There has been a tendency for ecologists to present results from ecological studies and then be critical of resource managers because the best available scientific information was not incorporated into decisions about natural resources. This unfortunate situation must be remedied by ecologists, who should explicitly consider the ways in which results can be applied to management issues. Ecologists and resource managers should collaborate to establish the topical framework in which concepts such as growth compensation/overcompensation should be considered. Finally, under presettlement conditions, the tallgrass prairie probably produced overcompensation under lightly to moderately grazed conditions.