Prairie research has been a recent focus of ecological assessment and restoration efforts at LLELA. In early November 2003, through a cooperative research program with a bison rancher, we received a herd of 19 bison to reintroduce the essential process of grazing to our prairie research area. Since 1996, we have been investigating the effects of different management techniques, such as herbicide use, burning, seeding, and mowing, in prairie restoration (see our research note series, below, numbers 2 and 6-8).

In collaboration with Texas A & M University, LLELA is studying the effects of burning, grazing, and the interaction between burning and grazing on the establishment of native grasses. In a separate project, we are analyzing the effects of a liquid biological extract (sort of a compost tea) on the germination of prairie grass seedlings.