Forb Diversity Globally is Harmed by Nutrient Enrichment but can be Rescued by Large Mammalian Herbivory

Forbs (“wildflowers”) are important contributors to grassland biodiversity but are vulnerable to environmental changes. In a factorial experiment at 94 sites on 6 continents, we test the global generality of several broad predictions: (1) Forb cover and richness decline under nutrient enrichment, particularly nitrogen enrichment. (2) Forb cover and richness increase under herbivory by large mammals. (3) Forb richness and cover are less affected by nutrient enrichment and herbivory in more arid climates, because water limitation reduces the impacts of competition with grasses. (4) Forb families will respond differently to nutrient enrichment and mammalian herbivory due to differences in nutrient requirements. We find strong evidence for the first, partial support for the second, no support for the third, and support for the fourth prediction. Our results underscore that anthropogenic nitrogen addition is a major threat to grassland forbs, but grazing under high herbivore intensity can offset these nutrient effects

Peer Educator Recognition & Awards Banquet, April 30, 2025 [program]

The program for the 2024 Peer Educator Recognition & Awards Banquet held on April 30, 2025

2025 Runner-up Award Winner, Anna Anderson, at the Mary Ann Bolton Undergraduate Research Award Ceremony [Photo 2]

Alt Text: 2025 Runner Up Award Winner Anna Anderson (middle) with Mary Ann Bolton (left) and Dean of Library Services Theresa Westbrock (right).https://scholarworks.uni.edu/bolton_photos/1037/thumbnail.jp

2024-25 Faculty Tenure Report

Statistical report showing the number of faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, and Iowa State University that are tenured, on the tenure track, or not on the tenure track, broken down by college, department, gender, minority status, and if full or part time