Bearbower Sand Prairie

This is a short tour of a windblown sand prairie in east central Iowa. It’s an elevated aeolian sand hill, home to fragile prickly pear (Opuntia fragilis), box turtles and other xeric loving species. The sandy substrate leads to being very dry and selecting for dry-loving plants, like the cacti. The xeric nature limits competition for wet-loving or nutrient-loving plants. Opuntia fragilis is a listed species in Iowa. It could be used to demonstrate rare species and ecological niche, and habitat loss of rare habitat types and their relationship with rare species.

• What could be the creating force for a sand ridge like this? Where did all the sand come from?

• How could the sandy soil influence what can live there? 
• Why do you think this location was spared from ever being farmed?

Students could:

• Investigate how the environment helps determine what can live in this area.
• Research the geologic history of Iowa, and how the end of the last ice age left remnants still impacting us today. 

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Iowa’s Endangered Species Program: Iowa DNR’s page on the threatened and endangered species in the state. 
• PhET | Natural Selection Simulation: Computer simulation allows students to alter habitat features, species traits, etc., and simulate how well a rabbit species will survive. It provides an opportunity for students to build connections between environment and species niche.
• PBS LearningMedia | Iowa Land and Sky: Scientists Study Endangered Species in Iowa's Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve: With 510 acres, Big Sand Mound is home to undisturbed prairies, shallow ponds and woodlands, and it has the highest concentration of threatened and endangered species in the state. In this video, researchers explain the processes used to track, monitor, and protect yellow mud turtles, ornate box turtles, and the pocket mouse.