GVSU

Graduate Project: Restored tallgrass prairie plant composition response to fire seasonality and order in southwest Michigan

Grand Valley State University recently completed a long-term research project investigating restored tallgrass prairie plant composition response to fire seasonality and order in southwest Michigan. This study was conducted by Mary Parr, a GVSU Biology Graduate Student and Stewardship Manager at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, and Todd Aschenbach, a Professor in GVSU's Natural Resource and Environmental Management Program.

Aerial photo of burn plots during prescribed fire at Kalamazoo Nature Center

The study was conducted at Kalamazoo Nature Center and Edward Lowe Foundation from 2020-2024 and investigated four different fire treatments: the prescribed fire season (spring and late summer) and the order (repetitive or alternating season). They measured changes in plant composition, species diversity, plant phenology groups (forbs, warm season grasses, cool season grasses), and dominant plant species. They found that fire was the largest driver of plant community change, regardless of season or order of application. Species diversity increased by at least 6.5% following all fire treatments but was greatest in repetitive fire treatments of spring only (+16.3%) and late summer only (+18.3%). Forb cover increased by at least 4.1% in nearly all fire treatments, while results for warm and cool season grasses were site-specific. Although phenology groups were composed of species with similar biology, results from fire treatments were often site- and species-specific. This study revealed the complexities of tallgrass prairie plant community response to fire and the impact of site-specific variables that ultimately influence ecological outcomes. Although diversifying prescribed fire seasons and order (i.e. “pyrodiversity”) may allow fire practitioners to meet their ecological goals more effectively, it is imperative that managers closely monitor results at their particular sites.

Todd Aschenbach and Mary Parr

 Todd Aschenbach was awarded the Most Outstanding Mentor Award by the GVSU Graduate Student Association. Mary Parr was awarded – Excellence in Promoting Diversity and Inclusion, Excellence in in Responsible Conduct of Research, and Excellence in Service to the Community/Profession from the Graduate School.

For more information about the future of the project or access to Mary’s thesis document contact parrm@mail.gvsu.edu or aschenbt@gvsu.edu



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