Biology majors at Central College won grants to conduct Prairies for Agriculture research this summer.
They are collecting data with professor of Biology Russ Benedict to see if prairies be restored to benefit Midwestern farms and environment.
Benedict has been leading the project for six years, and tells KNIA/KRLS News the study creates research opportunities for students while examining significant questions, and says prairies have significant advantages for agricultural purposes. Benedict and students track one of the benefits of prairie plants — increased support for pollinators like flies and honeybees. “Pollinators are in steep decline,” Benedict says, “and they’re not only vital in nature but also a multi-billion dollar business.”
Central’s field station is a 62-acre nature preserve and outdoor laboratory, and is home to this project, with more than 350 plots and 125 different combinations of prairie plants.