Restoring the prairie

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Bioscience; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1311481· OSTI ID:6255360

Mlot, C

The US DOE at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, prairie restoration is taking place in order to conserve the rich topsoil. This is the largest of many prairie restoration experiments. Big bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardi), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) are the main initial grasses grown. After their growth reaches enough biomass to sustain a fire, other prairie plants such as purple prairie clover and dropseed grass appear. The goal of this is to provide a generous refuge for disappearing native plants and animals, a site for scientific research, and a storehouse of genes adapted to a region that produces much of the worlds food. Plans for restoring the marsh and oak savanna, also native to the Fermilab site are also in the works.

• OSTI ID: 6255360
• Journal Information: Bioscience; (USA), Vol. 40:11; ISSN 0006-3568
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SAVANNAS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
FERMILAB ACCELERATOR
GRASS
GROUND COVER
ILLINOIS
LAND RECLAMATION
REVEGETATION
US DOE
ACCELERATORS
CYCLIC ACCELERATORS
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION V
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
RECOVERY
SYNCHROTRONS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
540210* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)