Ecological research is one of the central activities of PrairieU. The native prairie site is being restored and nurtured to provide a natural laboratory for the study of ecological patterns and processes in native tallgrass prairie ecosystems and to provide a protected field site for basic biological research. The native prairie site at SWROC offers several research opportunities pertaining to the process of prairie restoration, soil and water quality analysis and wildlife management.

Restoration and reseeding research

Initial research projects relate to reseeding the prairie following a burn, establishing a baseline soil survey, prairie seed harvesting and an analysis of the prairie after it has been burned.

Ultimately, the research conducted on the native prairie site will position PrairieU as a highly regarded resource for information about native prairie science and ecology. Contact SWROC to find out more about PrairieU research initiatives and get the latest information available from the program’s research scientists.