Running head: PERRIER ON LONG ISLAND 1

Perrier on Long Island

Name

Institution
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Prairie on Long Island

Introduction

According to ecologist, the Prairie locally known as the Hempstead Plains refers to

ecosystems considered as part of the shrub-lands biome, savannas, and temperate grasslands. The

prairie has similar moderate rainfall, temperate climates, and a similar composition of grasses,

shrubs, and herbs as the main and predominant vegetation rather than tree. The Prairie initially

occupied roughly 60,000 hectares extending from the eastern Queens County to the Western

Suffolk County (Harper, 1918). The Prairie is located in the same geographical area with the

Nassau Community College Campus and is one of the last remains of the indigenous Hempstead

Plains grassland, which historically occupied over 55,000 hectares of central Nassau County.

The region encompasses the prairie that occupies the central portion of Nassau County, about

midway between the north and south shores of Long Island. The Original prairie vegetation has

been almost totally obliterated due to commercial and industrial development leaving only a few

hectares of the vegetation remained of slightly below 16,000 hectares remain (Bakowsky &

Riley, 1994). According to historical/early research, Prairie was naturally devoid of the arborous

growth (xxx). However, other research like that of Bailey (1949), has maintained that the trees as

well as shrubs grew on the plains. Like other researchers, Harper (1918), also recognized the

Hempstead Plains to be a pure Prairie. According view and study on the plain, he was certain

that the little blue-stern (Andropogon scoparius) that was abundant at the time of his research

was not actually the abundant grass at the colonial period. He notes that the abundant grass at

that time probably was the big blue-stern (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) (1918). The big blue-

stern presently is common on the Western United States Prairies.

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The research identified two types of soil on the plain, the Haven Variant Association

occupying the almost leveled to the slightly sloping outwash plains and the Hoosic Variant,

occupying areas, which are plain and less eroded. Hoosic Variant soils are therefore properly

graded, deep, and well drained (Harper, 1911). The grassland is exceedingly naturally and

generally noteworthy. The Hempstead Plains underpins populaces of governmentally imperiled

and universally uncommon plants among its 250 various types of vegetation and a few plant

animal types that are presently viewed as uncommon in New York State. It significance speaks

to a standout amongst the most quickly vanishing living spaces on the planet alongside scores of

winged creatures, butterflies, and different creatures that are vanishing with it. In this paper, the

objectives is to focus on the presentation of the Hempstead Plains land use, interpreting the

floristic as well as the vegetation variation that has taken place for over seventy years, basing the

argument on the comparison of several floristic studies that has occurred in the past (Stalter &

Seyfert, 1989).

General overview of the Hempstead Plains

The Hempstead fields named after the town of Hempstead founded in 1964 has numerous

articulate angles to its lush grounds. The Plains purposes an immaculate outside classroom and

living research center accessible to personnel and understudies at Nassau Community College

and other instructive organizations in the territory (Schmitt, 1988). Many now have the chance to

examine uncommon species in their regular natural surroundings and lead stewardship exercises

to reinforce them are precious. What is more, it gives a chance to important group inclusion in its

reclamation and administration programs. Notwithstanding, without legitimate insurance and

administration, the Hempstead Plains would soon be overwhelm by brush and non-local weeds,

scarred by mountain bicycle trails and covered with waste. It would turn into a blemish to the
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encompassing group, with all the pollution; dumping and invasive species the landscape would

be overrun (Harper, 1911).

The Hempstead Plains has a lot of the historical value; it once served as “The Cradle of

Aviation.” By 1910, the Plains had covered over 50 square miles of three airfields and a few

flying schools. Although such a paramount, part of history the Plains has a number of imminent

threats and is in danger. The Plains faces several threats some in which existing leftover patches

of the meadow that are encompassed by urban advancement and unlawful rubbish dumping

which is genuinely normal (Niering, 1987). The people group is likewise to a great degree

defenseless against assist improvement and related unsettling influences, which can further

pollute the area. One of its major threats that are in grave need of monitoring is it being

colonized by invasive exotic species. These invasive species serve as a threat since shrubs been

invading the edges having the forthcoming to spread further all through the group Fire

concealment debilitates to change over the group from open prairies to progression bush terrains

or progression southern hardwoods another perilous danger to consider (Harper, 1911).

