Review of The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Restoration in the Upper Midwest. By Daryl Smith, Dave Williams, Greg Houseal, and Kirk Henderson.

Authors

Gerry Steinauer, Nebraska Game and Parks CommissionFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 2011

Citation

Great Plains Research Vol. 21 No.1, 2011

Comments

© 2011 Center for Great Plains Studies, UniverSity of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

Tallgrass prairie restoration in the Upper Midwest is the focus of this guide. Its geographic area of coverage includes the eastern fifth of South Dakota and Nebraska and northeast Kansas, a region some ascribe to the eastern Great Plains. Two types of prairie restoration are dealt with: prairie reconstruction, which the authors define as creating prairie from scratch on sites where prairie plants no longer exist; and prairie remnant restoration, defined as upgrading degraded existing prairies. The book comprises five sections: "Reconstruction Planning," "Implementing Reconstruction," "Prairie Restoration and Management," "Special Cases," and "Native Seed Production." There are 16 chapters, each written by one of the four authors, an approach that leads to some duplication. For those wanting to restore prairie, this guide provides thorough coverage of all aspects of restoration ranging from seed collecting and planting to postplanting management. It is also replete with details on restoration methodology. For example, anyone seeking instruction on how to operate a seed drill will find it here. The volume is well illustrated with black-and-white photos demonstrating equipment and methods.