02136nas a2200169 4500008004100000245012200041210006900163300001400232490000800246520156400254100001801818700001701836700001801853700002001871700001801891856005701909 2023 eng d00aMultiple global change drivers show independent, not interactive effects: a long-term case study in tallgrass prairie0 aMultiple global change drivers show independent not interactive  a143–1540 v2013 a

Ecosystems are faced with an onslaught of co-occurring global change drivers. While frequently studied independently, the effects of multiple global change drivers have the potential to be additive, antagonistic, or synergistic. Global warming, for example, may intensify the effects of more variable precipitation regimes with warmer temperatures increasing evapotranspiration and thereby amplifying the effect of already dry soils. Here, we present the long-term effects (11 years) of altered precipitation patterns (increased intra-annual variability in the growing season) and warming (1 °C year-round) on plant community composition and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), a key measure of ecosystem functioning in mesic tallgrass prairie. Based on past results, we expected that increased precipitation variability and warming would have additive effects on both community composition and ANPP. Increased precipitation variability altered plant community composition and increased richness, with no effect on ANPP. In contrast, warming decreased ANPP via reduction in grass stems and biomass but had no effect on the plant community. Contrary to expectations, across all measured variables, precipitation and warming treatments had no interactive effects. While treatment interactions did not occur, each treatment did individually impact a different component of the ecosystem (i.e., community vs. function). Thus, different aspects of the ecosystem may be sensitive to different global change drivers in mesic grassland ecosystems.

1 aKoerner, S.E.1 aAvolio, M.L.1 aBlair, J., M.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aSmith, M., D. uhttps://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00442-022-05295-501017nas a2200337 4500008004100000245008200041210006900123300001000192490000700202100001700209700002600226700001800252700001700270700001900287700002300306700001700329700002200346700002400368700002400392700002400416700002200440700001900462700002300481700001200504700002400516700002100540700001600561700001400577700001800591856007000609 2022 eng d00aMaking sense of multivariate community responses in global change experiments0 aMaking sense of multivariate community responses in global chang ae42490 v131 aAvolio, M.L.1 aKomatsu, Kimberly, J.1 aKoerner, S.E.1 aGrman, Emily1 aIsbell, Forest1 aJohnson, David, S.1 aWilcox, K.R.1 aAlatalo, Juha, M.1 aBaldwin, Andrew, H.1 aBeierkuhnlein, Carl1 aBritton, Andrea, J.1 aFoster, Bryan, L.1 aHarmens, Harry1 aKern, Christel, C.1 aLi, Wei1 aMcLaren, Jennie, R.1 aReich, Peter, B.1 aSouza, Lara1 aYu, Qiang1 aZhang, Yunhai uhttps://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.424900488nas a2200121 4500008004100000245012600041210006900167300001100236490000700247100002300254700001700277856007200294 2022 eng d00aMicrobial dispersal, including bison dung vectored dispersal, increases soil microbial diversity in a grassland ecosystem0 aMicrobial dispersal including bison dung vectored dispersal incr a8251930 v131 aHawkins, Jaide, H.1 aZeglin, L.H. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.825193/full02866nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012900041210006900170520232200239100001602561700002402577700002402601700001502625700001502640856006502655 2021 eng d00aMechanisms influencing physically sequestered soil carbon in temperate restored grasslands in South Africa and North America0 aMechanisms influencing physically sequestered soil carbon in tem3 a

Sequestering carbon (C) into stable soil pools has potential to mitigate increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Carbon accrues in grassland soil restored from cultivation, but the amount of physically protected C (here measured as microaggregate-within-macroaggregate C) and predominant mechanisms of accrual are not well understood. We modeled the rate of physically protected carbon accrued in three mesic temperate perennial restored grasslands from cross-continental regions using datasets with a wide range of restoration ages from northeast Kansas, USA; southeast Nebraska, USA; and northeast Free State, South Africa. Further, we investigated major controls on the amount of physically protected C in each site using structural equation modeling. Variables in the structural equation model were root biomass, root C:N ratio, soil structure (indicated by bulk density, percent of macroaggregates on a per whole soil mass basis, and percent of microaggregate-within-macroaggregates on a per macroaggregate mass basis), microbial composition (indicated by microbial biomass C, total phospholipid fatty acid [PLFA] biomass, and PLFA biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi [AMF] biomass), and microaggregate-within-macroaggregate C on a per whole soil mass basis. Across all sites, physically protected C accrued at a rate of 16 ± 5 g m−2 year−1. Data from South Africa fit an a priori metamodel developed for northeast KS that hypothesized physically protected C could be explained as a function of microbial composition, soil structure, root C:N ratio, and root biomass (listed in order of strength of direct effect on physically protected C). In contrast to the model-based hypothesis, root C:N ratio was the strongest influence (negative) on physically protected C in South Africa. The lesser effect of AMF on physically protected C in South Africa was consistent with lower AMF biomass in arid environments. The hypothesized model did not fit southeast Nebraska data possibly due to high (~ 30%) clay content. Overall, these results suggest that physically protected C in soil with moderate amounts of clay (more than 10% and less than 30%) can be predicted with knowledge of roots (biomass and C:N ratio), microbial biomass, and soil aggregation.

1 aScott, D.A.1 aBach, Elizabeth, M.1 aPreez, Chris, C. Du1 aSix, Johan1 aBaer, S.G. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10533-021-00774-y00535nas a2200121 4500008004100000245014800041210006900189260004300258490001400301100002400315700002000339856005400359 2021 eng d00aA multi-locus perspective reveals connections between island biogeography and evolutionary history of an endangered shrew (Sorex pribilofensis)0 amultilocus perspective reveals connections between island biogeo aManhattan, KSbKansas State University0 vMS Thesis1 aWiens, Benjamin, J.1 aHope, Andrew, G uhttps://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/4154802163nas a2200301 4500008004100000245007600041210006900117300001200186490000800198520129700206100001601503700001801519700002001537700001701557700001701574700001701591700001701608700001701625700001301642700001801655700001701673700002601690700001701716700001701733700001101750700002001761856008001781 2020 eng d00aMass ratio effects underlie ecosystem responses to environmental change0 aMass ratio effects underlie ecosystem responses to environmental a855-8640 v1083 a

1. Random species loss has been shown experimentally to reduce ecosystem function, sometimes more than other anthropogenic environmental changes. Yet, controversy surrounds the importance of this finding for natural systems where species loss is non‐random.
2. We compiled data from 16 multi‐year experiments located at a single native tallgrass prairie site. These experiments included responses to 11 anthropogenic environmental changes, as well as non‐random biodiversity loss either the removal of uncommon/rare plant species or the most common (dominant) species.
3. As predicted by the mass ratio hypothesis, loss of a dominant species had large impacts on productivity that were comparable to other anthropogenic drivers. In contrast, the loss of uncommon/rare species had small effects on productivity despite having the largest effects on species richness.
4. The anthropogenic drivers that had the largest effects on productivity nitrogen, irrigation, and fire experienced not only loss of species but also significant changes in the abundance and identity of dominant species.
5. Synthesis. These results suggest that mass ratio effects, rather than species loss per se, are an important determinant of ecosystem function with environmental change.

1 aSmith, M.D.1 aKoerner, S.E.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aAvolio, M.L.1 aChaves, F.A.1 aDenton, E.M.1 aDietrich, J.1 aGibson, D.J.1 aGray, J.1 aHoffman, A.M.1 aHoover, D.L.1 aKomatsu, Kimberly, J.1 aSilletti, A.1 aWilcox, K.R.1 aYu, Q.1 aBlair, John, M. uhttps://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2745.1333000598nas a2200169 4500008004100000245009600041210006900137300001200206490000800218100002000226700002200246700003000268700002100298700002400319700002400343856006100367 2020 eng d00aMeta-analysis reveals declines in terrestrial but increases in freshwater insect abundances0 aMetaanalysis reveals declines in terrestrial but increases in fr a417-4200 v3681 avan Klink, Roel1 aBowler, Diana, E.1 aGongalsky, Konstantin, B.1 aSwengel, Ann, B.1 aGentile, Alessandro1 aChase, Jonathan, M. uhttps://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6489/417.full00420nas a2200109 4500008004100000245011200041210006900153490001200222100001800234700001800252856004000270 2020 eng d00aMicroanatomical traits track climate gradients for a dominant C4 grass species across the Great Plains, USA0 aMicroanatomical traits track climate gradients for a dominant C40 vmcaa1461 aBachle, Seton1 aNippert, J.B. uhttps://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcaa14600604nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010300041210007100144300001400215490000700229100001800236700002000254700001600274700001400290700001800304700001800322700002400340856005800364 2020 eng d00aMicronutrients enhance macronutrient effects in a meta‐analysis of grassland arthropod abundance0 aMicronutrients enhance macronutrient effects in a meta‐analysis  a2273-22880 v291 aPrather, R.M.1 aCastillioni, K.1 aKaspari, M.1 aSouza, L.1 aPrather, C.M.1 aReihart, R.W.1 aWelti, Ellen, A. R. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.1319602824nas a2200169 4500008004100000245012200041210006900163300001100232490000700243520225200250100001902502700001902521700002202540700002102562700001702583856005402600 2019 eng d00aManagement regime and habitat response influence abundance of regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) in tallgrass prairie0 aManagement regime and habitat response influence abundance of re ae028450 v103 a

The >2,570,000‐ha Flint Hills ecoregion of Kansas, USA, harbors the largest remaining contiguous tract of tallgrass prairie in North America, a unique system, as the remainder of North America's tallgrass prairie has succumbed to development and conversion. Consequently, the loss and degradation of tallgrass prairie has reduced populations of many North American prairie‐obligate species including the regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) butterfly. Population abundance and occupied range of regal fritillary have declined >99%, restricting many populations to isolated, remnant patches of tallgrass prairie. Such extensive decline has resulted in consideration of the regal fritillary for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Although it is widely accepted that management practices such as fire, grazing, and haying are necessary to maintain prairie ecosystems, reported responses by regal fritillary to these management regimes have been ambiguous. We tested effects of prescribed fire across short, moderate, and long fire‐return intervals as well as grazing and haying management treatments on regal fritillary density. We also tested the relative influence of habitat characteristics created by these management regimes by measuring density of an obligate host plant (Viola spp.) and canopy cover of woody vegetation, grasses, forbs/ferns, bare ground, and litter. We found density was at least 1.6 times greater in sites burned with a moderate fire‐return interval vs. sites burned with short and long fire‐return intervals. Overall management regardless of fire‐return interval did not have an effect on density. Percent cover of grass had the strongest positive association, while percent cover of woody vegetation had the greatest negative effect on density. Our results indicate that patch‐burning is a viable and perhaps even ideal management strategy for regal fritillary in tallgrass prairie landscapes. Additionally, these results elucidate the importance of fire, particularly when applied at moderate‐return intervals to regal fritillary, and corroborate a growing suite of studies that suggest fire is perhaps not as detrimental to populations of regal fritillary as previously believed.

