Arkansas' Last Remnant Prairies
Andrew Ruegsegger's Journey Documenting Ozark Plants
Andrew collecting plants while they are in bloom
Andrew collecting plants while they are in bloom
Andrew Ruegsegger shares his knowledge on the overlooked importance of prairies as he takes us on a hike around the perimeter of Cato Springs Research Center’s remnant plain.
Cato Springs Research Center, stationed south of the University of Arkansas campus, is home to the Oak Knoll, one of Arkansas' last remnant prairies. Its preservation has marked it one the last pieces of land that hasn’t been plowed or disturbed for human purposes.
At first glance, a prairie may seem less characteristically exciting than other ecosystems, but upon deeper inspection, its diverse ecology and biodiversity prove its uniqueness. Ruegsegger reminds us that prairies today are resilient, embodying generations of plant and animal species that have evolved and adapted to these specific ecosystems.
Walking and Talking About Invasive Species
Invasive Species Affecting Oak Knoll
Callery Pear Trees
Callery Pear Trees
Perilla Mint
Perilla Mint
Bush Honeysuckle
Bush Honeysuckle
Japanese Honeysuckle
Japanese Honeysuckle
The lack grazing animals such as bison has caused an overabundance of invasive species such as the Bush honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, Bradford pear tree, and Perilla Mint (shown above). Fire suppressions result in the encroachment of native woody species like the Eastern red cedar.
Human conservation efforts are important in managing these invasive species and maintaining biodiversity for the purpose of preventing the endangerment of prairies, which as we’ve learnt, are irreplaceable pieces of land.
The UARK Herbarium
Our second meeting was held at the University of Arkansas’ Herbarium, which was founded in 1875. This building holds an astounding collection of over 130,000 plant species.
Jennifer Ogle, the collections manager at the University of Arkansas’ herbarium, informed us that the plants are stored in cabinets where the climate and light are controlled to preserve them for hundreds of years, salvaging ecological history and opening the door to the possibility of discovering genetic differences that may lead to new plant species.
Ruegsegger led us through the process of pressing these plants, which is the act of pressing and drying them for the purposes of preservation.
The Pressing Process
I. Go out into the field and identify the desired plants.
II. Brandish some hand clippers and gallon plastic bags to harvest these plants.
III. After placing the plants in the gallon bag, flick water onto them so they are preserved during the transport.
IV. Remove the moisture by sandwiching the plant between two pieces of blotting paper.
V. Place foam sheets on both sides and cardboard sheets at each end of your plant sandwich layer, this will ensure the applied pressure is evenly distributed.
VI. Wrap two adjustable straps around the ends of your press and flatten the plant sandwich.
VII. Wait 1-2 weeks for the plants to completely dry and flatten.
Andrew's Pressed Plants
Why Plants Matter to Andrew
Disregarding intricate concepts such as conservation biology, prairies hold a simplistic beauty that Ruegsegger helped us appreciate.
As we walked through the small plain, Ruegsegger pointed out various budding flowers and introduced us to the fragrances of the Eastern red cedar. Ruegsegger grew up in the small town of Norfork, Arkansas, where he learnt how to notice these small details on his many lone hikes. His hometown lacked people and entertainment, sparking his love for nature and hiking. He jokes that plants are his “claim to immortality.”
Ruegsegger's interest in anthropology further cemented his interest in plants, as he realized that plants “play an integral role in shaping evolutionary relationships and how we have persisted in the past.” Plants make Ruegsegger feel small in a “profound and powerful way,” because just like humans, plants are evolutionary, and we would not be here today without them.
Every organism has its purpose, and Ruegsegger’s purpose is to encourage others not to downplay less recognized ecosystems such as prairies and to advocate for the conservation of plants.
Built with Shorthand