In response to the vast loss of prairie area in western and southern Minnesota and the
concern over plant genetic loss and soil erosion that resulted, this study set to determine the
success of prairie reconstruction along Minnesota roadways. Areas around rest stops on
major highways were seeded with prairie plants. As nitrogen is commonly limited in natural
environments, legumes-known for their ability to fix nitrogen in symbiosis were included in
the prairie reconstruction plant mixes. However, not all of the land area contains sufficient …