The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that late growing-season fire causes a short-term increase in frequency and species richness of subdominant and rare species in a warm-season tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The study area was located in Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area in the Grand Prairie Division of northeastern Illinois within the 3-ha Prairie Grove which was planted in 1976. Twelve 10 x 10-m plots were arranged in a 3 x 4 grid and separated by a 10-m mowed fire lane. Spring and summer burns were systematically induced in a checkerboard pattern across the grid during late April and early September 1997; flame height and percent consumption were recorded. Vegetation sampling was conducted in 1996 and 1998 (one year before and after the burn).
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.