Are we truly restoring prairies, or just planting them? Restoration efforts often focus on bringing back native plants, assuming that once the plants return, the rest of the ecosystem will follow. But is that really the case? Most restoration research uses plant communities as a measure of success, yet we know that a healthy prairie ecosystem is much more than plants. It also includes the invertebrates that pollinate plants, cycle nutrients, and provide food for animals like birds, reptiles and mammals, all with vital roles in sustaining a healthy ecosystem.

Join us for a talk with Dr. Eric Duell, postdoctoral fellow with the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, as he explores this question. In a two-year study, Eric and his team tested different prairie restoration techniques and assessed their impact on both plants and invertebrates. Using pitfall traps, they studied terrestrial invertebrate communities to determine whether different restoration methods influence which species return to a restored prairie.
 

Come learn what they discovered and what it means for the future of prairie restoration!
 

Where: KU Field Station, Armitage Education Center, 350 Wild Horse Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
 

What to bring: A mug for tea/coffee to help us reduce waste.
 

Please RSVP to Wendy (wendyholman@ku.edu) as space is limited. It also helps us plan for seating and snacks! Those interested can register for the spring walk at the here-ing labyrinth, which begins at 4 p.m. the same day near the Roth Trailhead.

Science Sundays talks cover a variety of science topics, including research happening at the KU Field Station. Talks are free and open to everyone, but may not interest younger audiences. These talks are intended for members of the general public who want to learn more about science. You do not have to be a scientist to attend!

The KU Field Station is managed by the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.