Expanding Planter Boxes Plant Biology EMPACTS Project Dr. Burnetta Hinterthuer, Instructor
Team Members Alma Sanchez Trevor Robinson Jeffery Longoria Zack Marsh Baker s Prairie, NW Arkansas
Project Introduction The Nature Area of NWACC was once a native prairie. There are ongoing native species projects in the Nature Area of the NWACC property. Our team will expand on the Spring 2010, EMPACTS Plant Biology Project, where planter boxes of native species were planted to assist in native prairie restoration.
We expanded planter box #1 in the NWACC Nature Area.
The previous area was only an 8ft x 8ft planter box. We expanded the dimensions of the box to 24ft x 16ft.
The box contained several types of prairie grass that is native to Northwest Arkansas.
Project Overview and Community Aspect This larger planter box will add to the natural ecosystems in the area. It will create an aesthetically pleasing area for visitors. It will also help to educate people by teaching them the names of native prairie grasses and wildflowers.
Curriculum Objectives We learned basic taxonomy and ecology of the types of grasses and wildflowers we planted. We developed environmental consciousness and learned to explore issues on our own. We used scientific method to perform our experiment. We used both traditional and electronic resources to research information.
Expanding area beyond original 8 x 8 planter box
Experiment (Methods) We built around the current box leaving the contents in it undisturbed. We then established a control area and an experiment area. We did nothing to the control area. We want to observe if the grass can spread and seed itself. In the experiment area we tilled up the soil and planted prairie grass and wildflower seed.
Equipment Used Surveying Tape Tape Measure Wheelbarrow Shovels Rakes Tiller Seed Spreader Aerator Daubenmire Frame Grass and Wildflower Seeds Straw GPS ph Meter ph Strips Camera Internet
Time Line 9/22- Tilled up experiment side. 9/29- Took soil samples from control and experiment side. Performed a baseline plot sample test. 10/4- Finished weeding experiment side. 10/18- Planted prairie grass and wildflower seed mix. 10/30- Planted specifically ordered wildflower seeds and winterized the planter box by putting down straw.
Grass and Wildflower Mix We obtained a list of the species in the mix from: Joe Woolbright He works for the Ozark Ecological Restoration Inc.
Types of Species Grass Flowers Little Bluestem Big Bluestem Sand Bluestem Indiangrass Switchgrass Sideoats Grama Blue Grama Buffalograss Tall Drop Virginia Wildrye Eastern Gama Tall Wheatgrass Wild Indigo Partridge Pea Prairie Coneflower Black Eyed Susan Lanceleaf Corepsis Roundhead Lespedeza Greyhead Coneflower Lead Plant White Prairie Clover Purple Prairie Clover
Aerating and Planting Seed
Coreopsis Dicot Duration: Annual Size Class: 1-3 ft. Bloom Color: Yellow, Brown Bloom Time: Apr, May, Jun Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Roadsides Light Requirement: Sun, Part Shade Soil Description: Prefers moist, sandy soil.
Scientific Name: Allium stellatum Monocot Height: 8-12 inches Moisture: dry to average Lifespan: perennial Natural Habitat(s):Prairie and Meadows Light Requirements: They like full sun to partial shade. Fall Glade Onion This plant attracts butterflies. This plant is used medicinally for coughs, colds, and fevers.
Wild Hyacinth Scientific Name:Camassia scilloides Monocot Duration: Perennial Size Class: 15-30 in Bloom Color: Pale Purple Bloom Time: Apr- May Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Roadsides Light Requirement: Sun, Part Shade Soil Description: dry, average
Prairie Blazing Star Scientific Name: Liatris pycnostachya Dicot Blooms: July and August Color: Purple Height: 30 60 inches Light Requirements: Sunny Moisture: Dry to moist Lifespan: Perennial The flower is a magnet for butterfly s This was used medicinally to treat snakebites.
Soil Ph Testing Ph Meter Ph Testing Strips
ph Testing We took a total of 6 samples. 3 from each side. Then we combined the samples from each side. The next step was mixing a small sample of each with distilled water. We then performed a ph strip test on both. After we calibrated the ph meter using a 7 ph buffer and set the right water temperature. We tested both samples.
ph levels Soil Sample ph Results 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Strip Test ph Meter Sample 1 (Experiment) 6 7.5 Sample 2 (Control) 6 7.66
DAUBENMIRE METHOD TEST The Daubenmire method consists of placing a frame along a tape on permanently located area. We performed two tests at random locations. We used the tool pictured which is 57 cm x 29 cm. Then collected data from the species inside the rectangle.
Daubenmire Method Results Test 1 GPS(N36 21.759) (W094, 10.430) Species Results Bermuda 85% Plantago 8% Fescue 3% Crab Grass 2% Carpet Weed 2% Test 2 GPS( N36, 21.761) (W094, 10.432) Species Results Fescue 20% Crab Grass 20% Bermuda 5% Bare Soil 55%
Daubenmire Method Results
Daubenmire Method Results
Team Effort Division of Labor Alma- was our organizational expert. She kept up with all project information. Trevor- was our writer. He was in charge of all the final touches on the whole project. Jeff-was the head researcher of the group. He was in charge of obtaining information on all the plants that will be used in the project. Everyone participated with the general labor.
Expected Outcomes We are expecting the experiment area to flourish by the Spring. We hope that by expanding the planter box, we can increase the amount of native prairie grasses and wildflowers in the nature area on campus.
Products of our Learning Experience Webpage on EMPACTS website Final Power Point Presentation Photo Gallery Report of Experimental Results ph testing Daubenmire Method
Final Project This is how we left the experiment, we will not know the actual results of our experiment until next year!
References http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=coti3 http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant =COTI3 http://nativeplants.evergreen.ca/search/viewplant.php?id=00044 http://easywildflowers.com/quality/all.stell.htm http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant =LIPY http://www.mowildflowers.net/
Acknowledgement The groups work from Spring Semester 2010 Joe Woolbright Mike Willard Burnetta Hintethuer