1 aMcCullough, K.1 aAlbanese, Gene1 aHaukos, David, A.1 aRicketts, A., M.1 aStratton, S. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/21508925/10/803041nas a2200373 4500008004100000245008800041210006900129300001400198490000600212520192100218653001602139653002202155653001602177653002002193100002702213700001902240700002102259700002402280700002602304700002102330700001802351700002302369700001802392700001802410700001702428700002302445700002102468700002002489700002702509700002002536700002302556700002302579856006502602 2019 eng d00aMetaphenomic response of a native prairie soil microbiome to moisture perturbations0 aMetaphenomic response of a native prairie soil microbiome to moi ae00061-190 v43 a

Climate change is causing shifts in precipitation patterns in the central grasslands of the United States, with largely unknown consequences on the collective physiological responses of the soil microbial community, i.e., the metaphenome. Here, we used an untargeted omics approach to determine the soil microbial community’s metaphenomic response to soil moisture and to define specific metabolic signatures of the response. Specifically, we aimed to develop the technical approaches and metabolic mapping framework necessary for future systematic ecological studies. We collected soil from three locations at the Konza Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) field station in Kansas, and the soils were incubated for 15 days under dry or wet conditions and compared to field-moist controls. The microbiome response to wetting or drying was determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics, and the resulting shifts in taxa, gene expression, and metabolites were assessed. Soil drying resulted in significant shifts in both the composition and function of the soil microbiome. In contrast, there were few changes following wetting. The combined metabolic and metatranscriptomic data were used to generate reaction networks to determine the metaphenomic response to soil moisture transitions. Site location was a strong determinant of the response of the soil microbiome to moisture perturbations. However, some specific metabolic pathways changed consistently across sites, including an increase in pathways and metabolites for production of sugars and other osmolytes as a response to drying. Using this approach, we demonstrate that despite the high complexity of the soil habitat, it is possible to generate insight into the effect of environmental change on the soil microbiome and its physiology and functions, thus laying the groundwork for future, targeted studies.

10ametaphenome10ametatranscriptome10amulti-omics10asoil microbiome1 aChowdhury, Taniya, Roy1 aLee, Joon-Yong1 aBottos, Eric, M.1 aBrislawn, Colin, J.1 aWhite, Richard, Allen1 aBramer, Lisa, M.1 aBrown, Joseph1 aZucker, Jeremy, D.1 aKim, Young-Mo1 aJumpponen, A.1 aRice, C., W.1 aFansler, Sarah, J.1 aMetz, Thomas, O.1 aMcCue, Lee, Ann1 aCallister, Stephen, J.1 aSong, Hyun-Seob1 aJansson, Janet, K.1 aHallam, Steven, J. uhttp://msystems.asm.org/lookup/doi/10.1128/mSystems.00061-1903015nas a2200229 4500008004100000245007000041210006900111300000800180490000600188520230300194653002502497653002502522653002202547653002802569653001302597653001402610653002402624100002002648700002102668700002602689856007002715 2019 eng d00aMigration patterns of upland sandpipers in the western hemisphere0 aMigration patterns of upland sandpipers in the western hemispher a4260 v73 a

Integrated models of the ecology of migratory species require tracking of individual migratory organisms throughout the annual cycle. Here, we report the first information on the movement patterns of nine Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) that were captured at breeding sites in Kansas and Massachusetts, and tracked with GPS and PTT tags to non-breeding sites in South America. Upland Sandpipers were extreme migrants that regularly made non-stop flights that were >5,000 km in length and lasted up to 7 days. Sandpipers traveled up to 20,000 km per year in their annual movements. Our project resulted in a series of new discoveries. Sandpipers regularly crossed major ecological barriers during migration, which included long oceanic flights, high elevation mountains, and tropical forests. Migrating birds used known stopover sites in the central flyway of North America and eastern slope of the Andes in South America, and a subset of birds wintered in core non-breeding sites in the Pampas ecoregion of Uruguay and Argentina. We documented new staging sites at canefields in the mountain valleys of Colombia, grasslands in the Llanos of Venezuela, and at airports along the Atlantic Coast of the US. Unexpectedly, some sandpipers spent the non-breeding season on river islands in the Amazon basin, and pastures in the Cerrado ecoregion of Brazil; areas not previously known to host overwintering Upland Sandpipers. Like many other migratory birds in the Western Hemisphere, Upland Sandpipers had elliptical migration routes within the Southern Hemisphere, moved among separate activity areas during the non-breeding season, migrated faster during northbound than southbound migration, and spent more time at non-breeding than breeding sites. Collectively, the birds used sites across much of northern South America as a broad front migrant. Overall, the migratory patterns of Upland Sandpipers were more similar to migratory landbirds than to shorebirds that typically stage at wetlands and coastal estuaries. Upland Sandpipers should be buffered against habitat loss and degradation at local sites within their migratory range, but it may be difficult to protect specific sites or broad landscapes that would be needed to conserve a high percentage of the global population.

10aBartramia longicauda10aelliptical migration10afull annual cycle10along-distance migration10aseasonal10aSpace use10atransoceanic flight1 aHill, Jason, M.1 aSandercock, B.K.1 aRenfrew, Rosalind, B. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2019.00426/full02172nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008500041210006900126300001400195490000600209520172400215100002001939700002601959856005301985 2019 eng d00aMigratory patterns and connectivity of two North American grassland bird species0 aMigratory patterns and connectivity of two North American grassl a680 - 6920 v93 a

Effective management and conservation of migratory bird populations require knowledge and incorporation of their movement patterns and space use throughout the annual cycle. To investigate the little‐known migratory patterns of two grassland bird species, we deployed 180 light‐level geolocators on Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) and 29 Argos‐GPS tags on Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) at Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA, and six US Department of Defense (DoD) installations distributed across the species' breeding ranges. We analyzed location data from 34 light‐level geolocators and five Argos‐GPS tags attached for 1 year to Grasshopper Sparrows and Eastern Meadowlarks, respectively. Grasshopper Sparrows were present on the breeding grounds from mid‐April through early October, substantially longer than previously estimated, and migrated on average ~2,500 km over ~30 days. Grasshopper Sparrows exhibited strong migratory connectivity only at a continental scale. The North American Great Lakes region likely serves as a migratory divide for Midwest and East Coast Grasshopper Sparrows; Midwest populations (Kansas, Wisconsin, and North Dakota; n = 13) largely wintered in Texas or Mexico, whereas East Coast populations (Maryland and Massachusetts, n = 20) wintered in the northern Caribbean or Florida. Our data from Eastern Meadowlarks provided evidence for a diversity of stationary and short‐ and long‐distance migration strategies. By providing the most extensive examination of the nonbreeding movement ecology for these two North American grassland bird species to date, we refine information gaps and provide key insight for their management and conservation.

1 aHill, Jason, M.1 aRenfrew, Rosalind, B. uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ece3.2019.9.issue-102010nas a2200277 4500008004100000022001400041245009300055210006900148300001600217490000700233520117700240100001601417700001701433700001301450700002101463700002101484700001901505700002001524700002801544700002301572700002201595700001701617700001601634700002001650856006201670 2019 eng d a1461-023X00aMore salt, please: global patterns, responses and impacts of foliar sodium in grasslands0 aMore salt please global patterns responses and impacts of foliar a1136 - 11440 v223 a

Sodium is unique among abundant elemental nutrients, because most plant species do not require it for growth or development, whereas animals physiologically require sodium. Foliar sodium influences consumption rates by animals and can structure herbivores across landscapes. We quantified foliar sodium in 201 locally abundant, herbaceous species representing 32 families and, at 26 sites on four continents, experimentally manipulated vertebrate herbivores and elemental nutrients to determine their effect on foliar sodium. Foliar sodium varied taxonomically and geographically, spanning five orders of magnitude. Site‐level foliar sodium increased most strongly with site aridity and soil sodium; nutrient addition weakened the relationship between aridity and mean foliar sodium. Within sites, high sodium plants declined in abundance with fertilisation, whereas low sodium plants increased. Herbivory provided an explanation: herbivores selectively reduced high nutrient, high sodium plants. Thus, interactions among climate, nutrients and the resulting nutritional value for herbivores determine foliar sodium biogeography in herbaceous‐dominated systems.

1 aBorer, E.T.1 aLind, E., M.1 aFirn, J.1 aSeabloom, E., W.1 aAnderson, T., M.1 aBakker, E., S.1 aBiederman, L.A.1 aLa Pierre, Kimberly, J.1 aMacDougall, A., S.1 aMoore, Joslin, L.1 aRice, C., W.1 aschütz, M.1 aStevens, C., J. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ele.1327003394nas a2200301 4500008004100000245010300041210006900144300001400213490000800227520246100235100002202696700002302718700002402741700001702765700001602782700002302798700001802821700002202839700002802861700001802889700002202907700002302929700002202952700002302974700002702997700001603024856005203040 2018 eng d00aMean annual precipitation predicts primary production resistance and resilience to extreme drought0 aMean annual precipitation predicts primary production resistance a360 - 3660 v6363 a

Extreme drought is increasing in frequency and intensity in many regions globally, with uncertain consequences for the resistance and resilience of ecosystem functions, including primary production. Primary production resistance, the capacity to withstand change during extreme drought, and resilience, the degree to which production recovers, vary among and within ecosystem types, obscuring generalized patterns of ecological stability. Theory and many observations suggest forest production is more resistant but less resilient than grassland production to extreme drought; however, studies of production sensitivity to precipitation variability indicate that the processes controlling resistance and resilience may be influenced more by mean annual precipitation (MAP) than ecosystem type. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis to investigate primary production resistance and resilience to extreme drought in 64 forests and grasslands across a broad MAP gradient. We found resistance to extreme drought was predicted by MAP; however, grasslands (positive) and forests (negative) exhibited opposing resilience relationships with MAP. Our findings indicate that common plant physiological mechanisms may determine grassland and forest resistance to extreme drought, whereas differences among plant residents in turnover time, plant architecture, and drought adaptive strategies likely underlie divergent resilience patterns. The low resistance and resilience of dry grasslands suggests that these ecosystems are the most vulnerable to extreme drought – a vulnerability that is expected to compound as extreme drought frequency increases in the future.

 

1 aHaëntjens, Ellen1 aDe Boeck, Hans, J.1 aLemoine, Nathan, P.1 aMänd, Pille1 aDulay, K.G.1 aSchmidt, Inger, K.1 aJentsch, Anke1 aStampfli, Andreas1 aAnderegg, William, R.L.1 aBahn, Michael1 aKreyling, Juergen1 aWohlgemuth, Thomas1 aLloret, Francisco1 aClassen, T.Aimée.1 aGough, Christopher, M.1 aSmith, M.D. uhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.29003068nas a2200349 4500008004100000245014000041210006900181300000900250490000600259520197400265653001702239653001902256653002002275653001702295653001902312653001902331653002002350100002402370700002202394700002302416700002602439700001902465700001602484700002502500700001702525700002302542700001702565700002502582700002202607700002302629856006602652 2018 eng d00aMicrobial community structure and functional potential in cultivated and native tallgrass prairie soils of the midwestern united states0 aMicrobial community structure and functional potential in cultiv a17750 v93 a

The North American prairie covered about 3.6 million-km2 of the continent prior to European contact. Only 1–2% of the original prairie remains, but the soils that developed under these prairies are some of the most productive and fertile in the world, containing over 35% of the soil carbon in the continental United States. Cultivation may alter microbial diversity and composition, influencing the metabolism of carbon, nitrogen, and other elements. Here, we explored the structure and functional potential of the soil microbiome in paired cultivated-corn (at the time of sampling) and never-cultivated native prairie soils across a three-states transect (Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kansas) using metagenomic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipid analysis. At the Wisconsin site, we also sampled adjacent restored prairie and switchgrass plots. We found that agricultural practices drove differences in community composition and diversity across the transect. Microbial biomass in prairie samples was twice that of cultivated soils, but alpha diversity was higher with cultivation. Metagenome analyses revealed denitrification and starch degradation genes were abundant across all soils, as were core genes involved in response to osmotic stress, resource transport, and environmental sensing. Together, these data indicate that cultivation shifted the microbiome in consistent ways across different regions of the prairie, but also suggest that many functions are resilient to changes caused by land management practices – perhaps reflecting adaptations to conditions common to tallgrass prairie soils in the region (e.g., soil type, parent material, development under grasses, temperature and rainfall patterns, and annual freeze-thaw cycles). These findings are important for understanding the long-term consequences of land management practices to prairie soil microbial communities and their genetic potential to carry out key functions.

