, Bureau Industry, U.S.D.A., checking identification species Carex Juncus.