Species composition, distribution, and phytosociology of Kalsow Prairie, a mesic tall-grass prairie in Iowa

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Species composition, distribution, and phytosociology of an 8 hectare area of tall grass prairie was intensively studied. Elevation and soils data were correlated with species distribution patterns. All species showed a response. Nine general patterns of distribution were observed in relation to elevation and soil types. Ordination and interspecific association analyses were used to identify clusters or groups of species having similar ecological amplitudes. Sporobolis heterolepis is the dominant plant of the upland prairie. The vegetation of the prairie is best described and represented by the continuum concepts of phytosociology.