Ep. 525 - Lessons from Ancient Grasslands

In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants

Science & Medicine, Natural Sciences

4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 11 May 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Say "old growth" and we all too often picture ancient forests with large, gnarly trees. However, forests aren't the only habitat types that can reach old growth status. Prairies, savannas, and woodlands can be old growth too and it is vital that we both protect and learn from them as they are one of the rarest habitat types on Earth. Join me and ecologist Dan Carter from The Prairie Enthusiasts as we discuss old growth grasslands and what they can teach us about ecological restoration. This episode was produced in part by Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, Kenned, Margaret, Daniel, Karen, David, Earl, Jocelyn, Gary, Krysta, Elizabeth, Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts, Pattypollinators, Peter, Judson, Ella, Alex, Dan, Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel, C Leigh, Karma, Shelby, Christopher, Alvin, Arek, Chellie, Dani, Paul, Dani, Tara, Elly, Colleen, Natalie, Nathan, Ario, Laura, Cari, Margaret, Mary, Connor, Nathan, Jan, Jerome, Brian, Azomonas, Ellie, University Greens, Joseph, Melody, Patricia, Matthew, Garrett, John, Ashley, Cathrine, Melvin, OrangeJulian, Porter, Jules, Griff, Joan, Megan, Marabeth, Les, Ali, Southside Plants, Keiko, Robert, Bryce, Wilma, Amanda, Helen, Mikey, Michelle, German, Joerg, Cathy, Tate, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Lynn, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Brett, Jocelyn, Ethan, Sheryl, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Chris, Alana, Rachel, Joanna, Lori, Paul, Griff, Matthew, Bobby, Vaibhav, Steven, Joseph, Brandon, Liam, Hall, Jared, Brandon, Christina, Carly, Kazys, Stephen, Katherine, Manny, doeg, Daniel, Tim, Philip, Tim, Lisa, Brodie, Bendix, Irene, holly, Sara, and Margie.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Now, more than ever, we need scientifically accurate ecological information reaching as many
0:04.7	ears as possible, and that is what In-Defensive Plants always strives to do. But In-Defensive
0:09.0	plants can't happen unless you support the show in some way, and one of the best ways to support
0:13.1	it is to become a patron over at patreon.com slash In-Defensive Plants. For a little bit of support
0:18.5	each month, you get some great kickbacks, including access to bonus episodes.
0:22.8	We are currently running a series which is an entirely separate podcast about learning how to
0:27.1	garden better. So if you want to take a break from sort of the more botanical, ecological
0:31.0	conversations, come join Sarah Johnson and I as we discuss a variety of topics related to gardening
0:36.1	and horticulture. We're talking native plants, food plants, aquarium plants, and everything in between.
0:41.2	It's so much fun. We're learning a ton, and we want to share that journey with you.
0:44.8	And the only way to get access to it, as I mentioned, is to become a patron over at patreon.com
0:49.5	slash indefensive plants. Consider supporting the show today.
0:52.8	Speaking of the show, let's get on with it.
0:55.9	Hello everyone and welcome to the In Defensive Plants podcast, the official podcast of
0:59.9	Indefensive Plants.com. What's up? This is your host, Matt. Welcome to the show. How is everyone
1:04.1	doing this week? When I say old growth ecosystems, you will be excused if your mind instantly goes to
1:10.4	some giant forest. Old growth is often
1:13.1	talked about in the context of trees and forests, but old growth ecosystems exist everywhere there are
1:18.4	ecosystems. And today we are talking about old growth prairie, oak savannah, and woodlands.
1:24.5	What are these ecosystems? Why are they so important? What can we learn with them and how
1:28.1	can we aim to better reconstruct them to protect the biodiversity that they harbor? Joining us to talk
1:34.0	about this is Dan Carter from the Prairie enthusiasts. The mission of this group is to ensure the
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