10acarbon cycle10aClimate change10aLand management10ametagenomics10anative prairie10anitrogen cycle10asoil microbiome1 aMackelprang, Rachel1 aGrube, Alyssa, M.1 aLamendella, Regina1 aJesus, Ederson, da C.1 aCopeland, Alex1 aLiang, Chao1 aJackson, Randall, D.1 aRice, C., W.1 aKapucija, Stefanie1 aParsa, Bayan1 aTringe, Susannah, G.1 aTiedje, James, M.1 aJansson, Janet, K. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.0177503127nas a2200205 4500008004100000245007500041210006900116300001400185490000800199520248700207100002502694700002202719700001702741700002002758700002002778700002502798700002802823700002102851856004902872 2018 eng d00aMycorrhizal symbioses influence the trophic structure of the Serengeti0 aMycorrhizal symbioses influence the trophic structure of the Ser a536 - 5460 v1063 a
  1. It is known that tropical grasslands such as Serengeti host large populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and that they respond to abiotic and biotic factors. It is also known that AM symbioses are important for the uptake of essential plant nutrients, which, in turn, influences the biomass and nutritional quality of herbivores and their predators. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of AM symbioses on the biomass of different trophic levels of an ecosystem.
  2. To do this, we first measured the neutral lipid fatty acid biomarker 16:1ω5 to estimate the biomass of AM fungi in a long‐term grazing exclusion experiment. Then, we used model selection of Bayesian linear regressions to infer the primary factors that influence AM fungal biomass. Using model selection of different combinations of soil characteristics, we selected the best model using the leave‐one‐out cross‐validation information criterion. Finally, we used the Madingley model to simulate the influence of AM fungi on higher trophic levels. We combined spatially explicit information about soil phosphorus and AM fungal biomass to explore the emergent patterns of the Serengeti resulting from AM symbioses.
  3. Our Bayesian analysis indicated that total soil phosphorus was the strongest predictor of AM fungal biomass, and there were significant interactions with grazing. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal biomass is lowest in soil where phosphorus is limited and increases with increasing phosphorus concentration. Biomass was also significantly higher in plots that were not grazed. The Madingley model indicated that nutritional benefits of AM symbioses maintain a substantial proportion of the biomass across all trophic levels.
  4. Synthesis. Our analysis shows that inputs of phosphorus through arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses substantially increase the ability of plants to grow and maintain nutritional quality, cascading through the biomass of consumers and predators in the ecosystem. Although they account for less than 1% of the total modelled biomass, the predicted nutritional benefit provided by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased the biomass of macro‐organisms in the Serengeti by 48%. When considering the management of biodiversity, future ecosystem models should account for the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on all trophic levels.

 

1 aStevens, Bo, Maxwell1 aPropster, Jeffrey1 aWilson, G.T.1 aAbraham, Andrew1 aRidenour, Chase1 aDoughty, Christopher1 aJohnson, Nancy, Collins1 aWurzburger, Nina uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/1365-2745.1291602039nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011200041210006900153300001200222490000700234520138600241653001101627653001801638653002201656653002601678653002101704100001601725700001701741856008701758 2016 eng d00aMechanisms driving the soil organic matter decomposition response to nitrogen enrichment in grassland soils0 aMechanisms driving the soil organic matter decomposition respons a54 - 650 v993 a

Empirical studies show that nitrogen (N) addition often reduces microbial decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production via microbial respiration. Although predictions from theoretical models support these findings, the mechanisms that drive this response remain unclear. To address this uncertainty, we sampled soils of three grassland sites in the U.S. Central Great Plains that each have received seven years of continuous experimental nutrient addition in the field. Nitrogen addition significantly decreased the decomposition rate of slowly cycling SOM and the cumulative carbon (C) respired per mass soil C. We evaluated whether this effect of N addition on microbial respiration resulted from: 1) increased microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE), 2) decreased microbial oxidative enzyme activity, or 3) decreased microbial biomass due to plant and/or soil mediated responses to N enrichment. In contrast to our hypotheses – as well as results from N addition studies in forest ecosystems and theoretical predictions – N did not increase microbial CUE or decrease microbial oxidative enzyme activity. Instead, reduced microbial biomass likely caused the decreased respiration in response to N enrichment. Identifying what factors drive this decreased microbial biomass response to N should be a priority for further inquiry.

10acarbon10aFertilization10aMicrobial biomass10aMicrobial respiration10aNutrient Network1 aRiggs, C.E.1 aHobbie, S.E. uhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0038071716300608?via%3Dihub02310nas a2200169 4500008004100000245007800041210006900119300001400188490000700202520176200209100001501971700001801986700002302004700001902027700002102046856007302067 2016 eng d00aMethods of approximation influence aquatic ecosystem metabolism estimates0 aMethods of approximation influence aquatic ecosystem metabolism  a557 - 5690 v143 a

Aquatic ecologists have recently employed dynamic models to estimate aquatic ecosystem metabolism. All approaches involve numerically solving a differential equation describing dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics. Although the DO differential equation can be solved accurately with linear multistep or Runge–Kutta methods, less accurate methods, such as the Euler method, have been applied. The methods also differ in how discrete temperature and light measurements are used to drive DO dynamics. Here, we used a representative stream DO data set to compare the metabolism estimates generated by multiple Euler based methods and an accurate numerical method. We also compared metabolism estimates using linear, piecewise constant and smoothing spline interpolation of light and temperature. Using observed DO to calculate DO saturation deficit in the Euler method results in a substantial difference in metabolism estimates compared to all other methods. If modeled DO is used to calculate DO saturation deficit, the Euler method introduces smaller error in metabolism estimates, which diminishes as logging interval decreases. Linear and smoothing spline interpolation result in similar metabolism estimates, but differ from estimates based on piecewise constant interpolation. We demonstrate how different computational methods imply distinct assumptions about process and observation error, and conclude that under the assumption of observation error, the best practice is to use the accurate numerical method of solving differential equation with a continuous interpolation of light and temperature. The Euler method will introduce minimal error if it is paired with frequently logged data and DO saturation deficit is computed using modeled DO.

1 aSong, Chao1 aDodds, W., K.1 aTrentman, Matt, T.1 aRüegg, Janine1 aBallantyne, Ford uhttps://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lom3.1011200491nas a2200121 4500008004100000245009900041210006900140260004300209490001600252100002600268700002200294856005300316 2016 eng d00aA multi-scale examination of the distribution and habitat use patterns of the regal fritillary0 amultiscale examination of the distribution and habitat use patte aManhattan, KSbKansas State University0 vMS Thesis, 1 aMcCullough, Kelsey.E.1 aHaukos, David, A. uhttp://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/3450202431nas a2200121 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125490001200194520199600206100001802202700001802220856007102238 2015 eng d00aMutualism-parasitism paradigm synthesized from results of root-endophyte models0 aMutualismparasitism paradigm synthesized from results of rootend0 v5: e7763 a

Plant tissues host a variety of fungi. One important group is the dark septate endophytes (DSEs) that colonize plant roots and form characteristic intracellular structures – melanized hyphae and microsclerotia. The DSE associations are common and frequently observed in various biomes and plant taxa. Reviews suggest that the proportion of plant species colonized by DSE equal that colonized by AM and microscopic studies show that the proportion of the root system colonized by fungi DSE can equal, or even exceed, the colonization by AM fungi. Despite the high frequency and suspected ecological importance, the effects of DSE colonization on plant growth and performance have remained unclear. Here, we draw from over a decade of experimentation with the obscure DSE symbiosis and synthesize across large bodies of published and unpublished data from Arabidopsis thaliana and Allium porrum model systems as well as from experiments that use native plants to better resolve the host responses to DSE colonization. The data indicate similar distribution of host responses in model and native plant studies, validating the use of model plants for tractable dissection of DSE symbioses. The available data also permit empirical testing of the environmental modulation of host responses to DSE colonization and refining the “mutualism-parasitism-continuum” paradigm for DSE symbioses. These data highlight the context dependency of the DSE symbioses: not only plant species but also ecotypes vary in their responses to populations of conspecific DSE fungi – environmental conditions further shift the host responses similar to those predicted based on the mutualism-parasitism-continuum paradigm. The model systems provide several established avenues of inquiry that permit more detailed molecular and functional dissection of fungal endophyte symbioses, identifying thus likely mechanisms that may underlie the observed host responses to endophyte colonization.

1 aMandyam, K.G.1 aJumpponen, A. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2014.00776/full01949nas a2200181 4500008004100000245005400041210005400095300001500149490000800164520142600172653001801598100001801616700001701634700001701651700001701668700001501685856006701700 2015 eng d00aMycorrhizal phenotypes and the law of the minimum0 aMycorrhizal phenotypes and the law of the minimum a1473 -14840 v2053 a

Mycorrhizal phenotypes arise from interactions among plant and fungal genotypes and the environment. Differences in the stoichiometry and uptake capacity of fungi and plants make arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi inherently more nitrogen (N) limited and less phosphorus (P) limited than their host plants. Mutualistic phenotypes are most likely in P-limited systems and commensal or parasitic phenotypes in N-limited systems. Carbon (C) limitation is expected to cause phenotypes to shift from mutualism to commensalism and even parasitism. Two experiments compared the influence of fertilizer and shade on mycorrhizas in Andropogon gerardii across three naturally N-limited or P-limited grasslands. A third experiment examined the interactive effects of N and P enrichment and shade on A. gerardii mycorrhizas. Our experiments generated the full spectrum of mycorrhizal phenotypes. These findings support the hypothesis that mutualism is likely in P-limited systems and commensalism or parasitism is likely in N-limited systems. Furthermore, shade decreased C-assimilation and generated less mutualistic mycorrhizal phenotypes with reduced plant and fungal biomass. Soil fertility is a key controller of mycorrhizal costs and benefits and the Law of the Minimum is a useful predictor of mycorrhizal phenotype. In our experimental grasslands arbuscular mycorrhizas can ameliorate P-limitation but not N-limitation.

10astoichiometry1 aJohnson, N.C.1 aWilson, G.T.1 aWilson, J.A.1 aMiller, R.M.1 aBowker, M. uhttps://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.1317203216nas a2200169 4500008004100000245008000041210006900121260004300190490002200233520264900255653002202904653003302926653001702959100001602976700001702992856003703009 2014 eng d00aA mechanistic framework for understanding prairie stream fish distributions0 amechanistic framework for understanding prairie stream fish dist aManhattan, KSbKansas State University0 vPhD. Dissertation3 a

A fundamental goal of ecology is to understand environmental associations of species. These associations can provide a basis for predicting spatial distributions in contemporary habitats as well as how those distributions might change in response to anthropogenic environmental change. Developing species distribution models is limited by an incomplete understanding of functional traits, spatial scaling, and the mechanisms and generalities of correlations among abundance and environmental gradients. I address these four issues using observational and experimental approaches. First, I tested opposing mechanisms of community assembly by measuring the dispersion (i.e., diversity) of three types of functional strategies at three spatial scales and along environmental gradients. I found that communities are assembled via abiotic environmental filtering, but the strength of this filtering depends on the spatial scale of investigation, longitudinal network position, and type of functional strategy. Second, I quantified community-environment relationships across thirteen sub-basins, nested within the three major basins within Kansas to evaluate the consistency (i.e., generality) in predictive capability of environmental variables among sub-basins and across spatial extents. I found that longitudinal network position is consistently the strongest predictor of community composition among sub-basins, but in-stream and catchment predictors become stronger correlates of community composition with increasing spatial extent. Third, I used environmental niche models to quantify distributions of four pairs of congeneric cyprinids and found that species within each pair exhibited contrasting stream-size preferences. I then used field experiments to test for differences in individual-level performance between one pair of species (Pimephales notatus and P. vigilax) along a gradient of stream size. I found that adult spawn success and juvenile growth and condition increased with stream size for both species, indicating that these congeners respond similarly to abiotic gradients associated with the river continuum. I concluded that complementary distributions are a consequence of biotic interactions, differential environmental filtering evident in an unmeasured performance metric, or differential environmental filtering by an environmental factor operating at longer timescales. These studies demonstrate the context dependencies of characterizing habitat associations of stream fishes, but also reveal the general importance of stream size and associated environmental gradients in structuring stream fish communities.

