Research Projects
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Research Projects 2023
How Does Vitamin B1 Influence Harmful Algal Blooms and Lake Toxicity?
Rebecca L. North, Research Projects 2023
Principal Investigator: Fatima Laraib, Ph.D. Student; Dr. Rebecca L North, Institution and/or Affiliation: School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal directly aligns with the long-term goals of PFCA through the development of an outdoor aquatic laboratory that advances science and engages undergraduate...
From Prairie to Stream: An Assessment of Stream Bank Erosion and Riparian Biogeochemistry
Morgan Davis, Research Projects 2023
Principal Investigator: Dr. Morgan Davis Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The aim of this proposal is to execute a project focused on stream bank erosion that integrates the research, education, and management goals of Prairie Fork Conservation Area (PFCA). Our overall objective is to complete a...
Continued Evaluation of Restoration and Reconstruction Techniques in a Gradient of Natural Communities in Missouri
Benjamin O. Knapp, Research Projects 2023
Principal Investigator: Dr. Benjamin O. Knapp Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri PROJECT DESCRIPTION:The proposed project addresses management questions related to the restoration and/or reconstruction of prairie, savanna, and woodland natural communities. This project will build off the work initiated in ‘Evaluation of...
Research Projects 2022
Prairie Restoration Effects on Prevalence of Disease Vectors
Research Projects 2022, Saminqueka Halsey
Principal Investigator: Dr. Samniqueka Halsey Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Our overall research objective at PFCA is to understand how time since restoration and fire regimes influence the presence of small mammals and ticks that are of public health significance. In particular, for several tick...
Detection and Characteristics of Ehrlichia and Rickettsia in Callaway County, Missouri
Jaylon Vaughn, Research Projects 2022, Saminqueka Halsey
Principal Investigators: Dr. Saminqueka Halsey, Mr. Jaylon Vaughn Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri PROJECT DESCRIPTION:This project addresses the long-term goals of PFCA by seeking to understand how management actions aimed at re-establishing and maintaining the natural prairie and woodland community can affect disease...
Comparing Prairie Reconstruction Chronosequences to Remnants Following Two Site Preparation Methods in Missouri, USA
Chris Newbold, Lauren Pile, Research Projects 2022
Principal Investigators: Chris Newbold, Dr. Benjamin O. Knapp, Dr. Lauren S. Pile Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Prairie reconstruction has become a common method for reestablishing tallgrass prairie communities in the central United States. With the objective of creating plant communities that...
Research Projects 2021
Soil Health in Remnant and Restored Prairies in Tall Grass Regions of Missouri
Lauren Sullivan, Research Projects 2021, Stephen Anderson
Principle Investigators: Dr. Steve Anderson, Samuel Lord (University of Missouri graduate student), Dr. Kristen Veum (USDA – ARS), Dr. Lauren Sullivan (University of Missouri) Project Description: The overall objective of this research is to improve our understanding of factors influencing the restoration trajectory and restoration potential of...
The Role of Temporal Dispersal Patterns in Building Diverse Tallgrass Prairie Plant Communities
Katherine Wynne, Lauren Sullivan, Research Projects 2021
Principal Investigators: Katherine Wynne, Dr. Lauren Sullivan Institution and/or Affiliation: The University of Missouri, Division of Biological Project Description: Our primary research objective is to determine whether manipulating the timing and order of species arrival according to natural dispersal phenology influences the formation of...
Nutrient Control on Cyanotoxin Production by Harmful Algae in Crow Pond
Rebecca L. North, Research Projects 2021
Principle Investigator: Dr. Rebecca L North, Assistant Professor Institution and/or Affiliation: School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri Project Description: This proposal directly aligns with the long-term goals of PFCA through the development of an outdoor aquatic laboratory that advances science and engages undergraduate and...
Research Projects 2020
Assessing Soil Seed Banks in North Central Missouri Remnant Prairies and a Chronosequence of Restored Prairies
Katherine Wynne, Lauren Sullivan, Research Projects 2020
Principle Investigators: Katherine Wynne and Dr. Lauren Sullivan (MU), Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Our project aims to 1) assess and compare soil seed banks found in Missouri tallgrass prairie restorations of various ages to mature remnant prairie and 2) connect soil seed bank dynamics to seed rain...
The Consequences of Post-Dispersal Seed Predation for Rare, Common and Exotic Species Survival in Remnant and Restored Prairies
Lauren Sullivan, Research Projects 2020
Principle Investigator: Dr. Lauren Sullivan Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Our overall objective is to understand the fate of seeds after they have fallen to the soil - either through the initial seeding of a restoration or from maternal plants in the aboveground community. Our initial work from 2019...
Research Projects 2019
Burping Ponds: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Crow Pond and Implications for Fish Habitat
Rebecca L. North, Research Projects 2019
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rebecca NorthInstitution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: This innovative proposal directly aligns with the long-term goals of PFCA through the development of an outdoor aquatic laboratory that advances science and engages undergraduate and graduate students in active learning. This...
