Category Archives: Conservation

1838-2018

Posted on September 16, 2018 by prairiebotanist

A few years ago I was part of a team doing an environmental assessment for a local road project.  When I saw these giant bur oaks (all around four-and-a-half feet diameter at breast height), I knew I’d be among the … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Conservation, Forests, Oak opening, oaks, Savanna, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Conserve Plant Diversity First

Posted on January 6, 2017 by prairiebotanist

At least that’s the message I take from a recent study published in Nature Communications entitled Ecological networks are more sensitive to plant than to animal extinction under climate change. In particular they found a higher risk of animal co-extinction with … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Conservation, native plants, Weather and Climate | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ecotype – Problematic Concept in a Changing World

Posted on February 28, 2016 by prairiebotanist

For those reasons, “local is best” is the mantra, if not the dogma, of many in the conservation and restoration community. It’s a cautious and logical approach. However, in recognition of the altered and changing world we live in and recognizing that ecological restoration and reconstruction projects are essentially the only way many species can move across today’s fragmented landscape, I would urge people to be a little more liberal in how they apply the ecotype concept. Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, gardening, native plants, Phenology, Prairie, restoration, Savanna, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments