Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

8-2013

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Eason, Perri K.

Author's Keywords

Prairie; Grassland; Arthropod

Subject

Arthropoda--Kentucky; Prairie conservation--Kentucky; Prairie ecology--Kentucky; Biodiversity--Kentucky

Abstract

Prairies are important ecological biomes that contain high biodiversity of economic and ecologically important flora and fauna. Unfortunately, despite the vast historic distribution over most of mid-America, remnant prairies are critically threatened due to urbanization and other anthropogenic activities. Therefore, measurements of richness are utilized to assess the stability and condition of remnant and restored prairies-higher richness indicating greater ecosystem stability. Arthropod abundance comprises a significant portion of the species richness found in prairies. Because of this, arthropods are an ideal group of organisms to study due to their relatively limited dispersal range and utilization of microhabitats. In this study, arthropods were collected in the summer of 2012 at four restored prairies located in Jefferson (Iroquois Park and American Synthetic Rubber Company Landfill), Nelson (Jefferson Memorial Forest), and Bullitt (Bernheim Research Forest and Arboretum) Counties of Kentucky. Comparisons of species richness for arthropods and vegetation were made between study locations. Because of low sample sizes and species dominance, no definitive relationships were determined. However, information about plant and arthropod presences were compiled for site management reference.

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