Ground beetle community responses to prairie reconstruction age, Sericea lespedeza invasion, and invasive plant management

Prairies in the United States have declined significantly since European colonization, necessitating the reconstruction of this important habitat. However, invasive plants such as sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) pose challenges to the success of these reconstructions. It is therefore crucial to obtain baseline data to assess the viability of the management of reconstructed prairies. In this study, we are assessing ground beetle communities (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as an indicator of ecosystem health in Prairie Fork Conservation Area (PFCA) in Missouri. We use pitfall traps to compare carabid diversity and abundance across paired plots, including herbicide-managed versus unmanaged areas, as well as reconstructions of varying ages and burn dates. We hypothesize that plots containing Lespedeza cuneata will exhibit reduced carabid diversity and abundance due to competitive exclusion of native flora. Conversely, we expect herbicide-treated plots to show higher carabid diversity and abundance, reflecting the invasive plant removal and heterogeneity of native plants. Additionally, we anticipate that older prairie plots will exhibit higher diversity and abundance, as they have provided more time for beetle populations to proliferate. Lastly, we predict that recently burned plots will have higher carabid diversity and abundance, as fire management can enhance habitat heterogeneity. The findings aim to inform restoration practices at PFCA and across Missouri by evaluating the viability of invasive plant management in prairie reconstructions under various conditions. Ultimately, this research seeks to establish baseline data to determine whether reconstructed prairies can attract and support diverse invertebrates, while also addressing the challenge of invasive plants.