10aCommunity ecology10aEnvironmental niche modeling10aFish ecology1 aTroia, M.J.1 aGido, K., B. uhttp://hdl.handle.net/2097/1728502482nas a2200253 4500008004100000245009700041210006900138300001400207490000700221520169100228653002401919653001201943653001901955653002101974653002501995653001902020653002602039653002502065653001702090100001902107700001902126700002202145856006102167 2014 eng d00aMismatched begging displays between foreign and host offspring reduce brood parasite fitness0 aMismatched begging displays between foreign and host offspring r a785 - 7930 v253 a

Obligate brood parasites must obtain food from unrelated host parents during the developmental period, and this may be especially difficult when parasitic nestlings are raised alone. Unlike specialist brood parasites, generalist brood parasites use a single begging display for a range of host species. In this study, we 1) tested whether the begging display of the generalist brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) was more exaggerated than the closely related, nonparasitic red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) and 2) examined how begging displays were linked to food provisioning when both foreign species were raised by the Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii), a small cowbird host. We also quantified parental provisioning to unparasitized broods containing 1–4 vireo nestlings to provide a reference provisioning curve to provide context for assessing the feeding rate to foreign offspring. We found blackbirds begged as intensely as (or more intensely than) cowbird nestlings, vireo parents provisioned both species similarly, and the amount of food provisioned to unparasitized broods increased with brood size and maintained per-capita vireo growth. However, feeding of a single foreign nestling was significantly less than that of a modal brood of 4 vireos, indicating parents fed foreign nestlings at submaximal rates. Vireos did not respond to begging of foreign nestlings in the same manner as their own offspring, and this led to significant fitness costs for foreign nestlings. We conclude that a single foreign nestling provided an inadequate stimulus for vireos, probably because of a mismatch between the begging displays of foreign and host offspring.

10aAgelaius phoeniceus10abegging10aBell’s vireo10abrood parasitism10abrown-headed cowbird10aMolothrus ater10aprovisioning behavior10ared-winged blackbird10aVireo bellii1 aRivers, J., W.1 aBlundell, M.A.1 aRothstein, S., I. uhttps://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/25/4/785/290052803655nas a2200133 4500008004100000245014400041210006900185260004800254490002100302520312300323100001403446700002303460856003803483 2014 eng d00aMoving beyond mass loss: advancing understanding about the fate of decomposing leaf litter and pyrogenic organic matter in the mineral soil0 aMoving beyond mass loss advancing understanding about the fate o aFort Collins, CObColorado State University0 vPhD Dissertation3 a

Leaf litter decomposition recycles the energy and nutrients fixed by plants during net primary productivity back to the soil and atmosphere from where they came. Traditionally, leaf litter decomposition studies have focused on litter mass loss rates, without consideration for where that mass ends up in the ecosystem. However, during litter decomposition by soil microbes a fraction of the litter mass lost is truly lost to the ecosystem as respired CO2, while another fraction remains in the ecosystem stored in the soil as soil organic matter (SOM). SOM is heterogeneous in composition, with various SOM pools remaining stored in the soil for time spans ranging from days to millennia depending on their biochemical and physical properties. Pyrogenic organic matter (py-OM) is the partially combusted plant residue left behind by fires, and has been found to contribute to long term SOM pools. SOM accounts for the largest terrestrial pool of carbon (C) in the global C cycle and stores nitrogen (N) and other nutrients for plant productivity. Therefore the formation of SOM during litter decomposition is critical to terrestrial C and N cycling and its feedback to global biogeochemical cycles. The focus of my dissertation is the study of leaf litter and py-OM decomposition, and quantitatively tracing how much decomposing litter and py-OM is used by soil microbes, how much is lost as CO2, and how much remains in the soil and contributes to SOM formation under different conditions. In order to best address my research questions, I first studied the methods of leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and 13C and 15N isotope labeling of plant material in the laboratory. Then, I conducted a laboratory incubation where I found that the amount of hot water extractable C and the lignocellulose index (Lignin/(lignin+cellulose)) can be used to predict DOM leaching, and the partitioning of C loss between DOC and CO2 from leaves and py-OM during decomposition. I also conducted two field studies using 13C and 15N labeled Andropogon gerardii leaf litter and py-OM to trace the fate of C and N losses during their decomposition in a fire affected tallgrass prairie, and understand the role of soil microarthropods in this process. I found that soil microarthropods increase the amount of leaf litter C that contributes to stabilized SOM formation during litter decomposition, by increasing litter inputs to the soil where they can be utilized by soil microbes. Finally, I found that frequent inputs of py-OM, rather than litter, due to annual burning of the tallgrass prairie alters the SOM formation process by removing relatively labile litter inputs to the soil and replacing it with py-OM that is unusable by soil microbes. Overall, my dissertation has focused on taking a mechanistic approach to understanding the process of litter and py-OM decomposition, and how their decomposition contributes to SOM formation and ecosystem CO2 fluxes. My results have helped to improve our understanding of terrestrial biogeochemistry, and the processes that control SOM formation during litter decomposition.

1 aSoong, J.1 aCotrufo, Francesca uhttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/8381903159nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010400041210006900145260004900214490001400263520266500277100002102942700001702963856004502980 2013 eng d00aMacroinvertebrate responses to removal of riparian woody vegetation along tallgrass prairie streams0 aMacroinvertebrate responses to removal of riparian woody vegetat aCarbondale, ILbSouthern Illinois University0 vMS Thesis3 a

Woody vegetation encroachment has become a major threat to tallgrass prairie streams mainly because of fire suppression. This process converts prairie streams from open to closed canopy systems. The effects of these riparian changes are poorly understood, but the relative importance of basal resources presumably shifts from primarily autochthonous to allochthonous with increasing canopy cover, potentially altering macroinvertebrate functional structure and production. To assess the effects of woody vegetation encroachment on stream ecosystem structure and function, riparian trees were removed from two headwater stream reaches on the Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS) in eastern Kansas. Experimental stream reaches were compared to streams with naturally open and closed canopies before and after the manipulation. Benthic organic matter and macroinvertebrates were collected monthly from each reach for one year before and one year after woody vegetation removal. Total community production in canopy removal reaches ranged from 8.9-10.2 g AFDM m-2 y-1 before riparian removal, and this increased significantly to 13.4-14.5 g AFDM m-2 y-1 after riparian removal. Scraper production in canopy removal reaches was 2.8-3.9 g AFDM m-2 y-1 before riparian removal, and increased significantly to 6.0-8.7 g AFDM m-2 y-1 after riparian removal, presumably due to enhanced food availability. Total community production in naturally open reaches ranged from 7.6-12.6 g AFDM m-2 y-1 before riparian removal and decreased to 6.5-9.8 g AFDM m-2 y-1 after riparian removal. Riparian forest removal altered macroinvertebrate production and functional structure, but higher macroinvertebrate production in canopy removal reaches compared to naturally open reaches suggested natural conditions were not restored one year after riparian removal. However, macroinvertebrate communities in naturally open and canopy removal reaches became more similar after riparian removal. Functional structure, based on production, in naturally open and canopy removal reaches after riparian removal was dominated by scrapers (45-60% of total production), with similar proportions of collector-gatherers (12-26%) and predators (15-25%). Collector-filterers and shredders contributed < 9% of total production in naturally open and canopy removal reaches after riparian removal. Results demonstrate that woody vegetation encroachment and riparian forest removal significantly influence tallgrass prairie stream structure and function. Information from this study can help inform and guide management, restoration, and conservation of remaining tallgrass prairie streams.

1 aVandermyde, J.M.1 aWhiles, M.R. uhttp://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1068/02711nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161300001300230490000700243520222000250100001702470700001602487856007402503 2013 eng d00aMechanisms of selection: Phenotypic differences among genotypes explain patterns of selection in a dominant species0 aMechanisms of selection Phenotypic differences among genotypes e a953 -9650 v943 a

Predicted changes in precipitation means and variability are expected to alter genotype composition of plant populations; however, it remains unclear whether selection will be for trait differences among genotypes or phenotypic plasticity. This is especially true for more variable precipitation patterns that simultaneously alter soil moisture means and variability. In a previous study we found that a decade of more variable growing-season precipitation patterns changed the genotypic composition of a dominant C4 grass population (Andropogon gerardii) in native tallgrass prairie located in northeastern Kansas. Here, we assessed potential mechanisms underlying the changes observed in population structure of this species by studying how changes in both the size and variability of watering events affected ecophysiological, growth, biomass-allocation, and fitness traits of five common genotypes of A. gerardii in a greenhouse experiment. Three of these genotypes had greater abundances or were only present in field plots receiving 10 years of greater intra-annual variability in growing-season precipitation patterns. In a fully factorial experiment, we subjected the five genotypes to three water amounts (average for Kansan study site, a 40% decrease, and a 60% increase) and two watering frequency treatments (every 5 or 10 days) to produce differences in soil moisture amount and variability, respectively. We found genotype × water amount interactions for traits related to leaf-level physiology and biomass allocation; in many cases genotypes that performed better under low soil moisture conditions were outperformed by other genotypes under high soil moisture conditions. For the three genotypes that had greater abundance in field plots that received more variable precipitation patterns, we found evidence that genotypes differed in their allocation to above- vs. belowground biomass, demonstrating phenotypic trait divergence. Our results suggest that a genetically diverse population can have enough trait variation among genotypes for adaptation to occur, and thus, for dominant species, microevolution may be an important aspect of adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

1 aAvolio, M.L.1 aSmith, M.D. uhttps://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/12-1119.102554nas a2200145 4500008004100000245006300041210006300104300001500167490000700182520209800189100001402287700001702301700001602318856007402334 2012 eng d00aMaternal allocation and offspring characteristics in Bison0 aMaternal allocation and offspring characteristics in Bison a1628 -16390 v223 a

Parental allocation strategies are of profound interest in life history because they directly impact offspring fitness and therefore are highly valuable for understanding population dynamics and informing management decisions. Yet, numerous questions about reproductive allocation patterns for wild populations of large mammals remain unanswered because of the challenges for measuring allocation in the wild. Using a nine-year longitudinal data set on life-history traits of mother–calf bison pairs, we identified sources of variation in relative maternal allocation (calf mass ratio on mother mass) and assessed the occurrence of reproductive costs associated with differential maternal allocation. We found that heavy mothers provided a lower allocation but still produced heavier calves than light mothers. Older females produced lighter calves and tended to decrease allocation as they aged, supporting the occurrence of reproductive senescence. Mothers that had produced a calf the previous year produced lighter calves and allocated less than mothers that did not lactate the previous year, revealing reproductive costs. However, greater maternal allocation did not reduce the probability of breeding in successive years, and the amount of allocation provided by a mother was positively correlated among the offspring she produced, illustrating individual heterogeneity. Although life-history studies are usually classified as either supporting costs of reproduction or individual quality, our study demonstrates that these contrasting evolutionary forces can shape variation within a single trait. Our work illustrates that many processes can coevolve within a population, emphasizing the need to integrate multiple concepts to better understand the evolution of life-history traits. With regard to management of bison herds, if the goal of culling programs is to select for animals with the best performance, this research suggests that managers should account for the condition and previous reproductive status of mothers when taking culling decisions on juvenile bison.

