An ecological, genetic, and reproductive study of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) populations in the Carolinas

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES ix INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1 BIG BLUESTEM (ANDROPOGON GERARDII VITMAN) COMMUNITIES IN THE CAROLINAS: COMPOSITION AND ECOLOGICAL FACTORS 7 Abstract 8 Introduction 9 Study Sites 10 Materials and Methods 15 Results 16 Discussion 25 Literature Cited 30 Appendix 35 CHAPTER 2 AN OUT-CROSSING RECIPROCITY STUDY BETWEEN REMNANT BIG BLUESTEM (ANDROPOGON GERARDII VITMAN) POPULATIONS IN THE CAROLINAS 53 Abstract 54 Introduction 55 Materials and Methods 57 Results 62 Discussion 70 Literature Cited 77 CHAPTER 3 GENETIC VARIATION WITHIN AND AMONG BIG BLUESTEM (ANDROPOGON GERARDII VITMAN) POPULATIONS IN THE CAROLINAS 82 Abstract 83 Introduction 84 Materials and Methods 86