Evaluation of Restoration and Reconstruction of Natural Communities of Missouri
Benjamin O. Knapp, Lauren Pile, Research Projects 2019
Principal Investigators: Dr. Benjamin O Knapp, Dr. Lauren PileInstitution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri, U.S. Forest Service Project Description: The proposed project addresses management questions related to the restoration and/or reconstruction of prairie, savanna, and woodland natural communities. The proposal explicitly addresses...
Quantifying Patterns of Seed Rain
Lauren Sullivan, Research Projects 2019
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lauren Sullivan Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Relationship of the proposal to goals of PFCA: The long-term goals of PFCA include “reestablishment and maintenance of natural biological communities and service as an outdoor laboratory that advances science and engages...
Research Projects 2018
Space Use and Habitat Selection of Prairie Kingsankes (Lampropeltis Calligaster Calligaster) on a Managed Prairie Landscape
Michael Bryne, Research Projects 2018, Richard Daniel
Principle Investigators: Dr. Michael Byrne School, Natural Resources & Dr. Richard Daniel, Division of Biological Sciences Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: 1: Use radio telemetry to quantify home range size and habitat requirements of adult prairie kingsnakes. 2: Understand the response of prairie...
Engaging and Empowering Urban Youth Through Schoolyard Habitat Restoration and Conservation Education – An Innovative Middle School Program
Christine Li, Research Projects 2018
Principal Investigator: Dr. Christine Li Institution and/or Affiliation University of Missouri Project Description: The team will study how to design an interdisciplinary, natural sciences + schoolyard garden and conservation activities to engage and empower urban youth in an informal, after-school program. They will investigate how to leverage...
The Effect of Milkweed Plantation and Temporal Prairie Restoration Gradients on the Native Bee Community Composition and Pollination Service in Prairie Fork Conservation Area
Candace Galen, Research Projects 2018, Zach Miller
Principal Investigators: Zack Miller and Dr. Candace Galen Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri, Division of Biological Project Description: Our specific aims are: (1) to measure the impacts of milkweed cultivation on the diversity (species richness and evenness) of native bees; (2) to measure bee pollination services to...
Research Projects 2017
Defining Great Horned Owl Foraging Ecology as a Function of Ecosystem Structure and Restoration
Matthew Gompper, Mitchell Weegman, Research Projects 2017
Principal Investigators: Dr. Mitchell Weegman & Dr. Matthew Gompper Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Whereas researchers commonly base the success of restoration efforts on megafauna and flora, little research has been conducted on how avian predators influence community dynamics in mixed prairie...
Research Projects 2016
Comparing Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Communities on Tallgrass Prairie Reconstructions and Remnants in Missouri
Deborah Finke, Elisabeth Webb, Joseph LaRose, Research Projects 2016
Principal Investigator(s) (PI): Joseph P. LaRose, Dr. Elisabeth B. Webb, and Dr. Deborah L. Finke Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Tallgrass prairies, which once occupied a large swath of central North America, face the combined challenges of habitat loss and fragmentation. In Missouri, where less than...
Comparing Native Bee Communities on Reconstructed and Remnant Prairie in Missouri
Deborah Finke, Elisabeth Webb, Joseph LaRose, Research Projects 2016
Principal Investigators: Joseph P. LaRose, Dr. Elisabeth B. Webb, and Dr. Deborah L. Finke Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: The tallgrass prairie of North America is an imperiled ecosystem that has been the subject of considerable restoration effort and research in the past two decades. While native...
Using Cameras to Survey Small Carnivores
Matthew Gompper, Research Projects 2016
Principal Investigator(s) (PI): Dr. Matthew Gompper Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: This proposal, which will continue a project that has been underway since 2016, will enhance our understanding of the Prairie Fork Conservation Area (PFCA) fauna, provide insights into the possible use of restored...
Establishing Sustainable Milkweed Populations and Expanding Capacity to Collect and Propogate Local Ecotype Seed or Public Lands in Central Missouri
Eric Kurzejeski, Larry Vangilder, Research Projects 2016
Principal Investigators: Eric Kurzejeski, Dr. Larry Vangilder Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: Objective 1: Ensuring sustainable populations of milkweeds exist within the restored prairie to benefit monarchs and other pollinators.Objective 2: Using the infrastructure, land base, and skills of the PFCA...
Effects of Inoculating Prairie Restoration Sites with Native Prairie Remnant Soil
Donna Brandt, Randall Miles, Research Projects 2016
Principal Investigators: Donna Brandt, Randall MilesInstitution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: This project proposes to evaluate the effects of inoculating a portion of a Prairie Fork prairie restoration/reconstruction with “cores” of native prairie soil from Tucker Prairie. The inoculation effects on the...
Research Projects 2014
Influence of Agriculture and Remedial Land Use Practices of Efficacy of Soil in Supporting a Diverse Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Community for Central Missouri Prairies
Alice Tipton, Candace Galen, Christine Carson, Research Projects 2014
Principal Investigators: Christine Carson, Alice Tipton, Candace Galen Institution and/or Affiliation: University of Missouri Project Description: The objective of this study is to quantify and identify AMF taxa available to native plant species in soils undergoing three land use histories: relic unplowed prairie, reconstructed prairie on...
