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1. Patterns of genetic variation in a prairie wildflower, Silphium integrifolium , suggest a non‐prairie origin and locally adaptive variation

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1603  

   Raduski, Andrew R. ; Herman, Adam ; Pogoda, Cloe ; Dorn, Kevin M. ; Van Tassel, David L. ; Kane, Nolan ; Brandvain, Yaniv ( January 2021 , American Journal of Botany)

   Understanding the relationship between genetic structure and geography provides information about a species’ history and can be used for breeding and conservation goals. The North American prairie is interesting because of its recent origin and subsequent fragmentation.Silphium integrifolium, an iconic perennial American prairie wildflower, is targeted for domestication, having undergone a few generations of improvement. We present the first application of population genetic data in this species to address the following goals: (1) improve breeding by characterizing genetic structure and (2) identify the species geographic origin and potential targets and drivers of selection during range expansion.

   We developed a reference transcriptome as a genotyping reference for samples from throughout the species range. Population genetic analyses were used to describe patterns of genetic variation, and demographic modeling was used to characterize potential processes that shaped variation. Outlier scans for selection and associations with environmental variables were used to identify loci linked to putative targets and drivers of selection.

   Genetic variation partitioned samples into three geographic clusters. Patterns of variation and demographic modeling suggest that the species origin is in the American Southeast. Breeding program accessions are from the region with lowest observed genetic variation.

   This prairie species did not originate within the prairie. Breeding may be improved by including accessions from outside of the germplasm founding region. The geographic structuring and the identified targets and drivers of adaptation can guide collecting efforts toward populations with beneficial agronomic traits.

    

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2. WES01 Woody encroachment impacts on the subsurface at Konza Prairie

   https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/6908c1e269ee365b3e0ef99c80411a13  

   Sullivan, Pamela ( October 2023 , Environmental Data Initiative)

   Soil sampling pits across three hillslope positions - toeslope, backslope, and summit - were dug in 2020 in watershed N4D (burned every 4 years) and N1D (burned annually) to characterize the impacts of woody encroachment on subsurface soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Pits were hand-dug to 120 cm in the toeslope position and to 60 cm deep at the backslope and summit positions. Soil pits in N4D were dug directly under dogwood shrubs (Cornus drumondii) while pits in N1B were dug under grasses and forbs. Soil pit faces were photographed to determine root fractions with depth,  soil monoliths were take to charaterize soil macroporosity with depth while soil cores were taken in each horizon for water retention analysis.  Soil sensors were also installed at four soil depths at the toeslope position and 3 soil depths at the backslope and summit positions to record half hourly soil moisture, soil temperature, soil water potential, soil electrical conductivity, and soil carbon dioxide, and soil oxygen. In addition, geophysical measurements were taken in N4D using time-lapse electrical resistivity. 

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3. Gunnison's Prairie Dog Restoration Experiment (GPDREx): Vegetation Cover Data from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2011-2016)

   https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/696c2d207b59556dd39d44eb656dda23  

   Baker, Stephanie ; Davidson, Ana ( January 2021 , Environmental Data Initiative)

   Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) are burrowing rodents considered to be ecosystem engineers and keystone species of the central grasslands of North America. Yet, prairie dog populations have declined by an estimated 98% throughout their historic range. This dramatic decline has resulted in the widespread loss of their important ecological role throughout this grassland system. The 92,060 ha Sevilleta NWR in central New Mexico includes more than 54,000 ha of native grassland. Gunnison's prairie dogs (C. gunnisoni) were reported to occupy ~15,000 ha of what is now the SNWR during the 1960's, prior to their systematic eradication. In 2010, we collaborated with local agencies and conservation organizations to restore the functional role of prairie dogs to the grassland system. Gunnison's prairie dogs were reintroduced to a site that was occupied by prairie dogs 40 years ago. This work is part of a larger, long-term study where we are studying the ecological effects of prairie dogs as they re-colonize the grassland ecosystem. 

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4. Impacts of Riparian and Non-riparian Woody Encroachment on Tallgrass Prairie Ecohydrology

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-022-00756-7  

   Keen, Rachel M. ; Nippert, Jesse B. ; Sullivan, Pamela L. ; Ratajczak, Zak ; Ritchey, Brynn ; O’Keefe, Kimberly ; Dodds, Walter K. ( January 2022 , Ecosystems)
5. How and why grasshopper community maturation rates are slowing on a North American tall grass prairie

   https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2021.0510  

   Kaspari, Michael ; Joern, Anthony ; Welti, Ellen A. ( January 2022 , Biology Letters)

   Invertebrate growth rates have been changing in the Anthropocene. We examine rates of seasonal maturation in a grasshopper community that has been declining annually greater than 2% a year over 34 years. As this grassland has experienced a 1°C increase in temperature, higher plant biomass and lower nutrient densities, the community is maturing more slowly. Community maturation had a nutritional component: declining in years/watersheds with lower plant nitrogen. The effects of fire frequency were consistent with effects of plant nitrogen. Principal components analysis also suggests associated changes in species composition—declines in the densities of grass feeders were associated with declines in community maturation rates. We conclude that slowed maturation rates—a trend counteracted by frequent burning—likely contribute to long-term decline of this dominant herbivore. 

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