KSNHI has completed numerous research and inventory projects. Only a small sampling is provided here.

Please visit the KSNHI Library and Resource Center for staff publications and reports.

Vegetation Survey and Mapping of Ft. Riley

Point of Contact: Craig Freeman

In 2002, we initiated a 3-year study aimed at updating information about the vegetation of theFt. Riley Military Reservation. The primary objectives of the study were to 1) determine the current condition of vegetation; 2) locate tracts of native prairie and assess their current quality using Floristic Quality Assessment protocols; 3) determine the locations and severity of infestations of populations of four weed species of greatest concern to installation resource managers (Carduus nutans, Lespedeza cuneata, Robinia pseudoacadia, and Sorghum halepense); and 4) document locations of protected and rare species of plants and animals.

The final report can be downloaded here.

Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range

Point of Contact: Bill Busby

In 2003, we initiated a 5-year study aimed at gathering information about the biological resources of the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range. The primary objectives of the study were to 1) conduct inventories for animals, plants, and natural communities; 2) document the land use history and past management of the installation; and 3) prepare recommendations and an action plan for the control and abatement of invasive and non-native species.

The final report can be downloaded here.

An Inventory of Natural Areas in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, and Wyandotte Counties, Kansas

Point of contact: Kelly Kindscher

In 2004 we initiated a 2-year study aimed at identifying all remaining tracts of high-quality prairie and forest in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, and Wyandotte counties in northeast Kansas. For each tract located, a list of all plant species was created and a viability rank was assigned using standard Heritage methodology.

For a summary of the results of the project and the final report click here.

Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas

Volunteers collected evidence of breeding activity on 203 bird species at 780 sites, or blocks, in the state between 1992 and 1997. The Kansas Biological Survey was one of many institutional partners that contributed to the success of the atlas.

Busby, W. H., and J. L. Zimmerman. 2001. Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. 488 pp.

 

 

Kansas Floristic Quality Assessment

Point of Contact: Craig Freeman

Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) is a standardized tool used to estimate the floristic quality of a natural area based on the vascular plants growing there. By extension, FQA can be used to assess the overall ecological quality of a site.

Botanists from the Kansas Biological Survey and the R.L. McGregor Herbarium have developed basic tools needed to employ FQA, and they are beginning to use the approach to evaluate a variety of natural areas across the state. A coefficient of conservatism – a numerical indicator of a species’ fidelity to native plant communities – has been assigned to each of the state’s nearly 1,700 native vascular plants.

An application has been developed that allows floristic data to be entered into an Excel spreadsheet from which a variety of floristic metrics are calculated, including species richness, percent native species, mean conservatism, and floristic quality index. The application also produces summary data concerning longevity, growth habit, and wetland indicator status of species identified at sites of interest.

Eventually, the attributes table and Excel application will be available via the KBS web site.