Corridors in the Corn // Prairie Strips Stitch Habitat Back Together
Rows of corn and soybeans stretch across the Midwest like a sprawling sea – a monoculture of crops that leaves little room for wildlife habitat. These crops are the backbone of modern agriculture, but they’ve increasingly pushed species like bobwhite quail to the margins, and, in many instances, erased habitat completely.
Yet, amid the monoculture of row crops, prairie strips rise like an oasis of wildflowers and swaying native grasses – bringing balance, connectivity, and beauty to the landscape.
Prairie strips are exactly what you might imagine – strips of reconstructed tallgrass prairie in agricultural croplands. This management practice is often used to combat biodiversity loss and environmental damage associated with row-crop agriculture.
Prairie strips can provide a myriad of benefits by reducing soil erosion, improving soil and water quality, providing wildlife habitat, and simply adding beauty to the landscape.
Read the full story, which originally appeared in the summer Quail Forever Journal at the link in our bio.
- Story by @_rachelholt, QF Regional Communications Specialist
- Photos Courtesy of Iowa State University STRIPS Program
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