The effects of phosphorus fertilization on the growth and survival of Liatris pycnostachya, Physostegia virginiana, and Sporobolus heterolepis seedlings were examined in a prairie restoration project. Treatment included fertilizing once at the time of planting. Plant responses were measured on two soil types, Bono (very high phosphorus levels, lower and flatter) and Morley (very low phosphorus levels, on a slight hill with some slope). P fertilization did not increase the growth of any species on either soil type, although results may have been limited by the effects of surrounding plant competition. Only one significant difference in plant growth was observed between fertilized and unfertilized plots; control Liatris pycnostachya and Physostegia virginiana in the Bono soils produced more shoots than fertilized plants of the same species. P- fertilized Liatris pycnostachya in Morley soil had significantly higher survivorship than unfertilized plants. In contrast, P-fertilized Physostegia virginiana in the Bono soil had the significantly lower survivorship than unfertilized plants. For the other species on either soil type, the survivorship was not significantly different. Because P-fertilization produced very limited benefit, and even adverse plant responses in some cases, the recommendation of this study is that P-fertilization should not be applied at the time of planting of prairie restoration projects. / Department of Biology

Current Indiana regulations regarding vegetative covers on multi-layer cap systems recommend a standard seeded turf as defined by the Indiana Department of Transportation. Although in its infancy, the use of native prairie grasses and forbs is beginning to generate interest as a viable vegetative cover. This creative project examines past influences that dictated the selection of vegetative covers, examines the use of native prairie grasses and forbs, and creates and applies a design "model" for an existing hazardous waste site located in Albany, Indiana.The goals of this creative project are to identify standard design guidelines for vegetative covers on hazardous waste and landfill multi-layer cap systems, evaluate standard guidelines and case studies of hazardous waste site vegetative covers, recommend changes to standard design guidelines, recommend an alternative vegetative cover using native prairie plants, apply new design guidelines to an existing hazardous waste site (Muncie Racetrack Site) using the alternative cover, and evaluate the results of the guidelines with the alternative cover. / Department of Landscape Architecture