An examination of the complex ecological role of tall fescue in grassland restoration

............................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................................ v CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 Thesis Organization ............................................................................................................... 5 References ............................................................................................................................. 5 CHAPTER 2. EFFECTS OF TALL FESCUE ON GRASSLAND LITTER DYNAMICS UNDER FIRE AND GRAZING ........................................................................ 9 Abstract ................................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 10 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 16 Results ................................................................................................................................. 19 Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 22 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 25 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... 26 References ........................................................................................................................... 27 Tables and Figures .............................................................................................................. 33 CHAPTER 3. EFFECTS OF TALL FESCUE AND ITS FUNGAL ENDOPHYTE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND SURVIVAL OF TAWNY-EDGED SKIPPERS (LEPIDOPHTERA: HESPERIIDAE) ................................................................................... 40 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 40 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 41 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 44 Results ................................................................................................................................. 50 Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 52 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 56 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... 56 References ........................................................................................................................... 57 Tables and Figures .............................................................................................................. 62 CHAPTER 4. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................ 67 References ........................................................................................................................... 69