Nachusa Grasslands Blog

Our National Mammal

8/19/2016

First things first: bison or buffalo? Bison is the scientific and more accurate term. Bison are not buffalo, like the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) or water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The word "buffalo" has had a long usage on this continent and has accumulated so many layers of cultural resonance that it has also become an acceptable term.

Rock Art Bison. iPad drawing. © Charles Larry

There have been many ancient ancestors to our modern bison. Possibly arriving on the continent during one of the ice ages, Bison priscus, or steppe bison, may have originated in Siberia. Perhaps here as early as 600,000 years or as late as 300,000 years ago, B. priscus was larger than the modern bison, measuring at the shoulder about six and a half feet. B.priscus' horns were about one and a half feet in length.

After B. priscus died out, Bison latifrons became dominant. This bison was approximately 20 percent larger than modern bison, standing over 8 feet in height, with 7 foot horns. Bulls may have weighed as much as 4,000 pounds. It is the largest bovid ever found. This species was mainly located in the western part of the continent and may have arrived here 300,000 years ago.

Following B. latifrons was Bison antigus, much smaller bodied with smaller horns. This is the most common large herbivore found in the La Brea tar pits. They existed here for only about 12,000 years, to be replaced by Bison occidentalis. Again, notable for a smaller size than previous species, with horns that pointed upwards and not forward, B. occidentalis occupied the continent for some 5,000 years.

Bison bison. © Charles Larry

Bison bison, the modern bison, is the smallest bison species to ever occupy North America but is also the most prolific. Arriving between 12,000 to 10,000 years ago, estimates as to number have varied over the years, but scientists now agree that about 30 million bison roamed over the Great Plains, a vast grassland formed after the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. By the time of European settlement, B. bison were found in all parts of the present United States, except for the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, grazing in open grasslands around the edges of forests.

Lone Bull. © Charles Larry

It was in the 19th Century that bison numbers dwindled down to almost extinction level. Reasons for this are varied and are still debated by scientists. Climate change was a factor, with long periods of drought affecting the grasslands. The settlement of the West reduced grassland habitat. European reintroduction of the horse to the continent greatly improved the efficiency with which native tribes hunted the animal. In 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed, while the next year a new tanning process was developed that made bison hide much more pliable. With the new tanning process and an efficient means to get the hides to market, the demand for buffalo hides exploded. It is estimated that as many as 5,000 hide hunters, armed with the latest in firearm technology, descended on the plains, killing millions of bison. This may or may not have been sanctioned by the military, looking for ways to keep hostile tribes in check by diminishing their food supply. This is a controversial topic, not resolved presently.

The Herd in Winter. © Charles Larry

On the other hand, it was in the 19th Century that measures began to be taken to protect bison. In 1872, Yellowstone was made the country's first national park, with a population of bison grazing its grasslands. In 1894 the Lacey Yellowstone Protection Bill was passed to protect all wildlife in the park, including the last 25 wild bison of Yellowstone. In 1905, the American Bison Society, composed of politically powerful men, was founded to help save the bison and make the public aware of their dire situation. Teddy Roosevelt, then President of the the United States, was made honorary president of the society. This was followed in 1908 by the creation of the National Bison Range in Montana, established to protect wild bison from extinction. These measures of protection led to a number of growing wild herds.

Some of Nachusa's 2016 Newborns. © Charles Larry

More recently, The Nature Conservancy has taken steps to insure the continuation of wild bison herds roaming free in restored prairie habitat. Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota has maintained genetically pure (no cattle genes) bison but can only sustain 500 animals. Partnering with Lame Johnny Creek Ranch, a privately owned ranch in South Dakota, The Nature Conservancy maintains a herd originally from Wind Cave, to increase the genetically pure bison at "satellite" sites in various locations. These bison can now be found at Broken Kettle Preserve in Iowa, Dunn Ranch in Missouri, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Joliet, Illinois, and our own Nachusa Grasslands.

Our National Mammal. © Charles Larry

On May 9, 2016, President Barack Obama signed into law the National Bison Legacy Act, making bison the United States' National Mammal. It is a hopeful sign that a mammal that once ranged freely across the entire continent in the millions, and then was almost lost to extinction, is once again making a comeback.

You too can be part of the legacy of protection by supporting organizations that protect their habitat. Visit http://www.nachusagrasslands.org/donate.html to see how you can help.

__________________________________
Sources

Lott, Dale F. American Bison: A Natural History. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2002.

Flores, Dan. American Serengeti: the Last of the Big Animals. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 2016.

