Objective:
1. Finalize confirmation and sampling of potential meadow fescue populations identified in 2007, including those found in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. 2. Collect information on environmental conditions at a representative subset of sample sites, including long-term land use information from landowners. 3. Conduct molecular analyses of samples from the collection sites to define populations and determine the extent of genetic diversity between distinct populations in the region. These analyses will then be combined with spatial information to draw conclusions about the introduction and spread of meadow fescue in Wisconsin.

Approach:
We will sample meadow fescue plants from throughout the driftless region, conduct DNA analyses of these plants, correlate DNA marker patterns with ecogeographic factors, conduct endophyte analyses, and develop materials for seed increase and testing in the parent project.