02101nas a2200265 4500008004100000245010300041210006900144300001400213490000700227520132500234653001501559653001701574653001101591653002301602653001301625653002801638653001201666653000901678653000901687100002001696700001501716700001501731700001501746856007401761 2017 eng d00aRestoration and management for plant diversity enhances the rate of belowground ecosystem recovery0 aRestoration and management for plant diversity enhances the rate a355 - 3620 v273 a

The positive relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem functioning has been criticized for its applicability at large scales and in less controlled environments that are relevant to land management. To inform this gap between ecological theory and application, we compared recovery rates of belowground properties using two chronosequences consisting of continuously cultivated and independently restored fields with contrasting diversity management strategies: grasslands restored with high plant richness and managed for diversity with frequent burning (n = 20) and grasslands restored with fewer species that were infrequently burned (n = 15). Restoration and management for plant diversity resulted in 250% higher plant richness. Greater recovery of roots and more predictable recovery of the active microbial biomass across the high diversity management strategy chronosequence corresponded with faster recovery of soil structure. The high diversity grasslands also had greater nutrient conservation indicated by lower available inorganic nitrogen. Thus, mesic grasslands restored with more species and managed for high plant diversity with frequent burning enhances the rate of belowground ecosystem recovery from long-term disturbance at a scale relevant to conservation practices on the landscape

10aAggregates10aBiodiversity10acarbon10aEcosystem function10anitrogen10aphospholipid fatty acid10aprairie10aroot10asoil1 aKlopf, Ryan, P.1 aBaer, S.G.1 aBach, E.M.1 aSix, Johan uhttps://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eap.150302320nas a2200277 4500008004100000245016200041210006900203300001300272490000600285520145800291653002201749653002201771653001401793653001201807653001401819653000901833100001501842700001701857700002001874700001501894700001901909700001601928700001801944700001701962856006301979 2014 eng d00aNo effect of seed source on multiple aspects of ecosystem functioning during ecological restoration: cultivars compared to local ecotypes of dominant grasses0 aNo effect of seed source on multiple aspects of ecosystem functi a323 -3350 v73 a

Genetic principles underlie recommendations to use local seed, but a paucity of information exists on the genetic distinction and ecological consequences of using different seed sources in restorations. We established a field experiment to test whether cultivars and local ecotypes of dominant prairie grasses were genetically distinct and differentially influenced ecosystem functioning. Whole plots were assigned to cultivar and local ecotype grass sources. Three subplots within each whole plot were seeded to unique pools of subordinate species. The cultivar of the increasingly dominant grass, Sorghastrum nutans, was genetically different than the local ecotype, but genetic diversity was similar between the two sources. There were no differences in aboveground net primary production, soil carbon accrual, and net nitrogen mineralization rate in soil between the grass sources. Comparable productivity of the grass sources among the species pools for four years shows functional equivalence in terms of biomass production. Subordinate species comprised over half the aboveground productivity, which may have diluted the potential for documented trait differences between the grass sources to influence ecosystem processes. Regionally developed cultivars may be a suitable alternative to local ecotypes for restoration in fragmented landscapes with limited gene flow between natural and restored prairie and negligible recruitment by seed.

10agenetic diversity10agenetic structure10agrassland10aprairie10apropagule10asoil1 aBaer, S.G.1 aGibson, D.J.1 aBenscoter, A.M.1 aReed, L.K.1 aCampbell, R.E.1 aKlopf, R.P.1 aWilland, J.E.1 aWodika, B.R. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eva.1212402772nas a2200205 4500008004100000245007500041210006900116260004300185300001100228490002100239520218300260653001202443653001102455653001002466653001202476653001402488653000902502100001802511856003702529 2007 eng d00aGenesis and spatial distribution of uplandsoils in east central Kansas0 aGenesis and spatial distribution of uplandsoils in east central  aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -7040 vPhD Dissertation3 a

Upland soils in east central Kansas have a complex genesis, often contain one or more paleosols, and form in multiple parent materials including loess, colluvium, residuum, and alluvium. Quaternary loess/paleosol investigations have largely ignored this region of Kansas, as the total loess thickness on uplands is <2 m thick. In this study, the objectives are to examine the morphology and genesis of the soils of interest and how these characteristics vary within soil profiles, across landscapes, and throughout the current series mapping extent. The series of interest include the Irwin, Konza, Dwight, and Ladysmith soil series. Methods used in this study include field descriptions and sampling, terrain analysis, micromorphological investigations, and laboratory characterization, including silt and clay mineralogy. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was used for numerical dating and determination of stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) for selected paleosols. Radiocarbon ages ranged from 24,000 to 19,000 yr BP and δ13C values were between -19 and -17 ‰ (PDB), indicating that the paleosols were formed in Gilman Canyon loess or the Severance formation, under a mix of C3 and C4 vegetation. Terrain analysis results illustrated that, in given drainage areas, the soil series were mapped on a wide range of slope positions. Field observations and terrain analysis confirmed no relationships between mollic epipedon thickness, solum thickness, paleosol thickness, or depth to the paleosol with respect to landform. Micromorphological investigations revealed increasing soil development with depth, i.e., the presence of two paleosols beneath the modern soil. Mean particle size and mineralogy vary geographically within individual series. Pedogenic carbonate accumulations and redoximorphic concentrations are common features of the soils of interest, and less common features include sodium and gypsum accumulations, slickensides, and redoximorphic depletions. Results from this study will be provided to the USDA-NRCS for use in future soil survey updates, and will contribute to Quaternary loess/paleosol knowledge in Kansas and the Great Plains.

10agenesis10akansas10aLoess10amapping10aPaleosols10asoil1 aPresley, D.R. uhttp://hdl.handle.net/2097/288 02039nas a2200193 4500008004100000245010400041210006900145300001100214490000800225520139300233653001201626653001101638653000901649653002201658653001501680100001801695700001701713856011501730 2003 eng d00aAn examination of the effects of grazing on vegetative and soil parameters in the tallgrass prairie0 aexamination of the effects of grazing on vegetative and soil par a59 -700 v1063 aThe effects of grazing on vegetative biomass and richness and various soil parameters in the tallgrass prairie were examined at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (TPNP) and the Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS). It is hypothesized that grazing will exert significant influence on vegetative biomass and native species richness, and soil depth, moisture content, pH, nutrient levels (total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus), and organic matter content. To test this hypothesis, four sets of samples were gathered: 10 from an ungrazed portion of TPNP and 10 from a grazed portion, 10 from an ungrazed area of KPBS and 10 from a grazed area. Results indicate that grazing decreased vegetative biomass density, increased soil nutrient levels, and increased soil organic matter content. Mixed results were found on the effects of grazing on available soil moisture and soil pH. Soil moisture content was significantly higher in the ungrazed area of TPNP, but significantly higher in the grazed area at KPBS. Soil pH was significantly higher in the ungrazed area of TPNP but no significant differences were observed at KPBS. Grazing did not significantly influence soil depth or species richness, though differences in the taxa of species observed were evident as native grass species richness decreased in grazed areas and invasive species richness increased in grazed areas.10aGrazing10akansas10asoil10atallgrass prairie10avegetation1 aWalters, C.M.1 aMartin, M.C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/examination-effects-grazing-vegetative-and-soil-parameters-tallgrass-prairie02854nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011700041210006900158300001200227490000800239520218300247653001202430653000902442653001202451653002202463653001502485100001702500700001902517856012402536 2001 eng d00aVegetation responses to different spatial patterns of soil disturbances in burned and unburned tallgrass prairie0 aVegetation responses to different spatial patterns of soil distu a99 -1090 v1553 aPocket gopher (Geomyidae) disturbances are created in spatiallypredictable patterns. This may influence resource heterogeneity and affectgrassland vegetation in a unique manner. We attempt to determine the extent towhich density and spatial pattern of soil disturbances influence tallgrassprairie plant community structure and determine how these disturbances interactwith fire. To investigate the effects of explicit disturbance patterns we createdsimulated pocket gopher burrows and mounds in various spatial patterns.Simulated burrows were drilled into the soil at different densities inreplicated plots of burned and unburned prairie. Separate plots of simulatedmounds were created in burned and unburned prairie at low, medium, or high mounddensities in clumped, uniform, or random spatial dispersions. In both burned and unburned plots, increased burrow density decreasedgraminoid biomass and increased forb biomass. Total-plant and graminoid biomasswere higher in burned than unburned plots while forb biomass was higher inunburned plots. Total-plant species richness was not significantly affected byburrow density or burning treatments, but graminoid species richness increasedin unburned plots and forb species richness increased in burned plots. Plant species richness was temporarily reduced directly on mounddisturbances compared to undisturbed prairie. Over time and at larger samplingscales, the interaction of fire and mound disturbance patterns significantlyaffected total-plant and graminoid species richness. The principal effect inburned and unburned prairie was decreased total-plant and graminoid speciesrichness with increased mound disturbance intensity. Although species richness at small patch scales was not increased by anyintensity of disturbance and species composition was not altered by theestablishment of a unique guild of disturbance colonizing plants, our studyrevealed that interactions between soil disturbances and fire alter the plantcommunity dominance structure of North American tallgrass prairie primarily viachanges to graminoids. Moreover, these effects become increasingly pronouncedover time and at larger spatial sampling scales.10apattern10asoil10aspatial10atallgrass prairie10avegetation1 aRogers, W.E.1 aHartnett, D.C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/vegetation-responses-different-spatial-patterns-soil-disturbances-burned-and-unburned02006nas a2200157 4500008004100000245005400041210005400095300001300149490000700162520154000169653000901709653001201718100001701730700001901747856008201766 1984 eng d00aSoil structure as influenced by simulated tillage0 aSoil structure as influenced by simulated tillage a879 -8840 v483 a

Soil is often intensively manipulated by tillage, equipment traffic, and preparation for laboratory analysis. Realizing that manipulated and reconstituted soils have been and are being used in soil structure research, we used surface-soil samples of cultivated and noncultivated Reading silt loam (fine, mixed, mesic, Typic Argindolls) to evaluate the effects of simulated tillage on soil structure and to determine how well the structures of disturbed soils represent the structures of nondisturbed soils of similar composition. Soil cores 86 by 60 mm were formed after the following treatments had been applied: ultrasonically dispersed and freeze- dried, crushed and passed through a 2 mm sieve, and nondisturbed. The soil structural differences were evaluated by soil-water-characteristic curves, saturated-hydraulic conductivities, compression indices, bulk densities, wet and dry aggregate stabilities, and scanning-electron-microscopy. The results show that the soil structures of reconstituted, intensively or even mildly manipulated soils differ considerably from the nondisturbed soils of the same makeup. The greater the disturbance, the greater the differences between the nondisturbed and disturbed soils. The main differences were caused by the destruction of cements and bridges between individual aggregates, which create large, compound-unit (ped) structures. Additional Index Words: dry-aggregate stability, wet-aggregate stability, compression indices, soil-water characteristic, scanning- electron microscopy

10asoil10atillage1 aPowers, D.H.1 aSkidmore, E.L. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/soil-structure-influenced-simulated-tillage