Savage, Candace. Prairie: A Natural History. Vancouver, B.C.: David Suzuki Foundation, 2004.

The Nature Conservancy. "Putting Bison Back on the Prairie." (2016). Retrieved from: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/northdakota/explore/putting-bison-back-on-the-prairie.xml.
____________________________________
This week's blog was written by Charles Larry, a volunteer and photographer at Nachusa. To see more of his images, visit charleslarryphotography.zenfolio.com.

0 Comments

No "Royal Treatment" for this Queen!

8/7/2016

1 Comment

Of course I am speaking about Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota), a non–native plant Nachusa Grasslands stewards and volunteers remove from the prairie!

At first glance, the Queen Anne's lace is lovely, with its elegant white flower head and delicate, fern–like leaves. In addition, as you walk amongst a stand of Queen Anne's, you are greeted with a wonderful carrot aroma, hence the plant's "Wild Carrot" nickname.

Queen Anne's lace quickly spreads if not removed.

The Queen Anne's lace was first introduced to North America by early European settlers. Left unchecked, this non–native biennial species can aggressively spread, preventing the Illinois native plants from flourishing. So, to promote the health and diversity of the native species, Queen Anne's lace is one of the weeds Nachusa stewards and volunteers target for removal. For more about Nachusa's invasive plant management, read this PrairiE-Update that discusses clearing and weeding.

I was one of fifteen volunteers who met at the Headquarters Barn for the Saturday morning workday crew. Led by volunteer steward, Ron Deters, one of our tasks was to remove Queen Anne's lace from the prairie in his unit. As we drove into the Harold Walkup unit (Ron's unit), we were met with a sea of Queen Anne's lace everywhere!!! Wow! With all the rain this summer, this non–native plant had definitely flourished. Ron certainly needed our help this day! I asked Ron where he wanted the crew to begin. He said he wanted to weed the remnant hill first. (A remnant is a piece of land that has never been plowed, so the original native plant communities have survived to present day.)

I have always felt the remnants are the most important part of Nachusa. They hold the history, the magic, and the courage of the prairie. So, I have concentrated most of my efforts on restoring/maintaining the remnant knob and I am beginning to meet with some success. I have also over–seeded the restoration and now see more compass plant and gayfeather that were not there last year. Also, the bison seem to like the Walkup unit very much so it is fun to see what their activities produce and the changes that occur. (except when they wallow on the cream baptisia!)

Ron Deters
Volunteer steward

Ron Deters first began as a volunteer for Nachusa in 2013. He attended many Saturday workdays and was drawn to The Nature Conservancy's successful prairie restoration. Ron quickly earned his sawyer certificate, qualifying him to remove non–native trees and shrubs from the preserve. Three years later, Ron is now a mentor to new want–to–be sawyers at Nachusa. Ron participates in prescribed fire as much as possible and is the volunteer steward for the Harold Walkup unit.

The first of TWO truck beds we filled with Queen Anne's lace during the Saturday workday!!

While enjoying some lively camaraderie, some volunteers used a spade to remove the Queen Anne's, but most of us just used our muscles and determination to pull them out. After all the rain we have had, the roots easily released from the prairie soil.

The volunteers proudly pose with the evidence of all their hard work!

What a joy to work hard all morning, surrounded by beautiful scenery and the quiet sounds of nature! Yes, the work can be physical (as much as you choose), but there are some wonderful benefits. There are days in the field when I look up from my task, only to enjoy a herd of bison grazing in the distance. A beautiful bird may perch on a prairie plant near me to sing me a sweet song. As I worked with this amazing group of people, I could feel the stress of my everyday life just melt away. I know Nachusa calls it a workday, but every time I volunteer it is actually a "fun day" for me, filled with a lot of good–natured banter (and great snacks!).

The "before" photo of the Harold Walkup unit. The task to remove Queen Anne's looks formidable.

The "after" photo. What a difference!!!

Since first discovering Nachusa in 2012, I try to return weekly to volunteer. The prairie is like a big garden to me and boy, do I love to garden! The kind, respectful community of volunteers this preserve attracts, as well as the the wonderful fellowship we share together, also draws me. I love building relationships with these new friends and professionals interested in land conservation. I have gained many new skills and feel my efforts are greatly appreciated and really make a difference. As always, it was wonderful to be a part of the workday and admire the immediate results of all our efforts together. I left that day, with a feeling of euphoria, amazed at what we had accomplished as a group.

Come join us! I promise you a rewarding experience!

The blog this week was written by Dee Hudson, a volunteer and photographer for Nachusa. To see more prairie images, visit her website at www.deehudsonphotography.com.

1 Comment