Grassland heterogeneity under grazing and protection management regimes in the mixed prairie ecosystem

Non-Peer ReviewedGrassland heterogeneity, in terms of spatial pattern, vertical structure, and species composition, is an important indicator of wildlife habitat. Aimed to restore ecological integrity of native prairie, the Grasslands National Park newly approved management plan consists of reintroducing large animals at moderate and intensive grazing densities into the park. Park managers are eager to have a fast and cost effective way to monitor the effects of the new management practices after the park has been under complete protection for over 15 years. This study was proposed to investigate the potential use of remotely sensed data for this purpose. As an ongoing project, a solid conclusion couldn’t be made at this moment. With preliminary results, a new framework was discussed for further analysis