Project Information

Project Completion: April 2021. This project is now complete.
Implements Science Plan Theme: Adaptation
Principal Investigator(s):
Jennifer Cartwright, USGS Lower Mississippi – Gulf Water Science Center
Dwayne Estes, Southeastern Grasslands Initiative, Austin Peay State University

Key Points

• Gathered managers and researchers at a workshop that helped find gaps and priorities in research
• Literature review and workshop guides future research needs
• Will inform future reports such as SSAs and grassland conservation decisions

“…an important prototype to help better ensure the survival and recovery of threatened and endangered species…”

Overview

Grasslands are an important part of the Southeast and they face a range of threats. Experts estimate the reduction of southeastern grasslands at 90%, and close to 100% for some grassland types. This is due to decades of suppressing fires, land-use change, and other human activities. Current threats to grasslands include climate change and invasive species. 

We want to respond to these threats. We held a workshop, led by the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative and the U.S. Geological Survey. This workshop looked at the scientific needs for at-risk grasslands and species. Attendees included land managers and researchers from across the Southeast. Attendees had a range of expertise in grassland conservation. Together, we identified dozens of research priorities and gaps in knowledge. These fell into one of five categories: (1) habitat loss and fragmentation, (2) climate change, (3) changes to disturbance regimes (e.g. fires), (4) invasive species, and (5) localized impacts. 

Through this workshop and a literature review, we proposed future research areas for grasslands. This research supports the Species Status Assessment (SSA) process, part of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This can help guide future grassland research as well as effective grassland conservation.

View a SE CASC Science Seminar Series presentation summarizing this project: