Countless species call the Konza Prairie home — birds, fish, insects, reptiles — yet none is more iconic than the majestic bison.
But they’re more than just imposing photo subjects roaming the Konza Prairie Biological Station. These magnificent masticators — aka grass eaters — play a crucial role in scientific research underway on the prairie.
K-State scientists tracking how the prairie ecosystem can respond to frequent and longer droughts have built arched-roof structures that simulate drought conditions while letting the bison pass through and continue grazing. Motion-activated cameras and machine learning help them track what the bison are up to on the prairie.
What are we learning from these guardians of the grasslands? In addition to increasing the diversity of other organisms, their mere presence in these areas results in more drought-tolerant grass. By introducing bison to more prairie environments, researchers may safeguard the future of both these beauties.
