Vegetational Map and Community Structure of a West Central Kansas Prairie

Author

Rodney K. Heitschmidt, Fort Hays Kansas State College

Department

Biology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to delineate communities cartographically within a 176 acre prairie in Trego County, Kansas. The communities were then characterized as to vegetational structure, underlying soils, and topographic position. An attempt was also made to discern causal factors influencing species distribution. Seven communities were recognized and mapped onto an aerial photograph. The communities identified were: Buchloe-Bouteloua, Buchloe-Bouteloua-Agropyron, Bouteloua, Bouteloua-Andropogon, Andropogon gerardi, Andropogon scoparius, and Kochia. The communities were found to be primarily the result of a moisture gradient established through the combined effects of topography and soils. Degrees of success varied for all species throughout the moisture gradient, thus, species with similar tolerance were aggregated into communities.

Keywords

Range management, Moisture--Measurement, Soil conservation, Prairies, Trego County (Kan.), Grasses, Botany

Advisor

Dr. Gary K. Hulett

Date of Award

Spring 1968

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

DOI

10.58809/GQEW2173

Recommended Citation

Heitschmidt, Rodney K., "Vegetational Map and Community Structure of a West Central Kansas Prairie" (1968). Master's Theses. 1170.
DOI: 10.58809/GQEW2173
Available at: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/1170

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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