Buffalo Bayou Park Vegetation Management Plan (PDF)

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5.5 Prairie Management Zone (PMZ)Buffalo Bayou Park: PrairiesMiles0 0.125 0.25 0.5²LegendEstablished Prairie 0.3 acresEstablished Priarie i.d.Proposed Prairie 8.3 arcresProposed Prairie i.d.Established West Sector Prairie Prairie Wildflowers & Grasses!!October 2004 31 Buffalo Bayou Park Vegetation Management PlanBuffalo Bayou Partnership
Chapter 5Significant Management ZonesSmall pocket prairies and numerous species related to prairie ecology have historically been found alongthe Bayou. Establishing pocket prairies in underutilized parkspace throughout the West Sector willreduce annual maintenance costs; improve habitat conditions for birds, butterflies and other wildlife;enable interpretive recreation; disrupt floodwater sheetflow; improve soil permeability and floodwatercapacity; and create a higher aesthetic value when management needs are met.Area: 0.5 acres. Boundary corresponds to vegetation zone 7. One small prairie has been established onin a street level field just of Sawyer Drive. It was seeded with native prairie and wildflower mixes inNovember 2003 in conjunction with the wildflower slopes.Groundcover: Dominant groundcover includes spotted bee balm (Monarda punctata), common sunflower(Helianthus annuus), Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani), foxtail (Setaria geniculata),Paspallum spp. and Drummond Phlox (Phlox drummondii).Invasive and Unwanted Plants: Invasives species that were present in the first year have been giantragweed (Ambrosia trifida) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and dallisgrass (Paspallumdilatatum).Prairie Establishment and Management RecommendationsObjectives:• Increase prairie acreage• Maintain existing pilot prairie• Re-establish native vegetation• Prune hazard trees and specific visual obstructionsEstablishing a PrairieChoosing a Location:With approximately 100 acres of mowed, unused parkspace the Park provides ample opportunities toestablish pocket prairies. Generally, these are relatively level, open areas away from the trail and nearthe waterway. Map 5.5 shows several potential locations for prairie establishment.Step 1: Choosing a location• a turf-maintained area under-utilized by park-users• receives direct solar radiation• sandy soil with good drainage• A level surface with depressions, when possibleStep 2: Scalp and treat the existing vegetation to prepare the site for the new prairie. The entire areashould be mowed as low as possible and tilled if possible. If known vegetation problems exist, it may bebeneficial to treat some areas with an appropriate herbicide to prepare the site. With any chosen site, a10 foot wide, mowed border should be established around the prairie between zone transitions such as aforests or trails. This will help clearly define the prairie and prevent invasive species from encroaching.Step 3: Spread a 1 – 3 inch layer of organic compost throughout the site to stabilize and replenish theexisting soil.Step 4: Select and acquire local seeds harvested within 100 miles of the site when possible. In somecases seedlings may be available to plant directly into the prairie.Step 5: Seed area between October and NovemberOctober 2004 32 Buffalo Bayou Park Vegetation Management PlanBuffalo Bayou Partnership
Page 4: CHAPTER 1OVERVIEW1.1 Buffalo Bayou
Page 7 and 8: CHAPTER TWOGOALS AND OBJECTIVESChap
Page 9: CHAPTER 3CONTEXT OF PLANChapter 3Co
Page 13 and 14: Chapter 4Assessment of Existing Res
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 4Assessment of Existing Res
Page 17 and 18: Chapter 5Significant Management Zon
Page 21: Riparian Restoration Plant ListScie
Page 24 and 25: TRIBUTARY MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY SCH
Page 26 and 27: 5.3 Forest Management Zone (FMZ)Buf
Page 30 and 31: 5.4 Wildflower Slope Management Zon
Page 32 and 33: WILDFLOWER SLOPE MAINTENANCE FREQUE
Page 38 and 39: Rudbeckia nitida Shining Coneflower
Page 44 and 45: Chapter 6Maintenance ProceduresWate
Page 46 and 47: Chapter 6Maintenance ProceduresType
Page 48 and 49: Chapter 6Maintenance ProceduresIn u
Page 50 and 51: Chapter 6Maintenance ProceduresTree
Page 52 and 53: CHAPTER 7STREAMBANK STABILIZATION D
Page 54 and 55: Chapter 7Streambank Stabilization D
Page 56 and 57: Chapter 7Streambank Stabilization D
Page 58 and 59: Appendix II: Invasive and Non-nativ
Page 60 and 61: Description of Habitat RatingsHabit
Page 62 and 63: Birds Eye View of Site:Sketch the s
Page 64: REFERENCESHarris County Flood Contr

Buffalo Bayou Park Vegetation Management Plan (PDF)

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