Restoration and plant species diversity of an Eastern prairie

Abstract

A restoration project was initiated in 2007 to convert a forested section of Crowders Mountain State Park in North Carolina to a prairie ecosystem using primarily local seed material. All vascular species were identified during 4 growing seasons (2008–2011) and species richness, diversity, evenness, and guild structure were assessed. Prairie quality and community structure of the restored site were compared with 2 remnant prairie sites. Seventy-nine species were documented in the restored prairie with 66 (83%) of those being species associated with other Carolina prairie communities. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman [Poaceae]) and velvet witch grass (Dichanthelium scoparium (Lamarck) Gould [Poaceae]) had the highest cover values, while blackberry (Rubus argutus Link [Rosaceae]) and velvet witch grass had the highest frequency for the restored prairie. Species richness, diversity, and evenness were higher or not significantly different for the restored prairie compared with the 2 remnant sites. The woody, C₃ grasses, and legume guilds for the restored prairie also had species richness levels that were higher or not significantly different from the remnant sites. In addition, percent cover for the woody, C₃ grasses, and legume guilds for the restored prairie were higher or not significantly different from the remnant sites. The results of this study indicate that the restoration of a Piedmont prairie at Crowders Mountain State Park has been successful in its early establishment period.