In order to maintain the site it needs to be monitored and conservation strategies and

management practices need to be put in order. Ground breaking research such as “Friends of

Hempstead Plains” and other tactics to monitor and replenish the land (Schmitt, 1988). Another

list of solutions to maintaining the Plains incorporate replicating the characteristic fire

administration, as suitable. Execute rebuilding including waste clearing, lessening woody species

as they attack, and evacuating obtrusive extraordinary species and checking their wealth. Screen

guest utilize and work with landowner to limit get to if overabundance trampling and cycling is

contrarily influencing the group. Examine the possibility of reestablishing adjacent common

zones back to this group sort (Niering, 1987).

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The Prairie Vegetation

The upland vegetation of the Hempstead Plain comprises of the four major species of

trees even though trees are not the dominant vegetation in this plain, sixty herbs variety, a dozen

shrubs, a few lichens, mosses, and fungi. The dominant kind of tree is the gray birch (Betula

populifolia). In Prairie, the gray birch is often considered a shrub rather than a tree. Two oaks

species, the (Q. stellate and Quercus Marylandica) together with a pine specie (Pinus rigida) are

also noticeable among the vegetation even though scattered sparsely and exist to the eastern part

of the plain. Likewise, the shrubs occur abundantly to the eastward. For instance, a specific

example of the shrubs species present on the plains is the willow (Salix tristis) together with two

oaks species (the Quercus ilicifolia and the Q. prinoides) growing shorter below the knee-high

(Stalter & Seyfert, 1989). The most abundant and common herb is the broom-sedge scientifically

known as the Andropogon scoparius. This species is believed to exist in abundant and common

on the western prairies. The herbaceous vegetation, which is practically the main vegetation

amongst Hicksville and Hempstead, except for a universal bush of the heath family (Pieris

Mariana), makes the progress pretty intently with the exception of in the most gravelly

territories, is almost all enduring, and midpoints about a foot in tallness (Henry, 1892).

Most of the trees and shrubs bloom in spring and most of the herbs in late summer. Most

of the woody plants and about one- sixth of the species of herbs are wind-pollinated. Most of the

colored flowers are either white, yellow or purplish, and none of them are very large or

noticeably odoriferous. Wind is naturally the chief agent of dissemination, but the scarcity of

berries and the complete absence of burs, in a region so accessible to birds and mammals, are a

little surprising. The dry prairies just described cover something like ninety-nine per cent of the

area. The principal stream in the Plains is East Meadow Brook, which begins gradually, at an
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indefinite point varying with the wetness of the season, in one of the valleys about three miles

east of Mineola and Garden City, flows nearly due south, and enters the woods about a mile from

its source. Next in importance is Hempstead Brook, which flows right through the town of

Hemp- stead (Stalter & Seyfert, 1989).

Despite the fact that the prairie vegetation develops in nearly dry and harsh soil, and gets

about all the daylight and twist there is in those parts, it shows no outrageous xerophytic

adaptions. A decent numerous animal categories, including a few of the most rich ones, have

unequivocally canescent foliage and about half the same number of are glaucous, with the goal

that the entire scene has rather a grayish tint. A substantial extent of the species have

exceptionally limit leaves, however there are no succulents, and not very many evergreens. Then

again there are obviously no substantial or thin clears out (Harper, 1912).

Problems Leading to Continuous Extinction of Prairie

One of the major threats that face the prairie is the encroachment of human activities. The

Prairies is subjected to heightened animal grazing. The existing remnants patches of prairies

(Hempstead Plain grassland) currently fully surrounded by human activities especially urban

development. The urban development and increasing settlement of persons around the prairie

and poor waste management has led to the plain being turned into illegal dumping site (Sellers,

2012). The waste dumping has really affected the ecosystem of the plain leading to extinctions of

many species. The growth of the New York City and the ever-increasing population makes the

Plains extremely vulnerable to further encroachment and disturbances as population look for

uncongested areas to settle on. The frequent fires, excessive evaporation and the strong wind

similar to those occurring on the western poses great threats too to the survival of the prairies

species, however, these factors are the result rather than the cause of the plain being tree less, so
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that they could hardly have determined the prairie in the beginning or fixed its present

boundaries. According to Sellers (2012), Harper (1912), and Niering (1987) research, it is

realized that the intrusive fascinating species, including Euphorbia cyparissias, Artemesia

vulgaris, and Lespedeza cuneata, which has the capability of spread further all through the

Hempstead Plain. The fire concealment debilitates to change over the community from open

prairies to successional shrub terrains or successional southern hardwoods (Stalter, 1981).