1 aHamel, S.1 aCraine, J.M.1 aTowne, E.G. uhttps://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/11-2181.102191nas a2200217 4500008004100000245005400041210005400095300001500149490000800164520158300172653002401755653002301779653002101802653001401823653000901837100001701846700001701863700001101880700001601891856006601907 2012 eng d00aMeasuring genetic diversity in ecological studies0 aMeasuring genetic diversity in ecological studies a1105 -11150 v2133 a

There is an increasing interest in how genetic diversity may correlate with and influence community and ecosystem properties. Genetic diversity can be defined in multiple ways, and currently lacking in ecology is a consensus on how to measure genetic diversity. Here, we examine two broad classes of genetic diversity: genotype-based and genome-based measures. Genotype-based measures, such as genotypic richness, are more commonly used in ecological studies, and often it is assumed that as genotypic diversity increases, genomic diversity (the number of genetic polymorphisms and/or genomic dissimilarity among individuals) also increases. However, this assumption is rarely assessed. We tested this assumption by investigating correlations between genotype- and genome-based measures of diversity using two plant population genetic datasets: one observational with data collected at Konza Prairie, KS, and the other based on simulated populations with five levels of genotypic richness, a typical design of genetic diversity experiments. We found conflicting results for both datasets; we found a mismatch between genotypic and genomic diversity measures for the field data, but not the simulated data. Last, we tested the consequences of this mismatch and found that correlations between genetic diversity and community/ecosystem properties depended on metric used. Ultimately, we argue that genome-based measures should be included in future studies alongside genotypic-based measures because they capture a greater spectrum of genetic differences among individuals.

10aCommunity diversity10aEcosystem function10aGenome diversity10aPhenotype10aSGDC1 aAvolio, M.L.1 aBeaulieu, J.1 aLo, E.1 aSmith, M.D. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11258-012-0069-603092nas a2200193 4500008004100000245012700041210006900168260004300237300001000280490001400290520242700304653002202731653001802753653003002771653002302801100001802824700001902842856003702861 2012 eng d00aMechanisms driving woody encroachment in the tallgrass prairie: an analysis of fire behavior and physiological integration0 aMechanisms driving woody encroachment in the tallgrass prairie a aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -720 vMS Thesis3 a

Woody encroachment has altered the vegetative structure of grasslands worldwide and represents a potentially irreversible shift in grassland dynamics and biodiversity. Clonal woody species appear to be one of the greatest contributors to the shift from graminoid to woody dominance in the tallgrass prairie. Part of the high success rate of clonal species may be attributed to an ability to circumvent recruitment filters through the integration of environmental heterogeneity and acropetal translocation of resources from mother to daughter ramets. The clonal shrub Cornus drummondii persists in a tension zone of the graminoid-dominated tallgrass prairie, where the dominance structure is primarily maintained through the direct and indirect effects of fire. The competitive displacement of native herbaceous vegetation associated with the establishment and expansion of C. drummondii causes a major alteration in the fuel dynamics responsible for the propagation and sustainment of fire, potentially contributing to biofeedback mechanisms that facilitate shrub expansion. The goal of this research was to quantify fire behavior parameters (temperature, intensity, rate of spread, and heat flux) in relation to C. drummondii invasions and to test physiological integration as a mechanism driving encroachment, using manipulation experiments at the Konza Prairie Biological Station. We observed a significant decrease in fireline intensity associated with the encroachment of C. drummondii, which was amplified by the effects of stem density and shrub island area. This alteration in fire behavior also led to reduced heat flux at stems within shrub islands, reducing the likelihood of tissue necrosis and top-kill. With additional fuel, temperatures and fire intensities were higher, similar to open grasslands. In severing rhizomes, and effectively severing the integration of clonal ramets, we observed a higher risk of mortality of daughter ramets. These rhizome severed ramets were more water stressed, had lower photosynthetic rates, and lower woody and foliar biomass production. These results indicate that C. drummondii significantly alters fire behavior, releasing ramets from the fire trap of successive top-killing, while the integration of intraclonal ramets allows daughter ramets to survive mid-summer drought and increases the likelihood of successful establishment and further clonal reproduction.

10aCornus drummondii10aFire behavior10aPhysiological integration10awoody encroachment1 aKillian, P.D.1 aBriggs, J., M. uhttp://hdl.handle.net/2097/1419701933nas a2200157 4500008004100000245011900041210006900160300001300229490000700242520139800249100001801647700001801665700001801683700001801701856005601719 2012 eng d00aMultiple factors limit use of local sites by Elliot's short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga) in tallgrass prairie0 aMultiple factors limit use of local sites by Elliots shorttailed a210 -2210 v903 a

Spatial variation in abundance has been attributed to habitat heterogeneity and patchiness. Our goal in this research was to understand what factors were associated with spatial patterns of habitat use by Elliot’s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga Elliot, 1899) in tallgrass prairie. Our modeling efforts were based on 20 years (1981–2000) of presence–absence data for shrews at each of 20 stations (local site) along 14 permanent traplines on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, USA. A logistic model accurately predicted the presence of short-tailed shrews at a local site. Probability of shrew occurrence decreased as amount of precipitation decreased, slope steepness increased, grazing increased, or burned area within 500 m of a local site increased. However, when amount of precipitation was low, area burned was high, or grazing occurred, shrews were uncommon and responded little to the other variables. Numbers of shrews were negatively related only to numbers of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)), a mouse that selects burned and grazed habitats that shrews avoid. Our observations suggest that multiple environmental factors limit use of local sites, whereas competition with other species does not. Our results can inform decisions related to conservation of biodiversity given management practices in this endangered ecosystem.

1 aKaufman, G.A.1 aMatlack, R.S.1 aKaufman, D.W.1 aHiggins, J.J. uhttp://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/z11-12800502nas a2200109 4500008004100000245009000041210006900131260004600200490001400246100001600260856011600276 2012 eng d00aA mycorrhizal community is unresponsive to simulated future precipitation variability0 amycorrhizal community is unresponsive to simulated future precip aPhiladelphia, PAbSt. Joseph's University0 vMS Thesis1 aTomeo, N.J. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-community-unresponsive-simulated-future-precipitation-variability01924nas a2200169 4500008004100000245010600041210006900147260004300216490002100259520134400280653001701624653002201641653002201663100001501685700001701700856003701717 2011 eng d00aMulti-scale burned area mapping in tallgrass prairie using in situ spectrometry and satellite imagery0 aMultiscale burned area mapping in tallgrass prairie using in sit aManhattan, KSbKansas State University0 vPhD Dissertation3 a

Prescribed burning in tallgrass prairie affects a wide range of human and natural systems. Consequently, managing this biome based on sound science, and with the concerns of all stakeholders taken into account, requires a method for mapping burned areas. In order to devise such a method, many different spectral ranges and spectral indices were tested for their ability to differentiate burned from unburned areas at both the field and satellite scales. Those bands and/or indices that performed well, as well as two different classification techniques and two different satellite-based sensors, were tested in order to come up with the best combination of band/index, classification technique, and sensor for mapping burned areas in tallgrass prairie. The ideal method used both the red and near-infrared spectral regions, used imagery at a spatial resolution of at least 250 m, used satellite imagery with daily temporal resolution, and used pixel-based classification techniques rather than object-based techniques. Using this method, burned area maps were generated for the Flint Hills for every year from 2000-2010, creating a fire history of the region during that time period. These maps were compared to active fire and burned area products, and these products were found to underestimate burned areas in tallgrass prairie.

10aBurn mapping10aSatellite imagery10atallgrass prairie1 aMohler, R.1 aGoodin, D.G. uhttp://hdl.handle.net/2097/1198602610nas a2200205 4500008004100000245011800041210006900159300001500228490000800243520192600251653003302177653001002210653001402220653002602234653002202260100001902282700001702301700002002318856006602338 2011 eng d00aMycorrhizal suppression alters plant productivity and forb establishment in a grass-dominated prairie restoration0 aMycorrhizal suppression alters plant productivity and forb estab a1675 -16850 v2123 a

A fundamental goal of restoration is the re-establishment of plant diversity representative of native vegetation. However, many prairie restorations or Conservation Reserve Program sites have been seeded with warm-season grasses, leading to grass-dominated, low-diversity restorations not representative of native grasslands. These dominant grasses are strongly mycotrophic, while many subordinate forb species appear to be less dependent on mycorrhizal symbiosis. Therefore, manipulating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may be useful in promoting establishment and growth of forb species in grass-dominated prairie restorations. To assess the potential role of mycorrhizae in affecting the productivity and community composition of restored tallgrass prairie, we conducted a 4-year field experiment on an 8-year-old grassland restoration at the Konza Prairie in northeastern Kansas, USA. At the initiation of our study, seeds of 12 forb species varying in degree of mycorrhizal dependence were added to established grass-dominated plots. Replicate plots were treated bi-weekly with a soil drench of fungicide (Topsin-M®) over four growing seasons and compared to non-treated control plots to assess the role of AMF in affecting plant species composition, productivity, leaf tissue quality, and diversity in restored tallgrass prairie. Topsin applications successfully reduced mycorrhizal colonization of grass roots to approximately 60–80% relative to roots in control plots. Four years of mycorrhizal suppression reduced productivity of the dominant grasses and increased plant species richness and diversity. These results highlight the importance of mycorrhizae as mediators of plant productivity and community dynamics in restored tallgrass prairie and indicate that temporarily suppressing AMF decreases productivity of the dominant C4 grasses and allows for establishment of seeded forb species

10aArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi10aforbs10aFungicide10aGrassland restoration10aWarm-season grass1 aMcCain, K.N.S.1 aWilson, G.T.1 aBlair, John, M. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11258-011-9940-002579nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011200041210006900153260004900222490001400271520208100285100001802366700001702384856004402401 2010 eng d00aMacroinvertebrate production, trophic structure, and energy flow along a tallgrass prairie stream continuum0 aMacroinvertebrate production trophic structure and energy flow a aCarbondale, ILbSouthern Illinois University0 vMS Thesis3 a

Conceptual models of stream continua predict that energy flow and consumer functional structure change predictably with the physical attributes of a stream. To quantify these relationships in a prairie landscape, I estimated macroinvertebrate production, benthic organic matter standing stocks, and resource consumption and egestion by consumer groups along a longitudinal continuum of Kings Creek, a tallgrass prairie stream draining the Konza Prairie Biological Station in Eastern Kansas. I sampled benthic macroinvertebrates for 1 year from three stream reaches, each bordered by distinct riparian vegetation. Riparian vegetation along the continuum ranged from grassy headwaters to shrubby mid-reaches to lower reaches bordered by gallery forest. Total habitat-weighted production ranged from 31.9 g ash-free dry mass (AFDM) m-2 y-1 in the grassy headwater reach to 9.1 g AFDM m-2 y-1 in the shrubby reach to 17.0 g AFDM m-2 y-1 in the gallery forest. Functional group contributions to production generally were similar along the continuum, with collector-gatherers (40%-56% of total) and Predators (23%-38%) dominating all reaches. Quantitative food webs indicated detrital pathways dominated energy flow in all reaches, with collector-gatherers accounting for most energy flow through primary consumers. Predators were well represented and consumed 75% - 135% of total macroinvertebrate production whereas shredders (2-4%), scrapers (11-15%), and filterers (<1%) consumed a small percentage of their particular resources. High production and consumption estimates for macroinvertebrate predators suggest top-down controls are important in this system. Although functional structure was fairly similar among reaches, changes in energy flow through some groups reflected longitudinal changes in resource availability. Results indicate that this tallgrass prairie stream ecosystem is intermediate in the context of predictions of conceptual stream continua models, and biotic interactions may override some predicted responses to changes in the physical template.

