Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1993

Thesis Director

John E. Ebinger

Abstract

This study involved pre-burn and post-burn inventories of herbaceous and woody vegetation, a post-burn tree survival survey, the development and implementation of a management plan for the savanna restoration site and the development of general guidelines for savanna restoration. An herbarium collection was made, 242 species representing 64 families were found on the site.

There were several significant changes in the density and frequency of vegetation after the burn. The following herbaceous species increased significantly in frequency: Agalinis tenuifolia (Vahl.) Raf, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Carex spp., Cassia fasciculata Michx., Desmodium glabellum (Michx.) DC., Dichanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould & Clark var.fasciculatum (Torr.) Freckm., Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Salisb., Lespedeza virginica (L.) Britt., Potentilla simplex Michx., Solidago juncea Ait., Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash., and Trifolium pratense L. Five herbaceous species decreased significantly in frequency: Dactylis glomerata L., Dianthus armeria L., Eupatorium serotinum Michx., Hypericum punctatum Lam., and Oenothera biennis L. Two shrubs increased significantly in frequency: Rubus allegheniensis Porter and Rubus flagellaris Willd. One tree seedling significantly decreased in frequency, Juglans nigra L, while two decreased significantly in density, Juglans nigra and Prunus serotina Ehrh. There was one significant increase in tree seedling density: Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees. One tree sapling decreased significantly in frequency, Prunus serotina, while two significantly decreased in density, Prunus serotina and Juglans nigra.

Eight species were included in the post-burn tree survival survey. Individuals of the following species ≥ 3 m tall were fire resistant: Quercus alba L., Q. imbricaria Michx., Q. rubra L. / velutina Lam., Juglans nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera L. and Liquidambar styraciflua L. Quercus macrocarpa Michx. was fire resistant when > 1 m tall. For all Quercus spp., individuals that were top-killed exhibited good resprouting ability.

Two management plans were written. One is specifically for the savanna study site at Forest Glen Preserve, Vermilion County, Illinois. The other is a set of general guidelines for restoring a savanna. The general guidelines include the following topics: site selection, herbarium collection, sampling of herbaceous and woody data using frequency and/or density data, elimination of exotic vegetation, burning, preparing seed beds, planting herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, and endangered and threatened species.

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