Grassland Studies (GRAS)
Description: Principles basic to the establishment, management, and utilization of forage crops and pastures. Plant identification and selection, seeding, fertilization, irrigation, forage quality and utilization, hay and silage preservation, and grazing management. The role of forages and ranges in developing a sustainable agriculture.
Prerequisites: Permission.
PLAS/RNGE 240 recommended.
Description: Identification and description of two-hundred important wildland plants of North America. Characteristics of these plants evaluated in terms of management implications.
Description: The principles of range management within the ecosystem framework. Range improvement practices and grazing systems; plant control using biological, chemical and mechanical factors; prescribed burning; range seeding; range fertilization; and the integration of range with other forage resources.
Description: Scientific and research training and necessary soft skills for researchers, using grasslands as a study system. Provides individualized opportunities for engagement with scientific methods, which include experiential learning, acquisition and refinement of skills that enhance higher-learning opportunities, and increased marketability for future employment or postgraduate degrees.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Description: Characteristics of Great Plains ecosystems, interrelationships of ecological factors and processes, and their application in the management of grasslands. Interactions of fire, vegetation, grazing animals and wildlife.
Prerequisites: PLAS 325 or equivalent.
Description: Principles of crop physiology and developmental morphology in relation to function, growth, development, and survival of perennial forage, range, and turf plants. The relationship of physiology and morphological development on plant use and management.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Description: Wildland plants that are important to grassland and shrubland ecosystem management and production. Distribution, utilization, classification, identification (including identification by vegetative parts), uses by Native Americans, and recognition of grasses, forbs, shrubs, exotic and wetland plants.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
NRES 220 or equivalent, recommended.
Description: Measurement and monitoring of the important vegetation and environmental factors used to develop management guidelines in grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. Emphasis on using ecosystem monitoring protocols for assessment of wildlife habitat, fuels management for wild-land fire, livestock production, and watershed function. Requires field sampling and travel to local field sites.
AECN 201 recommended. Capstone course. All students required to participate in a one-week field trip in central or western Nebraska prior to beginning of fall semester. Therefore, students must notify instructor at time of early registration (Dates are given in class schedule.)
Description: Analyzing the plant and animal resources and economic aspects of pasturage. Management of pasture and range for continued high production emphasized.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Description: Topic varies and deals with different aspects of forage and/or range and/or livestock, turf and/or landscape grasses, natural habitats, and wetlands.
Prerequisites: Permission and advance approval of contract.