Oak savannas are characterized by having a diverse mix of understory plants and a canopy of open-grown oak trees found on a heterogeneous, sandy soil. Due to the colonization of European settlers, who cleared the land for agriculture and suppressed fire, about 80% of the original savannas have been destroyed. Controversy, however, has surrounded whether or not oak savannas can actually be considered a unique habitat. Some believe that savannas are not distinct ecosystems and have argued that savannas are merely transition zones between prairies and forests. These views of savannas as "prairies with trees" de-emphasize their uniqueness making them less of a conservation priority. Thus it is important to identify characteristics favoring structure, composition, diversity, and regeneration of oak savannas. We are studying the effects of light on recruitment and growth of 12 savanna species within an experimental restoration. Seed mixtures of all 12 species were sown into 1m2 plots in a randomized block design in early May 2000. Patterns of emergence, survivorship, growth and reproduction for all species are being analyzed to determine how light effects individual species and patterns of diversity oak savanna restorations.

Hausman, C. and H. J. Michaels. The effects of a light gradient on seedling establishment in an oak savanna restoration. (in prep.)