XVI International Botanical Congess

We tested this null model of landscape connectivity by manipulating the amount of cover, via restoration, on an abandoned field. We sectioned a 1 ha plot at the Lay Field Station in Louisiana, MO. The plot is divided into 100 equal sections of 100m2. A random-stratified design assigned treatments of restoration or mowing among the sections. Thus, the amount of restored habitat increases along the plot in a gradent (0% to 90%) from left to right. Nine native prairie plants were introduced to the restored patches. Semivariance was used to analyze soil compaction, pH, and humidity. Results of soil data indicate that an anisotropic pattern (a directional spatial pattern) was detected along the connectivity gradient, thus indicating that the treatments have a direct effect on the landscape. Significant effects associated with connectivity were detected on plant performance for this first year.