The Application of Prescribed Fire and Herbicide to Reduce Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) Cover at the Newaygo Prairies Research Natural Area, Manistee National Forest, Michigan

摘要

S and prairie is part of Michigan's historic oak-pine barrens ecosystem and once covered approximately 5,000 hectares in northern Lower Michigan in the early to mid-1800s. Dominant plant species include Pennsylva nia sedge (Carex pensylvanica), little bluestem (Schizachy- rium scoparium), and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). Unfortunately, sand prairie has been largely eliminated due to agriculture, reforestation, and fire suppression. Today, approximately 4% of the original extent of sand prairie remains in the state (Kost 2004, Cohen et al. 2015). Similarly, species that depend on these ecosystems such as the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) have also suffered considerable losses (USFWS 1992). Fire suppression has allowed Pennsylvania sedge to dominate the understory of degraded oak-pine barrens and sand prairies and represents a major obstacle for restoration of these areas (Abrams et al. 1985, Nielsen et al. 2003).