Survey of Habitat and Soil Types to Assist with Long-term Prairie Management
Advisor(s)
Dr. Robert Verb
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
11-4-2025 12:50 PM
Abstract
Survey of Habitat and Soil Types at the Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm to Assist with Long-term Prairie Management R.W. Verb, A.M. Buzdon, K.M. Offenbaker, V.R. Williams, L.A. Riley, K.L. Krynak, and R.G. Verb Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
Before the European settlement of Ohio, the western portion of the state contained a patchwork network of prairie habitats. While the majority of the original prairie habitats have been destroyed or degraded, there are several prairie remnants and restored prairie sites scattered throughout the state. The management of these habitats often utilizes controlled fire to mimic historical natural fire regimes. Controlled burns promote the health, reproduction, and diversity of native prairie species by suppressing invasive plants and controlling woody encroachment. The Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm (TOF) is a 350-acre property located on the periphery of the ancient Scioto Lake/Marsh habitat in Hardin County, Ohio. The TOF was enrolled in the NRCS conservation reserve and wetland reserve programs to assist with the planning and restoration of a myriad of habitats. In 2001 a sizeable portion of the property was originally planted as a restored tallgrass prairie habitat (switchgrass, Panicum virgatum dominated). After establishment, rotating controlled burns were used to manage these habitats until 2008, when this management practice was unable to continue due to local concerns about fire and organic soils on the property. Portions of the property are situated where the ancient peatland, the Scioto Marsh, was located. These sites are now characterized by high organic soils belonging to the Carlisle (Series) Muck. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize the habitat types present at the TOF along with the major soil series, 2) determine the distribution of soil types, specifically Carlisle Muck, across the property, and 3) look for restored prairie habitats that are not associated with Carlisle Muck so that we might begin implementing a prescribed burn plan to better manage these habitats.
Recommended Citation
Verb, Riley, "Survey of Habitat and Soil Types to Assist with Long-term Prairie Management" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 59.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/59
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Survey of Habitat and Soil Types to Assist with Long-term Prairie Management
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Survey of Habitat and Soil Types at the Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm to Assist with Long-term Prairie Management R.W. Verb, A.M. Buzdon, K.M. Offenbaker, V.R. Williams, L.A. Riley, K.L. Krynak, and R.G. Verb Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
Before the European settlement of Ohio, the western portion of the state contained a patchwork network of prairie habitats. While the majority of the original prairie habitats have been destroyed or degraded, there are several prairie remnants and restored prairie sites scattered throughout the state. The management of these habitats often utilizes controlled fire to mimic historical natural fire regimes. Controlled burns promote the health, reproduction, and diversity of native prairie species by suppressing invasive plants and controlling woody encroachment. The Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm (TOF) is a 350-acre property located on the periphery of the ancient Scioto Lake/Marsh habitat in Hardin County, Ohio. The TOF was enrolled in the NRCS conservation reserve and wetland reserve programs to assist with the planning and restoration of a myriad of habitats. In 2001 a sizeable portion of the property was originally planted as a restored tallgrass prairie habitat (switchgrass, Panicum virgatum dominated). After establishment, rotating controlled burns were used to manage these habitats until 2008, when this management practice was unable to continue due to local concerns about fire and organic soils on the property. Portions of the property are situated where the ancient peatland, the Scioto Marsh, was located. These sites are now characterized by high organic soils belonging to the Carlisle (Series) Muck. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize the habitat types present at the TOF along with the major soil series, 2) determine the distribution of soil types, specifically Carlisle Muck, across the property, and 3) look for restored prairie habitats that are not associated with Carlisle Muck so that we might begin implementing a prescribed burn plan to better manage these habitats.