02359nas a2200181 4500008004100000245008800041210006900129300000900198490000700207520178200214100001801996700001702014700001802031700001602049700002102065700001802086856007302104 2015 eng d00aPatch-burn grazing effects on the ecological integrity of tallgrass prairie streams0 aPatchburn grazing effects on the ecological integrity of tallgra a11480 v443 a

Conversion to agriculture, habitat fragmentation, and the loss of native grazers have made tallgrass prairie one of the most endangered ecosystems. One management option for the remaining prairie parcels, patch-burn grazing (PBG), applies a controlled burn to a portion of the prairie to attract cattle, creating a mosaic of more- and less-grazed patches. Although beneficial to cattle and grassland birds, the potential impacts of PBG on streams have not been studied, and a holistic approach is needed to ensure against adverse effects. We used a Before-After-Control-Impact design to assess potential impacts of PBG with and without riparian protection on tallgrass prairie headwater streams. We sampled stream macroinvertebrates and benthic organic matter 2 yr before and 2 yr during PBG treatments on two grazed watersheds with riparian fencing (fenced), two unfenced grazed watersheds (unfenced), and two ungrazed (control) watersheds. Very fine benthic organic matter increased significantly (51%) in unfenced streams compared with controls ( < 0.007), and fine particulate organic matter (<1 mm and >250 µm) increased 3-fold in the unfenced streams compared with controls ( = 0.008). The contribution of fine inorganic sediments to total substrata increased 28% in unfenced streams during PBG, which was significantly different from controls ( = 0.03). Additionally, the abundance of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa decreased from 7635 to 687 individuals m in unfenced streams, which was significantly lower than in control streams ( = 0.008). Our results indicate that PBG adversely influences prairie streams through sediment inputs and reductions in sensitive invertebrate taxa, but riparian fencing can alleviate these impacts.

1 aJackson, K.E.1 aWhiles, M.R.1 aDodds, W., K.1 aReeve, J.D.1 aVandermyde, J.M.1 aRantala, H.M. uhttps://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/44/4/114802265nas a2200169 4500008004100000245007800041210006900119300001300188490000700201520172700208100001701935700001801952700001801970700001701988700001802005856007202023 2013 eng d00aEcosystem characteristics of remnant, headwater tallgrass prairie streams0 aEcosystem characteristics of remnant headwater tallgrass prairie a239 -2490 v423 a

North America has lost >95% of its native tallgrass prairie due to land conversion, making prairie streams one of the most endangered ecosystems. Research on the basic ecosystem characteristics of the remaining natural prairie streams will inform conservation and management. We examined the structure and function of headwater streams draining tallgrass prairie tracts at Osage Prairie in Missouri and the Konza Prairie Biological Station in Kansas and compared those values with literature values for streams draining agricultural watersheds in the region. We quantified physicochemical and biological characteristics for 2 yr. Streams at Osage and Konza were characterized by low nutrients and low suspended sediments (substantially lower than impacted sites in the region), slight heterotrophic status, and high temporal variability. Suspended sediments and nutrient concentrations were generally low in all prairie streams, but storms increased concentrations of both by 3- to 12-fold. Spring prescribed burns were followed by a slight increase in chlorophyll a and decreased nutrients, potentially due to greater light availability. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities at Osage showed seasonal patterns that were probably linked to variable hydrology. We found nine amphibian species using the Osage streams as habitat or breeding sites, but little usage at Konza was probably due to dry conditions and low discharge. Our study indicates that two remnant tallgrass prairie streams along a longitudinal gradient are fairly similar in terms of physicochemical features and have good water quality relative to agricultural watersheds but can differ considerably in macroinvertebrate and amphibian abundance.

1 aLarson, D.M.1 aDodds, W., K.1 aJackson, K.E.1 aWhiles, M.R.1 aWinders, K.R. uhttps://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/42/1/23902614nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012800041210006900169260004900238490001400287520209900301100001802400700001702418856004502435 2013 eng d00aInfluences of patch-burn grazing and riparian protection on the ecological integrity of tallgrass prairie headwater streams0 aInfluences of patchburn grazing and riparian protection on the e aCarbondale, ILbSouthern Illinois University0 vMS Thesis3 a

Conversion to agriculture, land fragmentation, and removal of native grazers have made tallgrass prairies and the streams that drain them one of the most imperiled systems on earth. Patch-burn grazing (PBG), an increasingly common management practice on remaining prairie parcels, has been shown to benefit cattle and grassland birds. However, potential influences of this practice on streams are unknown. To address this, we sampled stream macroinvertebrates and benthic organic matter two years before and three years during PBG on two watersheds with riparian fencing (fenced), two grazed watersheds without riparian fencing (unfenced), and two ungrazed (control) watersheds. Very fine benthic organic matter increased 51% in unfenced watersheds after implementation of PBG, accompanied by a threefold increase in fine organic sediments in the same watersheds. Contribution of fine inorganic sediments to total substrata increased 28% in unfenced watersheds during PBG, while fine inorganic sediments decreased in both the control (18%) and fenced (16%) watersheds. Increases in the contribution of Chironomidae to total macroinvertebrate abundance (18% before, 49% during PBG) and biomass (10% before, 19% during PBG) were evident in unfenced streams. In contrast, abundance of sensitive EPT taxa decreased an order of magnitude from 7,635 to 687 individuals m-2 in unfenced streams, but did not change in fenced and control streams. Increases in tolerant taxa and fine organic and inorganic sediments, along with reductions in metrics of biotic integrity, suggest PBG adversely impacts prairie streams. However, the absence of negative responses in fenced watersheds indicates that riparian fencing can mitigate these impacts by serving as a buffer to prevent excess sedimentation. In order to properly manage remaining tallgrass prairie parcels, it is important to consider both the aquatic and terrestrial components of these systems, as they are tightly linked. Results from this study provide a basis for management and policy decisions regarding remaining grassland watersheds.

1 aJackson, K.E.1 aWhiles, M.R. uhttp://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1345/