01797nas a2200229   4500008004100000245004400041210004400085300001100129520114600140653002401286653001401310653001901324653001201343653001301355653001201368653003601380653002301416100002001439700001701459700001901476856007201495       2005                        eng d00aUsing local seed in prairie restoration0 aUsing local seed in prairie restoration  a22 -283 aChoice among local, non-local, and cultivar seeds for restoring native ecosystems is not purely an academic question—it also has practical consequences.In this article we summarize a series of genetic and competition studies of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman. [Poaceae]), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash. [Poaceae]), and purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.[Fabaceae]) from remnant and restored Illinois (local) prairies, non-local remnant prairies, and 6 grass cultivars. We found genetic differences between local and non-local seed sources, that large populations do not necessarily have higher genetic diversity relative to small populations, and differences in plant performance could be related to seed source. Although obtaining large quantities of non-local and cultivar grass seeds may be affordable, available, and desirable given the amount of seeds required for prairie restoration, our research indicates genetic and plant performance differences between local and non-local seed sources in all 3 species. Such differences can affect both the short- and long-term success of restoration activities.10aAndropogon gerardii10acultivars10aDalea purpurea10aEcotype10aFabaceae10aPoaceae10aremnant and restored grasslands10aSorghastrum nutans1 aGustafson, D.J.1 aGibson, D.J.1 aNickrent, D.L.  uhttp://knz.lternet.edu/content/using-local-seed-prairie-restoration02183nas a2200145   4500008004100000245014500041210006900186300001300255490000700268520158400275100002001859700001701879700001901896856012201915       2004                        eng d00aCompetitive relationships of Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) from remnant and restored native populations and select cultivated varieties0 aCompetitive relationships of Andropogon gerardii big bluestem fr  a451 -4570 v183 a1Although genetic differentiation among plant populations is well known, its relevance for preserving the integrity of native ecosystems has received little attention. In a series of competition experiments with Andropogon gerardii Vitman, a dominant species of the North American Tallgrass Prairie, plant performance was related to seed provenance and restoration activities.
2Glasshouse experiments showed plant performance to be a function of seed source. Differential target plant performance relative to competitor identity was observed when plant performance was assessed across a range of competitor densities. Local and non-local plants were larger when competing against non-local plants relative to the local and cultivar plants, while cultivar plants were consistently larger than local and non-local plants regardless of competitor identity or density. The consistency of cultivar performance could reflect directional selection during cultivar development for consistently high fecundity, vigorous vegetative growth and resistance to pathogens.
3In a field experiment, non-local plants were half the size of local and cultivar plants, supporting recognition of seed provenances of A. gerardii based on differences in plant performance among source populations observed in the glasshouse study, and previous genetic analyses of the same populations.
4This study establishes that seed provenance and restoration activities influence the competitive ability of a dominant species which, in turn, may affect plant community structure and potential ecosystem function.1 aGustafson, D.J.1 aGibson, D.J.1 aNickrent, D.L.  uhttp://knz.lternet.edu/content/competitive-relationships-andropogon-gerardii-big-bluestem-remnant-and-restored-native03201nas a2200145   4500008004100000245009900041210006900140300001300209490000700222520265000229100002002879700001702899700001902916856012002935       2004                        eng d00aConservation genetics of two co-dominant species in the endangered tallgrass prairie ecosystem0 aConservation genetics of two codominant species in the endangere  a389 -3970 v413 a<p>1. Global habitat fragmentation and loss of undisturbed grasslands has led to the use of non-local seed and cultivars in restoration. There is concern that these sources may be genetically depauperate and their introduction may lead to loss of unique local genotypes. Within this context we considered the issue with regard to the once widespread but now highly fragmented North American tallgrass prairie. 2. We characterized the genetic diversity and genetic relationships of the co-dominant species in this system, big bluestem Andropogon gerardii and Indian grass Sorghastrum nutans, from seven remnant and six restored local tallgrass prairies, a non-local remnant prairie, and five cultivated varieties. 3. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of these grasses showed that genetic diversity was mostly retained within rather than among populations, and did not differ among restored or remnant populations or cultivars. 4. Genetic diversity estimates were not correlated with the area of the grassland, nor was there a clear association between diversity and species abundance. All of the restored grasslands in this study were established with seed from at least two local populations and were as genetically diverse as remnant sites. 5. Principal components analysis of RAPD band frequencies showed that the local remnant and restored populations were genetically different from the non-local remnant grasslands and were consistently different to the cultivars. The genetic relationships among local remnant and restored populations reflected biogeography and human activities. 6. Synthesis and applications. Restoration practitioners have often assumed that small populations are genetically depauperate and therefore the need for multiple seed sources to increase genetic diversity outweighs concerns over potential genetic differences among widespread species. Our research, however, indicates that genetic diversity is much less of an issue in these perennial outcrossing autopolyploid grasses than genetic differences among local and non-local or cultivar seed sources. Combining these results with our previous research, indicating differences in plant performance as a function of the source population, suggests that genetic differences and ecological performance among local and non-local seed sources are more of a concern than genetic diversity. Translocating non-local seed in order to increase diversity, or using cultivars, is likely to alter the genetic structure of remnant populations and potentially influence the associated community and affect ecosystem structure and function in unforeseen ways.</p>1 aGustafson, D.J.1 aGibson, D.J.1 aNickrent, D.L.  uhttp://knz.lternet.edu/content/conservation-genetics-two-co-dominant-species-endangered-tallgrass-prairie-ecosystem