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Assessment of species for landscape management of archaeological sites in middle Tennessee.

Article Excerpt
ABSTRACT -- The establishment of grasslands or wildflower meadows using native grasses and forbs is a possible management option on archaeological sites that are dominated by fescue. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of several species of grasses and forbs as replacements at archaeological sites. The investigation was set up in an old field containing lithic material (Gossette Tract, Cheatham County, Tennessee). Approximately 1.3 ha of ground was plowed during the winter 1999-2000, seeds of five forbs and four grasses were sown in 8 to 24 0.04-ha plots during winter 2000, and growth and reproduction of the planted species were evaluated during the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons. Growth of native and nonnative species (volunteers) associated with the planted ones was recorded during both growing seasons as well. The grasses Schizachyrium scoparium and Tridens flavus and the forbs Rudbeckia amplexicaulis, R. hirta, and Vernonia gigantea established well during the first year of planting. The number of Echinacea purpurea plants increased between 2000 and 2001, but none flowered until 2002. Asclepias tuberosa was not recorded in 2000, but two plants flowered in the study plots and several were noted outside the study plots during 2001. The grasses Tripsacum dactyloides and Elymus virginicus were unsuccessful for establishment. Neither the planted species nor the volunteer species responded positively to fertilizer addition. Limited use of herbicides and fertilizer is recommended for the restoration of archaeological sites.

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Throughout Tennessee, the state owns and manages many prehistoric archaeological sites that are kept in a natural condition. Visitor impact is relatively low at these sites since some are open only to the public for occasional tours. Examples of such sites in Tennessee are Mound Bottom (ca. A.D. 700-1325) in Cheatham County and Sellar's Mound (ca. A.D. 900-1250) in Wilson County. Maintaining sites as open areas that are pleasing to the public's eyes while being cost effective for management purposes is challenging. A problematic feature of some archaeological sites is controlling the encroachment of woody plants and exotic plants, particularly fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbyshire or L. pratense (Huds.) S. J. Darbyshire]. The most common management protocol at sites is mowing, which is done once or twice a year. On the other hand, the use of other management tools, such as fire, is inappropriate since alteration of the archaeological record might occur.

One option for managing archaeological sites would be to restore them to grassland (prairie)-like habitats or wildflower meadows using native grasses and forbs. This tactic would be ecologically appropriate since grassy openings were present in the forested landscape when the first European settlers arrived in Tennessee (DeSelm, 1989). A long-term goal of establishing a native grassland/meadow on archaeological sites would be replacement of fescue with native grasses and showy forbs. Reduced frequency in mowing would be a second goal. The one obstacle in converting a meadow consisting chiefly of fescue to one of native grasses and forbs is information regarding species that might be appropriate substitutes (N. Fielder, pers. comm.).

The focus of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of four grasses and five forbs as replacements in archaeological sites dominated by fescue. Grass and forb seeds were sown in winter 2000, and growth and reproduction of plants were evaluated in autumns 2000 and 2001. The application of fertilizer was tested during the 2000 growing season. Growth of other native and nonnative species associated with the planted species was evaluated in both years as well.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study site was established on a terrace above the Harpeth River in Cheatham County, Tennessee. This state-owned property is called the Gossette Tract and lies across the river from the state archaeological site Mound Bottom. The tract was previously farmland, most recently producing corn and a mixed fescue-type grass...

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