How many different species/types of native prairie wildflowers can you find in this photo? Check out the YouTube video with additional information at the following link:
https://youtube.com/shorts/YuUDun0zEN8
Ecologists conducting plant community studies typically sample randomly spaced square meter areas to determine how many species exist on a per unit area basis. This number varies within the plant community, therefore many square meter areas are sampled, then used to determine the maximum, minimum, and average species richness of the plant community. The more species packed into the area, the higher quality prairie it is. The higher quality the prairie, the greater it functions ecologically. High quality plant communities are more resistant and resilient to disturbance, whether man-made or natural, such as fire, drought, flooding, grazing, diseases, pests, etc.