1 aWhiting, D.P.1 aWhiles, M.R. uhttp://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/120/01598nas a2200157 4500008004100000245014500041210006900186300001100255490000700266520097300273100001801246700001601264700001701280700001401297856012901311 2010 eng d00aMassively parallel 454-sequencing of fungal communities in Quercus spp. ectomycorrhizas indicates seasonal dynamics in urban and rural sites0 aMassively parallel 454sequencing of fungal communities in Quercu a41 -530 v193 aWe analysed two sites within and outside an urban development in a rural background to estimate the fungal richness, diversity and community composition in Quercus spp. ectomycorrhizas using massively parallel 454-sequencing in combination with DNA-tagging. Our analyses indicated that shallow sequencing (∼150 sequences) of a large number of samples (192 in total) provided data that allowed identification of seasonal trends within the fungal communities: putative root-associated antagonists and saprobes that were abundant early in the growing season were replaced by common ectomycorrhizal fungi in the course of the growing season. Ordination analyses identified a number of factors that were correlated with the observed communities including host species as well as soil organic matter, nutrient and heavy metal enrichment. Overall, our application of the high throughput 454 sequencing provided an expedient means for characterization of fungal communities.1 aJumpponen, A.1 aJones, K.L.1 aMattox, J.D.1 aYeage, C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/massively-parallel-454-sequencing-fungal-communities-quercus-spp-ectomycorrhizas-indicates01874nas a2200205 4500008004100000245007300041210006800114300001300182490000800195520120400203653001401407653002301421653002501444653002201469653002201491653002001513100001801533700001801551856009901569 2010 eng d00aThe meadow jumping mouse on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas0 ameadow jumping mouse on Konza Prairie Biological Station Kansas a209 -2160 v1133 aWe report specific locations, habitat associations and attributes of meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius) captured over a 28-year period on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. We used large Sherman live traps to survey small mammals in native tallgrass prairie habitats (by traplines and grids), woodland habitats (by traplines and grids) and planted brome fields (traplines only). Fifteen meadow jumping mice were captured over the 28 years of surveys (a total of >300,000 trap nights). Nine males and six females were captured between late June and October; only a single male was scrotal and no females were visibly reproductively active. Furthermore, meadow jumping mice were from young adult-to-adult body size (13.5–21.0 g), except for a 9.5 g male trapped in mid-October. In terms of habitat association, more meadow jumping mice were captured in woodland habitats than in native prairie (standardized to trapping efforts in each habitat). No jumping mice were captured in brome fields. We conclude that overall the meadow jumping mouse is rare, but might be locally common in some years, on Konza Prairie, which lies near the southwestern edge of its current range distribution.10aabundance10alimestone outcrops10aplanted brome fields10atallgrass prairie10awoodland habitats10aZapus hudsonius1 aKaufman, G.A.1 aKaufman, D.W. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/meadow-jumping-mouse-konza-prairie-biological-station-kansas02620nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010600041210006900147300001300216490000700229520208500236100001702321700001902338856012902357 2010 eng d00aMicrobial protein in soil: influence of extraction method and C amendment on extraction and recovery0 aMicrobial protein in soil influence of extraction method and C a a390 -3990 v593 aThe capacity to study the content and resolve the dynamics of the proteome of diverse microbial communities would help to revolutionize the way microbiologists study the function and activity of microorganisms in soil. To better understand the limitations of a proteomic approach to studying soil microbial communities, we characterized extractable soil microbial proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Two methods were utilized to extract proteins from microorganisms residing in a Quitman and Benfield soil: (1) direct extraction of bulk protein from soil and (2) separation of the microorganisms from soil using density gradient centrifugation and subsequent extraction (DGC–EXT) of microbial protein. In addition, glucose and toluene amendments to soil were used to stimulate the growth of a subset of the microbial community. A bacterial culture and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were added to the soil to qualitatively assess their recovery following extraction. Direct extraction and resolution of microbial proteins using SDS-PAGE generally resulted in smeared and unresolved banding patterns on gels. DGC–EXT of microbial protein from soil followed by separation using SDS-PAGE, however, did resolve six to 10 bands in the Benfield but not the Quitman soil. DGC–EXT of microbial protein, but not direct extraction following the addition of glucose and toluene, markedly increased the number of bands (~40) on the gels in both Benfield and Quitman soils. Low recoveries of added culture and BSA proteins using the direct extraction method suggest that proteins either bind to soil organic matter and mineral particles or that partial degradation takes place during extraction. Interestingly, DGC may have been preferentially selected for actively growing cells, as gauged by the 10–100× lower cy19:0/18:1ω7 ratio of the fatty acid methyl esters in the isolated community compared to that for the whole soil. DGC can be used to isolate soil communities and provide microbial protein that can be characterized using PAGE.1 aTaylor, E.B.1 aWilliams, M.A. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microbial-protein-soil-influence-extraction-method-and-c-amendment-extraction-and-recovery02932nas a2200229 4500008004100000245016000041210006900201300001300270490000800283520212300291653001902414653001702433653001502450653001002465653001502475653001402490653001502504100001802519700001802537700001702555856013002572 2010 eng d00aMineralogy and morphological properties of buried polygenetic paleosols formed in late quaternary sediments on upland landscapes of the central plains, USA0 aMineralogy and morphological properties of buried polygenetic pa a508 -5170 v1543 aEast central Kansas is largely comprised of alternating, level beds of Permian shale and limestone of the Central Plains, USA. Polygenetic upland soils of east central Kansas have been formed though multiple and likely different sets of soil forming factors. Upland soils in this region have a complex genesis, often contain one or more paleosols, and form in multiple parent materials including loess, locally reworked loess or colluvium, and residuum. The depth to bedrock rarely exceeds 2 m. Upland hillslope soils commonly contain one or more paleosols, and can be observed on a variety of hillslope positions on the landscape. Generally, the lower paleosols are recognized by strongly expressed structure, thick continuous clay coatings on all faces of peds, and strong reddish color with either 7.5YR or 5YR hues. Soil textures of the paleosols often feel less clayey than the overlying horizons in field determinations. At first, this was attributed to a decrease in clay content, stickiness, and plasticity. However, subsequent laboratory characterization revealed that the clay content was usually highest in the lower paleosol horizons, and that the clay mineralogy of the modern soil was dominated by smectite, while the paleosols contained a mixed suite of minerals. Therefore, the perceived decrease in clay content was caused by a change in clay mineralogy, a feature that can be exploited in future field descriptions in order to more accurately distinguish between stratigraphic units in these thin, welded polygenetic soils. The age of the paleosols sampled in this study were typical for the late Quaternary-aged Severance formation, clustering in two age ranges, which were ≈ 19,000 to 20,000 and ≈ 22,500 to 27,700 uncalibrated 14C yr BP. The results from this study illustrate that although they might be thin, truncated, and welded, late Quaternary-aged loess-derived soils and paleosols occur in regular, predictable patterns on many upland hillslopes in the Bluestem Hills Major Land Resource Area, and this region should be included in future regional investigations of the Central Plains.10aCentral Plains10aGreat Plains10aLandscapes10aLoess10aMineralogy10aPaleosols10aQuaternary1 aPresley, D.R.1 aHartley, P.E.1 aRansom, M.D. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mineralogy-and-morphological-properties-buried-polygenetic-paleosols-formed-late-quaternary03017nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010600041210006900147260004300216490001400259520239000273653002102663653002202684653001702706653002202723100001502745700002302760856005202783 2010 eng d00aMorphological and physiological traits as indicators of drought tolerance in tallgrass prairie plants0 aMorphological and physiological traits as indicators of drought  aManhattan, KSbKansas State University0 vMS Thesis3 a

The Konza Prairie in northern Kansas, USA contains over 550 vascular plant species; of which, few have been closely studied. These species are adapted to environmental stress as imposed by variable temperature, precipitation, fire, and grazing. Understanding which plant traits relate to drought responses will allow us to both predict drought tolerance and potential future shifts in plant community composition from changes in local climate. Morphological and physiological measurements were taken on 121 species of herbaceous tallgrass prairie plants grown from seed in a growth chamber. Gas exchange measurements including maximum photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance to water vapor, and intercellular CO[subscript]2 concentration were measured. All plants were exposed to a drought treatment and were monitored daily until stomatal conductance was zero. At this point, critical leaf water potential (Ψ[subscript]crit), an indicator of physiological drought tolerance was assessed. Other measurements include root length, diameter, volume, and mass, leaf area, leaf tissue density, root tissue density, and root to shoot ratio. Traits were compared using pair-wise bivariate analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). A dichotomy was found between dry-adapted plants with thin, dense leaves and roots, high leaf angle, and highly negative Ψ[subscript]crit and hydrophiles which have the opposite profile. A second axis offers more separation based on high photosynthetic rate, high conductance rate, and leaf angle, but fails to provide a distinction between C[subscript]3 and C[subscript]4 species. When tested independently, grasses and forbs both showed drought tolerance strategies similar to the primary analysis. Matching up these axes with long term abundance data suggests that species with drought tolerance traits have increased abundance on Konza, especially in upland habitats. However, traits that relate to drought tolerance mirror relationships with nutrient stress, confounding separation of low water versus low nutrient strategies. My results not only illustrate the utility of morphological and physiological plant traits in classifying drought responses across a range of species, but as functional traits in predicting both drought tolerance in individual species and relative abundance across environmental gradients of water availability.

10aAbundance; Konza10aDrought Tolerance10aPlant traits10atallgrass prairie1 aTucker, S.1 aNippert, Jesse, B. uhttp://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/462801396nas a2200169 4500008004100000245015200041210006900193300001500262490000600277520073300283100001801016700001601034700001801050700001601068700001701084856012501101 2010 eng d00aMulti-element fingerprinting and high throughput sequencing identify multiple elements that affect fungal communities in Quercus macrocarpa foliage0 aMultielement fingerprinting and high throughput sequencing ident a1157 -11610 v53 aDiverse fungal mutualists, pathogens and saprobes colonize plant leaves. These fungi face a complex environment, in which stochastic dispersal interplays with abiotic and biotic filters. However, identification of the specific factors that drive the community assembly seems unattainable. We mined two broad data sets and identified chemical elements, to which dominant molecular operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the foliage of a native tree respond most extremely. While many associations could be identified, potential complicating issues emerged. Those were related to unevenly distributed OTU frequency data, a large number of potentially explanatory variables, and the disproportionate effects of outlier observations.1 aJumpponen, A.1 aKeating, K.1 aGadbury, G.L.1 aJones, K.L.1 aMattox, J.D. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/multi-element-fingerprinting-and-high-throughput-sequencing-identify-multiple-elements01764nas a2200133 4500008004100000245015500041210006900196300001300265490000800278520122800286100001801514700001601532856008201548 2009 eng d00aMassively parallel 454-sequencing of Quercus macrocarpa phyllosphere fungal communities indicates reduced richness and diversity in urban environments0 aMassively parallel 454sequencing of Quercus macrocarpa phyllosph a438 -4480 v1843 a

• This study targeted the fungal communities in the phyllosphere of Quercus macrocarpa and compared the fungal species richness, diversity and community composition among trees located within and outside a small urban center using recently developed 454 sequencing and DNA tagging. • The results indicate that the fungal phyllosphere communities are extremely diverse and strongly dominated by ascomycetes, with Microsphaeropsis [two Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs); 23.6%], Alternaria (six OTUs; 16.1%), Epicoccum (one OTU; 6.0%) and Erysiphe (two OTUs; 5.9%) as the most abundant genera. • Although the sequencing effort averaged 1000 reads per tree and detected nearly 700 distinct molecular OTUs at 95% internal transcribed spacer 1 similarity, the richness of the hyperdiverse phyllosphere communities could not be reliably estimated as nearly one-half of the molecular OTUs were singletons. • The fungal communities within and outside the urban center differed in richness and diversity, which were lower within the urban development. The two land-use types contained communities that were distinct and more than 10% of the molecular OTUs differed in their frequency.

