Quantifying Opportunities for Landscape-Scale Grassland Restoration in the Upper Missouri River, Montana

Student Researcher

Maddie Winer, Major: Geology, Major: Environment & Sustainability

Student Researcher

Maddie Winer, Major: Geology, Major: Environment and Sustainability

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Robert Rose

Project Description

In an effort to better understand the carrying capacity of the Upper Missouri River ecoregion of central Montana, American Prairie scientists and managers would like to collaborate on a region-wide analysis to determine the location and extent of grasslands with restoration potential. Grasslands that have been tilled-up to plant crops, even decades ago, are likely to be both less productive and less resilient than lands without that use legacy.

While contemporary stocking rates likely take this into account (although not explicitly), knowing the extent of historic impact of land use in the American Prairie region has implications for the amount of wildlife a rewilded short-grass prairie can support relative to the reference system (pre-1800). Working alongside partners from the American Prairie Reserve, students are exploring the spatial extent and connectivity of grasslands with varying levels of land use histories to explore opportunities for large-scale restoration.

Project ID - Format

22-010-22 - Conservation GIS Lab

22-010-23 - Conservation GIS Lab