Past Projects
Seed Phenology and Burning Regimes
John Faaborg, Past Research Project
Period: January 3, 2003 -December 31, 2004Contact: John FaaborgOrganization: the University of Missouri and Missouri Department of ConservationFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: This project is directly related to long-term goals of education and habitat restoration noted in the PFCA Area Plan. Restoration of prairie natural...
Conservation Honors
Past Research Project, Rob Hayward
Principal Investigator(s) (PI): Rob Hayward Abstract: Publications: PI Website(s): Funding & Support: Prairie Fork Trust Project Dates: January 30, 2000 – July 30, 2012 Objectives: This project will provide learning experiences to high school senior leaders associated with PFCA’s unique natural, cultural and historical resources. The project...
Movements of Translocated and Resident Three-Toed Box Turtles
Joshua Millspaugh, Past Research Project
Period: April 15, 2007 – April 15, 2010Contact: Joshua Millspaugh Objectives: Translocation of terrestrial turtles occur to mitigate habitat loss, increase population size or genetic diversity, and to establish new populations. The success of many translocation efforts often depends on social and economic factors, but ecological factors may also...
Movement of Translocated and Resident Three-Toed Box Turtles
Joshua Millspaugh, Past Research Project
2019 Native Plant Outdoor laboratory trail at PFCA Period: April 15, 2007 - April 15, 2010 Contact: Joshua Millspaugh Objectives: Translocation of terrestrial turtles occur to mitigate habitat loss, increase population size or genetic diversity, and establish new populations. The success of many translocation efforts often depends on social and...
Evaluation of Annual Yields and Sustainability of Food-Fish Production in Missouri Small Ponds
Past Research Project, Rob Hayward
Period: March 20, 2006 – April 15, 2010Contact: Rob HaywardOrganization: University of MissouriFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: This Project intends to: Evaluate the feasibility of achieving combined annual yields of food-size largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and bluegills Lepomis macrochirus that are consistent with levels...
Educational and Outreach Program Development
Ginny Wallace, Past Research Project
Period: January 30, 2005 – April 15, 2010Contact: Trana Madsen, Ginny WallaceOrganization: Missouri Department of ConservationFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: Multiple conducted projects are aimed at developing and implementing a comprehensive educational and outreach program. This Program has a goal of providing outdoor,...
Glacial Sediment Dating
Period: January 30, 2005 – April 15, 2010Contact: Charles Rovey, Michael Chalfant, Fred YoungOrganization: Missouri State UniversityFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: The primary objective of this research is to measure the age of glacial sediments at Prairie Fork Conservation Area (PFCA) using the cosmogenic-isotope technique. These...
Soil Microbiology and Prairie Restoration
Past Research Project, Robert Kremer, Stephen Anderson
Period: January 30, 2005 – April 15, 2010Contact: Stephen Anderson, Robert KremerOrganization: the University of Missouri and USDA-Agricultural Research ServiceFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: The proposal will provide educational experiences related to soil and environmental monitoring and conservation. Specifically, learning...
Soil Structure Development in Prairie Restoration
Harold Garrett, Past Research Project, Ranjith Udawatta, Stephen Anderson
Period: January 30, 2005 – April 15, 2010Contact: Ranjith Udawatta, Stephen Anderson, Harold GarrettOrganization: the University of MissouriFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: Prairie ecosystem restoration usually improves water infiltration and reduces runoff. One reason for these changes is hypothesized to be increased soil porosity,...
Native Forb Establishment
Kelly Kindscher, Past Research Project, Quinn Long
Period: January 30, 2005 – April 15, 2010 Contact: Quinn Long, Kelly KindscherOrganization: the University of KansasFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: The dominant paradigm for prairie reconstructions has been to use tillage for seed bed preparation and plant seeds, commonly on sites recently removed from row cropping and therefore...
A Test of Morning Covey Call Count Technique
A TEST OF THE MORNING COVEY CALL COUNT TECHNIQUE FOR ESTIMATING POPULATION DENSITIES OF NORTHERN BOBWHITES IN MISSOURI Period: August 10, 2001 – May 12, 2003Contact: Ronald DrobneyOrganization: the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of ConservationFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust Objectives: The morning covey call count...
Resource Selection and Space Use of Three-Toed Box Turtles
Joshua Millspaugh, Past Research Project
Resource Selection and Space Use of Three-Toed Box Turtles Period: January 15, 2001 - May 20, 2003 Contact: Joshua MillspaughOrganization: University of MissouriFunding Source: Prairie Fork Trust and University of Missouri Objectives: Translocation or displacement studies of box turtles are conducted to examine homing behavior (i.e., return to...
PF Research Staff
Jeff Demand
Area Manager / Wildlife Management Biologist