Some views by our neighbor to the west.
Last week, I took some photos that powerfully demonstrate the importance of plant diversity.
Research plots at The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies.
Several years ago, we created some research plots to help us learn more about how plant diversity interacts with ecosystem function. As you can see above, the plots include a grid of squares (3/4 acre in size), each planted with one of three seed mixtures: monoculture (big bluestem), low diversity (grasses and a few forbs harvested in the fall), and high diversity (100 species). Working with academic partners, we have several research projects underway, including a couple that demonstrate the influence plant diversity has on the spread of invasive plant species.
Other researchers have found similar relationships between plant diversity and resistance to invasive species, but that is only one of many benefits from having a wide variety of plants in a prairie. Both herbivores and pollinators benefit…
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Our View From Iowa 