The Zumwalt’s Upland Prairie ecosystems have remained largely intact because they are mostly unsuitable for crop agriculture. The majority of the Upland Prairie is composed of grasslands dominated by Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and other bunchgrass species.  It also includes deciduous shrublands and isolated stands of aspen.  These ecosystems hosts a rich array of native biodiversity, which includes 11 rare habitat types as well as many sensitive, threatened, or endangered species.

    While the overall condition of the prairie's upland habitats is good, several factors present significant conservation challenges.  These include introduction and spread of non-native plant species, incompatible livestock management, overuse by elk and deer, and fire suppression.
    

More information is available:

Wildlife

• Effects of browse by cattle, elk, and deer on aspen and shrubs (2011)
• How do different grazing rates affect bird communities? (2011)
• Zumwalt Prairie home to large population of rare western bumble bee (2011)
• Do nesting songbirds prefer native to non-native prairie?  (2009)

Biological Inventory

• A search for the Giant Palouse Earthworm (2009)
• Inventory of rare plants and weeds on Long Ridge (2008)
• Do the ecological consequences of past cultivation on the Zumwalt Prairie warrant active restoration? (2007)
• Rapid survey of rare plants and weeds on the Pine Creek Parcel (2006)
• Soil crusts in upland prairie habitats (2007)
• An inventory of songbirds in Upland Prairie habitats of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2003)
• Assessing ecological condition of a Northwest bunchgrass prairie relict using high-resolution satellite imagery (2002)

Rangeland Health

• Characterization of soil types on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2007)
• Plant phenology monitoring on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2006-2009)
• Monitoring Upland Prairie vegetation on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2003), (2004)

Invasive Species

• Mapping and monitoring the abundance of noxious weeds on the prairie uplands of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2008), (2007), (2006)
• An examination of the spread of sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) over time based on herb chronology (2006)
• Mapping of sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) in Crested Wheat Pasture (2004)
• An examination of the efficacy of mapping meadow hawkweed (Hieracium caespitosum) (2004)

Livestock Grazing

• Grazing monitoring on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2008)
• Monitoring of upland forage utilization by cattle in 19 pastures on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2007)
• Pre-treatment monitoring of Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) on the Zumwalt (2006)
• Monitoring of forage utilization by livestock in the North and Far North Pastures on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2005)
• Pilot studies of herbaceous removal in Zumwalt Prairie Preserve pastures (2003)

Restoration

• A Pilot project to improve ecological condition of old fields on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2010)
• Two year survivorship of shrubs and trees in the Pine Creek exclosures (2010)
• Survivorship of shrubs and trees planted within exclosures on Pine creek (2009)
• Seedling establishment in an old field following seeding, herbicide, and grazing treatments (2007)