1 aJumpponen, A.1 aJones, K.L. uhttps://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02990.x00646nas a2200181 4500008004100000245012500041210006900166300001300235490000700248100001800255700002000273700001900293700001600312700001600328700002100344700001700365856008200382 2009 eng d00aMysterious mycorrhizae? A field trip and classroom experiment to demystify the symbioses formed between plants and fungi0 aMysterious mycorrhizae A field trip and classroom experiment to  a424 -4290 v711 aJohnson, N.C.1 aChaudhary, V.B.1 aHoeksema, J.D.1 aMoore, J.M.1 aPringle, A.1 aUmbanhowar, J.A.1 aWilson, G.T. uhttps://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=ies_facpubs02905nas a2200313 4500008004100000245013800041210006900179300001500248490000700263520198500270100001202255700001502267700001702282700001702299700001302316700001302329700001502342700001402357700001402371700001502385700001602400700001502416700001702431700002002448700001502468700001602483700001502499856007702514 2008 eng d00aModeled interactive effects of precipitation, temperature, and CO2 on ecosystem carbon and water dynamics in different climatic zones0 aModeled interactive effects of precipitation temperature and CO2 a1986 -19990 v143 a

Interactive effects of multiple global change factors on ecosystem processes are complex. It is relatively expensive to explore those interactions in manipulative experiments. We conducted a modeling analysis to identify potentially important interactions and to stimulate hypothesis formulation for experimental research. Four models were used to quantify interactive effects of climate warming (T), altered precipitation amounts [doubled (DP) and halved (HP)] and seasonality (SP, moving precipitation in July and August to January and February to create summer drought), and elevated [CO2] (C) on net primary production (NPP), heterotrophic respiration (Rh), net ecosystem production (NEP), transpiration, and runoff. We examined those responses in seven ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and heathlands in different climate zones. The modeling analysis showed that none of the three-way interactions among T, C, and altered precipitation was substantial for either carbon or water processes, nor consistent among the seven ecosystems. However, two-way interactive effects on NPP, Rh, and NEP were generally positive (i.e. amplification of one factor's effect by the other factor) between T and C or between T and DP. A negative interaction (i.e. depression of one factor's effect by the other factor) occurred for simulated NPP between T and HP. The interactive effects on runoff were positive between T and HP. Four pairs of two-way interactive effects on plant transpiration were positive and two pairs negative. In addition, wet sites generally had smaller relative changes in NPP, Rh, runoff, and transpiration but larger absolute changes in NEP than dry sites in response to the treatments. The modeling results suggest new hypotheses to be tested in multifactor global change experiments. Likewise, more experimental evidence is needed for the further improvement of ecosystem models in order to adequately simulate complex interactive processes.

1 aLuo, Y.1 aGerten, D.1 aLe Maire, G.1 aParton, W.J.1 aWeng, E.1 aZhou, X.1 aKeough, C.1 aBeier, C.1 aCiais, P.1 aCramer, W.1 aDukes, J.S.1 aEmmett, B.1 aHanson, P.J.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aLinder, S.1 aNepstad, D.1 aRustad, L. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01629.x02411nas a2200313 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146300001000215490000700225520152600232100001501758700001201773700001701785700001701802700001501819700001301834700001401847700001401861700001501875700001601890700001501906700001701921700002001938700001501958700001601973700001501989700001602004856007702020 2008 eng d00aModelled effects of precipitation on ecosystem carbon and water dynamics in different climatic zones0 aModelled effects of precipitation on ecosystem carbon and water  a1 -150 v143 a

The ongoing changes in the global climate expose the world's ecosystems not only to increasing CO2 concentrations and temperatures but also to altered precipitation (P) regimes. Using four well-established process-based ecosystem models (LPJ, DayCent, ORCHIDEE, TECO), we explored effects of potential P changes on water limitation and net primary production (NPP) in seven terrestrial ecosystems with distinctive vegetation types in different hydroclimatic zones. We found that NPP responses to P changes differed not only among sites but also within a year at a given site. The magnitudes of NPP change were basically determined by the degree of ecosystem water limitation, which was quantified here using the ratio between atmospheric transpirational demand and soil water supply. Humid sites and/or periods were least responsive to any change in P as compared with moderately humid or dry sites/periods. We also found that NPP responded more strongly to doubling or halving of P amount and a seasonal shift in P occurrence than that to altered P frequency and intensity at constant annual amounts. The findings were highly robust across the four models especially in terms of the direction of changes and largely consistent with earlier P manipulation experiments and modelling results. Overall, this study underscores the widespread importance of P as a driver of change in ecosystems, although the ultimate response of a particular site will depend on the detailed nature and seasonal timing of P change.

1 aGerten, D.1 aLuo, Y.1 aLe Maire, G.1 aParton, W.J.1 aKeough, C.1 aWeng, E.1 aBeier, C.1 aCiais, P.1 aCramer, W.1 aDukes, J.S.1 aEmmett, B.1 aHanson, P.J.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aLinder, S.1 aNepstad, D.1 aRustad, L.1 aSowerby, A. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01651.x02680nas a2200181 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128300001300197490000800210520203100218653003402249653001602283100002202299700001702321700002102338700002402359856011502383 2007 eng d00aMicrobial responses to nitrogen addition in three contrasting grassland ecosystems0 aMicrobial responses to nitrogen addition in three contrasting gr a349 -3590 v1543 a

The effects of global N enrichment on soil processes in grassland ecosystems have received relatively little study. We assessed microbial community response to experimental increases in N availability by measuring extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) in soils from three grasslands with contrasting edaphic and climatic characteristics: a semiarid grassland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA (SEV), and mesic grasslands at Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA (KNZ) and Ukulinga Research Farm, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (SAF). We hypothesized that, with N enrichment, soil microbial communities would increase C and P acquisition activity, decrease N acquisition activity, and reduce oxidative enzyme production (leading to recalcitrant soil organic matter [SOM] accumulation), and that the magnitude of response would decrease with soil age (due to higher stabilization of enzyme pools and P limitation of response). Cellulolytic activities followed the pattern predicted, increasing 35–52% in the youngest soil (SEV), 10–14% in the intermediate soil (KNZ) and remaining constant in the oldest soil (SAF). The magnitude of phosphatase response did not vary among sites. N acquisition activity response was driven by the enzyme closest to its pH optimum in each soil: i.e., leucine aminopeptidase in alkaline soil, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase in acidic soil. Oxidative enzyme activity varied widely across ecosystems, but did not decrease with N amendment at any site. Likewise, SOM and %C pools did not respond to N enrichment. Between-site variation in both soil properties and EEA exceeded any treatment response, and a large portion of EEA variability (leucine aminopeptidase and oxidative enzymes), 68% as shown by principal components analysis, was strongly related to soil pH (r = 0.91, P < 0.001). In these grassland ecosystems, soil microbial responses appear constrained by a molecular-scale (pH) edaphic factor, making potential breakdown rates of SOM resistant to N enrichment.