Saving Prairies on Long Island

The environmentalist and ecologist have been worried for decades over the future of the

remnants of the last existing 15 hectares of the Prairies (Hempstead Plain) on the Long Island,

the only true indigenous prairie existing on the east of the Appalachians (Henry, 1892). A place

which once in history covered roughly 60,000 hectares of grassland extending from eastern

Nassau to Queens. The 15,000 hectares having the only pure natural indigenous prairies belongs

to the Nassau Community College who have constantly resisted the request from numerous

developers to sell them to them the surplus land. Even though the institution has put brave face to

save the only pure remnant of prairie, the off-road vehicle and illegal dumping have continued

threatening to destroy the fragile habitat (Henry, 1892).

The year 1989 marked the new done for the Endangered Piece of Land. An agreement

was signed to mark the Long Island chapter of the Nature Conservancy. The agreement assigns

the management of the Hempstead Plain to the land preservation group. The group managed that

15,000 hectare of land on the behalf of the owners, Nassau Community College (Harper, 1912).

The conservancy agreed to fence, clear out the waste debris dumped on the land to return the

prairie to its glory and make it ecology study site. The land was marked the Endangered Piece of

Land (Sellers, 2012).

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The effort bared fruits and few years later, the prairie stood as a reminder of the Long

Island’s dwelling open space. The success could be seen as the nature of the preserve sets in the

shadow of a sport coliseum, office parks, a 403-room hotel, and the town incinerator Hicks,

(Henry, 1892). This environmentally endangered piece of land is home to one hundred and forty-

seven kinds of native grass and wildflowers some of which are found and only available in this

Hempstead Plains. It is also a home to a species of flower thought to have extinct many decades

ago (60 years), the gerardia, the pink wildflower. The specie was discovered a few years ago

only on the Massachusetts and Hempstead Plains. “There are other prairies and grasslands,

however, none of them have the combination of variety and uniqueness similar to that of

Hempstead Plain, the Hempstead loam and plant life,” Carole reiterated (Harper, 1912).

Conclusion

The Hempstead Plains, which was at one time a piece of a broad meadow framework

however now just field, is confined to one site on the seaside swamps in Nassau County. This

Plain speaks to the main known area for this universally uncommon group; no extra destinations

are required to be found. The last remnant of native prairie grassland serves not only as a major

momentous grassland for the history of Long Island but serves a greater purpose. The Plains

serves as a home to many species of plants and animals. Although the Plains are in danger there

are many resources to keep it unwavering. With extensive research and community service plans

the Plains can remain steady and safe regardless of pollution and commercial development. Such

a rare landscape and piece of history should be taken seriously and taken care of by all means
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References

Bakowsky, W., & Riley, J. L. (1994). A survey of the prairies and savannas of southern Ontario.

In Proceedings of the Thirteenth North America Prairie Conference (pp. 7-16).

Harper, R.M. (1912). The Hempstead Plains of Long Island. Torreya 12(12):277-287.

Harper, R.M. (1918). The vegetation of the Hempstead Plains. Mem. Torrey Botanical Club

17:262-286.

Harper, Roland. (1911). The Hempstead Plains. A natural prairie on Long Island. Bulletin

American Geographic Society 43:351-360.

Hicks, Henry. (1892). The flora of the Hempstead Plains, Long Island. Unpublished manuscript

(thesis), Cornell University.

Niering, W. A. (1987). Vegetation dynamics (succession and climax) in relation to plant

community management. Conservation Biology, 1(4), 287-295.

Schmitt, E. (1988). Remnant of L.I. Prairie to Be Saved - NYTimes.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/28/nyregion/remnant-of-li-prairie-to-be-saved.html

Sellers, C. C. (2012). Crabgrass crucible: Suburban nature and the rise of environmentalism in

twentieth-century America. Univ of North Carolina Press.

Stalter, R. (1981). Some ecological observations of Hempstead Plains, Long Island, New York.

Proc. of the Northeastern Weed Science Society 35:101-106.

Stalter, R., & Seyfert, W. (1989). The vegetation history of Hempstead Plains, New York.