Inventory of Select Groups of Arthropods of Richardson Wildlife Foundation.Annual Report for the 1996-97 Fiscal Year of the Multi-State Prairie Insect Inventory

摘要

Sampling for arthropods during the 1996-97 fiscal year focused on native andrestored prairies at Richardson Wildlife Foundation (RWF), Lee Co., Illinois. The property consists of 1,200 acres, about one-third of which are native or restored prairie, the remainders consisting of wetlands, forest, and croplands. Several remnant prairies are present ranging in size from a few square meters to several dozens of acres. Although the soil is mostly sand, the variable hydrology of the property supports a diversity of prairie types ranging from wet prairie dominated by cord grass, blue joint grass and various sedges, to mesic prairie dominated by big bluestem and indian grass, to dry sand prairie dominated by switchgrass. Heavy encroachment of willows in the wet priaires and Rubus in the drier areas has necessitated intensive restoration and management efforts. Management over the past several years has consisted largely of prescribed burning, with some prairie remnants burned annually. At our request, the property manager, Terry Moyer, agreed to leave a section of the largest native prairie unburned in 1996 and 1997.