Rebecca Siems, Kushi Gowda, Lauren Jackson, Melody Kinzie, Evelyn Spacek

Introduction:
Sugar Grove Nature Center is a component of Funks Grove. In contrast to Funks
Groves famous maple trees, Sugar Groves various forbs and grasses classify it as a prairie. It is
home to over 82 different species of vegetation and hundreds of different animals. Since it is
located in central Illinois, its temperature is consistent with that of most Midwestern states. This
nationally acclaimed landmark provides students with a rich and valuable research experience.

A healthy prairie would be considered one where there is multiple forms of life. This
would include; insects, animals, plants. A healthy prairie would be found in terms of plants by
the diversity. Is there dead switchgrass? Does it look healthy and tall? Can you tell if there is
sign of animal life? These kind of things would be made obvious by looking for things such as
insects and paw prints made in the dirt from animals, or by things such as bird nests.
In order to attempt to answer whether the prairie is healthy or not, the group will look at
the biodiversity of the prairie. The group will look at the dominance of the species in the prairie,
using the Shannon Diversity Index. It will also look at the richness of all of the species. The
group will look at the state the prairie is in; whether it is dry, damp, or dead. They will also look
for proof of animal life and to see whether they have been disturbed. They will also look to see
if there is any damage done because of the weather.
 Rebecca Siems, Kushi Gowda, Lauren Jackson, Melody Kinzie, Evelyn Spacek

Methods:
At Sugar Grove Nature Center, data will be collected on the life found there. The number
of each type of grass and forb will be recorded. Some plants may also be identified as
disturbance-sensitive native plants, common native plants, or non-native (exotic) plants. Also,
the number of each type of animal species will be examined. The group will also try to identify
any butterflies seen at the prairie. The weather, including the temperature in the sun and in the
shade, the wind (according to the Beaufort Scale), and cloud cover on arrival and at departure
will be recorded. The data collected will help the group conclude whether or not the Sugar Grove
Nature Center is considered a healthy prairie.
The data will be collected by marking of a 10 m x 10 m quadrant with stakes and a 10
meter string and identifying the plant species within the section. This will be done by walking
around the quadrant with a clipboard and compare each plant to pictures of common prairie
grasses and forbs. The clipboard will have a chart that acts as a map of the quadrant with squares
to fill in plant codes to indicate what plants are where. Afterwards, the species will be tallied and
that data will be used to calculate the Shannon Diversity Index to determine whether or not the
prairie is healthy.
 Rebecca Siems, Kushi Gowda, Lauren Jackson, Melody Kinzie, Evelyn Spacek

Data:
Plant Data Table (N)

Animal Data Table (N)

 Rebecca Siems, Kushi Gowda, Lauren Jackson, Melody Kinzie, Evelyn Spacek

Conclusion:
The Shannon Diversity Index of plants at Sugar Grove Nature Center is ~1.59, which is lower
than ideal on the scale of 0-4 (ideal would be about 3-4). The biodiversity is fairly low. Indian
Grass and Miscellaneous Grass are significantly more dominant than the other plants and
animals in the prairie. Since only one disturbance-sensitive native plant (Green Milkweed) was
found, interruption may have occurred on this prairie. This would also explain the abundance of
common native plants such as Big Bluestems and Indian grass.

An ecosystems health can also be measured by evidence and effects of animals. Very few
animals were found, and they mostly consisted of ants, grasshoppers, or miscellaneous animals.
None of these particular animals seemed to have any significant impact on the health of the
prairie. Instead, human interruption seemingly had a relatively large impact.

There was evidence of human interference in the prairie in the wide walking path separating the
fields into two sides. A road outlined the prairie fields so visitors could easily travel to and from
the site. The road also separated the prairie from forestry nearby. This most likely affected the
Sugar Grove Nature Center by reducing the number of plant and animal species in the field, thus
negatively affecting the biodiversity.

The Sugar Grove Nature Center has a low biodiversity and a high human impact, constituting an
unhealthy classification. However, there is plenty of plant life and a low population of invasive
species, so while it may not have ideal conditions, the prairie is not at risk of destruction.

Works Cited:
http://www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org/