In tallgrass prairie, annual tiller recruitment occurs primarily from belowground meristems (bud bank) rather than from seed. Therefore, in this system bud banks regulate plant population and community dynamics to a greater extent than seed banks. Current models predict greater variability in precipitation, with larger events and longer dry spells between events for northeastern Kansas. We hypothesize that bud banks mediate plant community response to changing precipitation patterns by differential release of meristems from dormancy and changing the production of new meristems. Release of a relatively high proportion of the available bud bank will allow rapid recovery from severe drought. We will impose three treatments for two years in four replicate plots: 1) 80% growing season precipitation reduction, 2) irrigation to relieve water stress, and 3) an ambient control. We will measure changes in ANPP and species specific tiller density, percent cover, and meristem density throughout the two years of treatment and during two years of recovery. The results of this research will further our understanding of bud banks as key regulators of stability in grassland and savanna ecosystems and allow us to predict plant population and community responses to altered precipitation patterns.