Prairie Restoration
A prairie is a diverse ecosystem of native grasses and flowering plants, also called forbs, that supports wildlife, healthy soils, geology, and fire as an essential natural process.
THE HILL COUNTRY PRAIRIE
Westcave Preserve is located in the Hill Country of the Edwards Plateau, one of eleven ecological regions of Texas. The Edwards Plateau is an uplifted and elevated region originally formed from marine deposits of sandstone, limestone, shales, and dolomites. During the Cretaceous Period, one hundred million years ago, this region was covered by an ocean. The western portion remains a relatively flat elevated plateau, whereas the eastern portion, known as the Hill Country, is deeply eroded.
Historically, this ecological region was a mosaic of plant communities, with Mixed Grass Savanna and Prairie presumed to have been a large component of the landscape. Over the years, the prairies of the Hill Country have all but vanished from our landscape due to fire suppression, overgrazing, and other human impacts.
FIRE AS A RESTORATION TOOL
2016 Prescribed burn in progress.
Post-burn conditions.
In early 2016, Westcave reintroduced fire through a prescribed burn as part of the prairie restoration process. This land management tool helps safely reduce woody growth, invasive species, and non-native grasses while encouraging the return of a more diverse native plant community. By supporting the growth of native grasses and wildflowers, these restoration efforts benefit a wide range of wildlife, including native pollinators, grassland bird species, and other animals that depend on healthy prairie ecosystems.
A VISIBLE CONTRAST
After the prescribed burn, staff and volunteers reseeded and tilled the prairie restoration area to encourage the return of native grasses and flowering forbs. Photo points were established to monitor the same area over time. By taking photographs from the same location and field of view, staff can track changes in plant growth.
Unburned
Burned
A visible contrast in prairie management: The right side has been burned and reseeded with flowering forbs and native grass seeds.