Commons Ford Blog
Response of
biodiversity and ecosystem services to restoration treatments
at Commons Ford Prairie
A presentation of
research findings
Amy Concilio, PhD, Assistant Professor at St. Edwards University and her environmental science students presented their findings on research conducted at a restored prairie to over 44 interested participants in a slide/lecture presentation at the offices of Travis Audubon Society on Thursday, January 9, 2020.
The presentation, sponsored by the Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Committee (CFPRO), provided a platform for Dr. Concilio and her students to showcase the results of the research they have conducted since the spring of 2017 at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park.
Students enrolled in environmental science classes at St. Edwards University, have been conducting plant surveys and transect studies to determine the effects of restoring a prairie in an urban park. Slides and explanations of research were presented along with some questions and discussion from the audience.
The research documents and reinforces restoration efforts of the prairie committee. Located in western Travis county, Commons Ford Metropolitan Park is a part of the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
As noted on the Commons Ford Blog page located at http://commonsfordpro.blogspot.com,
“Restoration of the 40 acre prairie began in 2010 and continues
today through the efforts of the Commons Ford Prairie Committee, a subcommittee
of Travis Audubon since 2016. Travis
Audubon and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department have partnered
in their efforts to restore and maintain the prairie. The results of which have increased the
variety of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. The increased numbers of native plants have
attracted many birds and insects to the area.
Commons Ford Park is a popular spot for birdwatching, hiking and
enjoying the outdoors.
As noted on the Travis Audubon web page, “The initial goal of
the restoration effort was to increase native grasses and wildflowers while removing
invasive plant species. The result has been amazing. Invasive plant species
have decreased from 99% to 15% and native species, which provide food and
shelter to attract prairie birds and other wildlife, have increased to
85%. The percentage of prairie birds has increased exponentially.
The first pre-restoration survey identified a single bird while the first
post-restoration survey indicated in excess of 90 individuals.
Travis Audubon is working with the City of Austin to manage the
prairie and expand public programming to include field trips, bird and
vegetation surveys, and new offerings for children and families.”
A brief summary of
the research that was presented is as follows: • The restoration treatment worked to increase plant diversity & greatly reduce the cover of invasive species
• There are a variety of pollinator friendly plants
• There is insect diversity
• Recreational value of the restored prairie was surveyed
• Comparisons between the restored prairie and a nearby reference site are almost certainly underestimating benefits of the prairie restoration
• Diversity at the reference site was much higher than that observed at the restoration site pre-treatment
• Seed dispersal from the restored prairie could have increased biodiversity in the region!
What additional benefits have been gained by restoring plant diversity at Commons Ford?
• Floral resources – the variety of wildflowers and the abundance of spectacular color is beautiful and attracts a variety of birds and insects to the prairie
• Water holding capacity—long roots of prairie grasses help plants in the prairie hold water underground
• Infiltration-long roots of prairie grasses help to filter impurities in ground water
• Soil nutrients increased
Possible future research:
• Does applied nucleation work to increase benefits of prairie restoration beyond the treated area? To what extent?
• What are the social and psychological benefits of restoration of biodiversity in urban environments?
Standing cypress (Ipomopsis rubra) and horsemint (Monarda
citriodora) wildflowers were abundant in the spring of 2019.
The 40 acre restored prairie site in Commons Ford Park was dominated by a mix of invasive grasses including King Ranch bluestem, Johnsongrass, and crabgrass, until a large restoration effort occurred in 2011-12, which included prescribed fire, herbicides, and seeding more than 70 species of native Texas grassland plants. Dr. Concilio’s work has focused on quantifying plant diversity responses and seeding success, whereas her students have looked at a variety of topics such as insect diversity and abundance in the restored prairie compared to a nearby reference site (Fall ‘18), social ecosystem services of the restoration (Fall ‘18), and differences in soil moisture and organic matter in the restored prairie and reference site (Fall ‘19). Other student research quantified abundance of pollinator-friendly plants and compared productivity in the restored versus reference meadows.
Dr. Concilio is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at St. Edwards University in Austin.
February 5, 2020
Janice Sturrock
