Floristic and soil organic matter changes after five and thirty-five years of native tallgrass prairie restoration

This study of tallgrass prairies and restoration areas in Kansas addressed the invasion of native species from nearby source populations into the restored areas; the establishment of the restored grasslands five and 35 years after planting; and the impact of native species on soil organic matter. Although seed rain from the native tallgrass prairies reached all sites, plant communities were significantly different between sites. Species richness was much higher in native prairies than on the restored sites. Warm-season grasses replaced the oil soil organic matter but did not lead to increases in soil organic matter. This is attributed to poor nutrients and the absence of nitrogen-fixing plants.