10aExtracellular enzyme activity10aSoil carbon1 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aStursova, M.1 aSinsabaugh, R.L.1 aCollins, Scott., L. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microbial-responses-nitrogen-addition-three-contrasting-grassland-ecosystems02886nas a2200145 4500008004100000245010600041210006900147300001300216490000700229520231900236100002802555700001802583700001602601856012302617 2007 eng d00aMycorrhizal community dynamics following nitrogen fertilization: A cross site test in five grasslands0 aMycorrhizal community dynamics following nitrogen fertilization  a524 -5440 v773 aArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered both ecologically and physiologically important to many plant communities. As a result, any alteration in AMF community structure following soil nitrogen (N) enrichment may impact plant community function and contribute to widespread changes in grassland productivity. We evaluated the responses of AMF communities to N fertilization (≥100 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) in five perennial grasslands within the Long-Term Ecological Research network to generate a broader understanding of the drivers contributing to AMF species richness and diversity with increasing soil N fertility, and subsequent effects to host-plant communities. AMF spore and hyphal community data at three mesic sites (Cedar Creek, Kellogg Biological Station, Konza Prairie) and two semiarid sites (Sevilleta, Shortgrass Steppe) were collected over two consecutive years and used to test four hypotheses about AMF responses to N fertilization. Under ambient soil N, plant annual net primary productivity and soil phosphorus (P) were strongly related to climatic differences in AMF communities (semiarid vs. mesic). Following N fertilization, the drivers of AMF community structure were soil N availability, N:P supply ratio, and host-plant photosynthetic strategy (C3 vs. C4) but not climate. In P-rich soils (low N:P), N fertilization reduced AMF productivity, species richness, and diversity and intensified AMF community convergence due to the loss of rare AMF species and the increased abundance of Glomus species. In P-limited soils (high N:P), AMF productivity, species richness, and diversity increased with N fertilization; the most responsive AMF taxa were Acaulospora, Scutellospora, and Gigaspora. Soil N or N:P × host-plant (C3, C4) interactions further modified these responses: AMF hyphae (primarily Gigasporaceae) associated with C3 plants increased in abundance with N fertilization, whereas C4 plants hosted nitrophilous Glomus species. Such responses were independent of the duration or quantity of N fertilization, or the time since cessation of N fertilization. This synthesis provides a new understanding of AMF community patterns and processes, and it identifies three key drivers (soil N, N:P, host plant) of AMF community structure that may be tested in other communities.1 aEgerton-Warburton, L.M.1 aJohnson, N.C.1 aAllen, E.B. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-community-dynamics-following-nitrogen-fertilization-cross-site-test-five02163nas a2200229 4500008004100000245010200041210006900143300001500212490000700227520139300234100001601627700002301643700001701666700001601683700002001699700001801719700001901737700001801756700001401774700001601788856012901804 2006 eng d00aMODIS land cover and LAI collection 4 product quality across nine sites in the western hemisphere0 aMODIS land cover and LAI collection 4 product quality across nin a1843 -18570 v443 aGlobal maps of land cover and leaf area index (LAI) derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) reflectance data are an important resource in studies of global change, but errors in these must be characterized and well understood. Product validation requires careful scaling from ground and related measurements to a grain commensurate with MODIS products. We present an updated BigFoot project protocol for developing 25-m validation data layers over 49-km2 study areas. Results from comparisons of MODIS and BigFoot land cover and LAI products at nine contrasting sites are reported. In terms of proportional coverage, MODIS and BigFoot land cover were in close agreement at six sites. The largest differences were at low tree cover evergreen needleleaf sites and at an Arctic tundra site where the MODIS product overestimated woody cover proportions. At low leaf biomass sites there was reasonable agreement between MODIS and BigFoot LAI products, but there was not a particular MODIS LAI algorithm pathway that consistently compared most favorably. At high leaf biomass sites, MODIS LAI was generally overpredicted by a significant amount. For evergreen needleleaf sites, LAI seasonality was exaggerated by MODIS. Our results suggest incremental improvement from Collection 3 to Collection 4 MODIS products, with some remaining problems that need to be addressed1 aCohen, W.B.1 aMaiersperger, T.K.1 aTurner, D.P.1 aRitts, W.D.1 aPflugmacher, D.1 aKennedy, R.E.1 aKirschbaum, A.1 aRunning, S.W.1 aCosta, M.1 aGower, S.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/modis-land-cover-and-lai-collection-4-product-quality-across-nine-sites-western-hemisphere01824nas a2200181 4500008004100000245005100041210005000092300001500142490000800157520128700165100001901452700001701471700001801488700001801506700001601524700001701540856008501557 2006 eng d00aModular experimental riffle-pool stream system0 aModular experimental rifflepool stream system a1559 -15660 v1353 aWe describe a modular method for building a large, outdoor experimental stream system that has great flexibility for research projects in fish ecology, behavior, conservation, or management. The system has been in use for more than a decade at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station (Kingston, Oklahoma) and has been used with modification at four other research facilities in the Midwest. Here, we document the system in detail, including specifications for construction of the original system and modifications or improvements at other sites. The system uses commercially available, customized fiberglass round tank and trough units that can be configured in many different ways to create flowing pool and riffle habitats. The system appears to be a good mimic of small natural streams based on system flow rates, establishment of natural substrates and cover, stream chemistry relative to that of a natural creek, and fish behaviors. At least 39 fish species have been used successfully in 1–14-month experiments in these systems and approximately half have reproduced. The system offers great flexibility of design to experimenters, is cost effective, and may be of interest at other facilities that research basic biology, conservation, or management of stream fishes.1 aMatthews, W.J.1 aGido, K., B.1 aGarrett, G.P.1 aGelwick, F.P.1 aStewart, J.1 aSchaefer, J. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/modular-experimental-riffle-pool-stream-system02634nas a2200181 4500008004100000245014300041210006900184300001500253490000700268520194700275100001602222700001502238700002002253700001702273700002002290700001702310856012502327 2006 eng d00aMolecular approach for assessing responses of microbial-feeding nematodes to burning and chronic nitrogen enrichment in a native grassland0 aMolecular approach for assessing responses of microbialfeeding n a2601 -26090 v153 aA substantial proportion of the primary productivity in grassland ecosystems is allocated belowground, sustaining an abundant and diverse community of microbes and soil invertebrates. These belowground communities drive many important ecosystem functions and are responsive to a variety of environmental changes. Nematodes, an abundant and diverse component of grassland soil communities, are particularly responsive to altered environmental conditions, such as those associated with reduced fire frequency and nitrogen enrichment, with the most consistent responses displayed by microbial-feeding nematodes. However, much of the available research characterizing nematode responses to environmental change has been carried out at the taxonomic level of family or by broad trophic categories (e.g. fungivores, bacterivores). The extent to which differential responses to environmental change occurs at the genus level or below is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use molecular methods to quantify the response of microbial-feeding nematodes, at the lowest levels of taxonomic resolution, to nitrogen enrichment and changes in fire frequency. Using sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probes for the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and the ITS1 region, we identified 19 microbial-feeding nematode taxa across four families. When nematodes were sampled across treatments, we found that some nematode taxa within a family responded similarly to nitrogen and burning treatments, while other taxa within the same family respond quite differently. Additionally, although nematodes from different families on average responded differently to nitrogen enrichment and burning, similar responses were seen in nematode taxa that span three taxonomic families. Thus, if nematodes are to be used as indicators of environmental change, care should be taken to assess the response at the lowest taxonomic level possible.1 aJones, K.L.1 aTodd, T.C.1 aWall-Beam, J.L.1 aCoolon, J.D.1 aBlair, John, M.1 aHerman, M.A. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/molecular-approach-assessing-responses-microbial-feeding-nematodes-burning-and-chronic01713nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012600041210006900167300001300236490000700249520112700256100001701383700001901400700001701419856013101436 2006 eng d00aMycorrhizal-mediated phosphorus transfer between tallgrass prairie plants Sorghastrum nutans and Artemisia ludoviciana0 aMycorrhizalmediated phosphorus transfer between tallgrass prairi a427 -4350 v203 a1A glasshouse 32P-labelling study examined arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)-mediated transfer of phosphorus between individuals of two tallgrass prairie species, an obligately mycotrophic grass (Sorghastrum nutans Vitm.) and a facultatively mycotrophic forb (Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt.). 2Regardless of which species served as donor, 32P was transferred between both intra- and interspecific neighbours via AM mycelia. However, nutrient transfer via AM fungi was not uniform between neighbouring species. 3Conservative estimates indicate that interplant transfer via AM fungi accounted for >50% of the total 32P acquisition by S. nutans, but accounted for only 20% of 32P uptake into A. ludoviciana. 4While this study did not show conclusively that a common mycelial network acted as a conduit for nutrient transfer, it clearly demonstrated that mycorrhizae facilitated transfer. 5The results indicate that differential movement of plant resources via AM mycelium may be a mechanism whereby a dominant, highly mycotrophic grass extends competitive advantage over a less mycotrophic, subdominant forb species in grasslands.1 aWilson, G.T.1 aHartnett, D.C.1 aRice, C., W. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-mediated-phosphorus-transfer-between-tallgrass-prairie-plants-sorghastrum-nutans00502nas a2200133 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120300001100189490000700200100001500207700001900222700001700241856011000258 2005 eng d00aMycorrhizal symbiosis and insect herbivory in tallgrass prairie microcosms0 aMycorrhizal symbiosis and insect herbivory in tallgrass prairie  a61 -690 v811 aKula, A.R.1 aHartnett, D.C.1 aWilson, G.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-symbiosis-and-insect-herbivory-tallgrass-prairie-microcosms02411nas a2200133 4500008004100000245009900041210006900140300001300209490000700222520188500229100001902114700001602133856012802149 2004 eng d00aMicrobial community composition across the Great Plains: Landscape versus regional variability0 aMicrobial community composition across the Great Plains Landscap a106 -1150 v683 aRates of nutrient cycling vary across landscape and regional scales. This biogeochemical variability can be partially attributed to patterns in plant community characteristics and abiotic and edaphic conditions across topographic gradients at the landscape-scale or across regional climatic gradients. However, it is also possible that concomitant changes in the microbial communities performing these biogeochemical processes occur across the same spatial scales and may therefore contribute to the observed biogeochemical trends. To assess patterns of microbial community composition across regional and landscape scales, we sampled upland and lowland topographic positions at three grassland communities spanning a 500-mm regional precipitation gradient across the central Great Plains. Soil microbial community composition and biomass were determined using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. Microbial biomass increased across the regional gradient, and different microbial communities were associated with the different grassland community types. The relative abundance of fungi decreased while gram-negative anaerobic bacteria increased from shortgrass steppe to tallgrass prairie. There were no differences in microbial biomass at the landscape-scale, and the only alteration in microbial community composition between upland and lowland landscape positions was a shift toward more nonspecific bacteria in lowlands. The fact that the trends in microbial biomass and community composition at the landscape-scale were less pronounced suggests that variability in microbial community composition is larger regionally across the Great Plains than landscape variability associated with topographical features at any particular site. Alterations in the microbial community may play a role in determining the biogeochemical patterns of grasslands in the Great Plains region.1 aMcCulley, R.L.1 aBurke, I.C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microbial-community-composition-across-great-plains-landscape-versus-regional-variability02218nas a2200205 4500008004100000245011000041210006900151300001300220490000700233520147600240653001301716653003401729653002401763653001201787653002401799653001401823653002901837100001801866856012801884 2003 eng d00aMisuse of inorganic N and soluble reactive P concentrations to indicate nutrient status of surface waters0 aMisuse of inorganic N and soluble reactive P concentrations to i a171 -1810 v223 aDissolved inorganic N (DIN) and soluble reactive P (SRP) have been used by some to indicate the trophic status of waters, and concentration ratios (DIN:SRP) to indicate nutrient deficiency. The utility of such measurements should be questioned, particularly based on well-known problems associated with determination of the concentration of SRP, which is commonly assumed to represent PO43−. Another potential problem with using inorganic nutrient pools to represent trophic state and nutrient availability ratios arises because concentration values are in units of mass per unit volume, and cannot be used with certainty to estimate supply (i.e., turnover rate of the nutrient pool, expressed either in mass per unit volume per unit time or simply as per unit time) to organisms without information on uptake and remineralization. Two data sets with lotic water-column nutrient values were explored, a large, continental-scale data set with analyses and collections done by many laboratories, and a more limited data set collected and analyzed by the same laboratory. In concert, the data sets indicated that at high total N (TN) (i.e., >5 mg/L) and total P (TP) (i.e., >2 mg/L) concentrations, >60% of the nutrient is usually made up of dissolved inorganic forms, but at low levels the ratio of dissolved inorganic to total nutrients is highly variable. Last, DIN:SRP is a weak surrogate for TN:TP and thus should be used with caution to indicate nutrient limitation.10aammonium10adissolved reactive phosphorus10ainorganic nutrients10aNitrate10anutrient limitation10aphosphate10awater-quality monitoring1 aDodds, W., K. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/misuse-inorganic-n-and-soluble-reactive-p-concentrations-indicate-nutrient-status-surface00480nas a2200121 4500008004100000245006800041210006800109260004300177300001000220490001400230100001500244856009900259 2003 eng d00aMycorrhizal symbiosis and insect herbivory in tallgrass prairie0 aMycorrhizal symbiosis and insect herbivory in tallgrass prairie aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -970 vMS Thesis1 aKula, A.R. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-symbiosis-and-insect-herbivory-tallgrass-prairie00517nas a2200121 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125260004300194300001100237490002100248100001700269856010900286 2003 eng d00aMycorrhizal symbiosis in the tallgrass prairie: above- and belowground linkages0 aMycorrhizal symbiosis in the tallgrass prairie above and belowgr aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -2110 vPhD Dissertation1 aWilson, G.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-symbiosis-tallgrass-prairie-above-and-belowground-linkages01925nas a2200145 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128300001200197490000800209520144800217653002201665100001601687700001801703856005801721 2002 eng d00aMacroinvertebrate assemblage structure across a tallgrass prairie stream landscape0 aMacroinvertebrate assemblage structure across a tallgrass prairi a70 -1020 v1543 aStream macroinvertebrates were collected from four intermittent tributaries and two perennial sites within the Kings Creek basin, Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS) near Manhattan, KS, USA. The objectives of this study were to assess the roles of disturbances (floods and drying) and refugia on benthic and colonization (drift and aerial) assemblage composition over two years among sites with contrasting hydrologic regimes. Benthic taxa richness and diversity at the perennial headwater site were significantly greater than richness and diversity at intermittent sites, whereas the downstream perennial site did not differ significantly from two of the intermittent sites. The larger magnitude of floods at the downstream perennial site resulted in greater losses in richness than at the upstream intermittent and perennial sites. Both classification and ordination revealed that benthic assemblage composition was more strongly correlated with time since last disturbance and season than with static hydrologic descriptors, microhabitat measures, or assemblage characteristics (richness or density). Richness of aerial colonization and drift samples collected at intermittent sites was greatest at the site with the nearest upstream perennial surface water. Because Kings Creek is a relatively pristine stream, these data may be useful as a baseline for comparison with future efforts for bioassessment of intermittent prairie streams.10atallgrass prairie1 aFritz, K.M.1 aDodds, W., K. uhttp://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=1366523902937nas a2200229 4500008004100000245009500041210006900136300001200205490000700217520214000224653003102364653001602395653001302411653003702424653001902461653001902480653002502499653002202524100002002546700001702566856012402583 2002 eng d00aMacroinvertebrate production and trophic structure in a tallgrass prairie headwater stream0 aMacroinvertebrate production and trophic structure in a tallgras a97 -1130 v213 aResearch on North American prairie stream communities has lagged behind other regions. We examined the ecosystem significance of the macroinvertebrate community of riffle/run habitats in Kings Creek, a 2nd-order tallgrass prairie stream at Konza Prairie Biological Station (Kansas, USA), by estimating secondary production, benthic organic matter standing stocks, and resource consumption and egestion by functional groups. Annual mean standing stock macroinvertebrate biomass was 2.3 g ash-free dry mass (AFDM)/m2, annual production was 19.7 g AFDM m-2 y-1, and the annual community production/biomass (P/B) ratio was 8.6. Macroinvertebrate production was higher than published estimates for forested streams of similar size, but much lower than that of a Sonoran desert stream. Distribution of production among functional groups was 30% for collector-gatherers, 9% for collector-filterers, 20% for scrapers, 23% for shredders, and 18% for predators, resembling estimates from some forested streams with the exception of higher scraper production. Although detritivorous groups were productive in this prairie stream, they appeared food limited. Consumption estimates indicated shredders and collector-gatherers annually ingested ∼80% and ∼240% of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) and fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) standing stocks, respectively. Thus, re-ingestion and/or diet shifts may be common, particularly among collector-gatherers, and the FPOM pool must turn over rapidly. Invertebrate predators also consumed a sizeable portion (∼52%) of prey, whereas scrapers (∼21%) and filterers (<1%) consumed relatively small portions of their respective resources, suggesting top-down influences on these groups. This study indicates that, during a period of relatively stable flow in this prairie stream, macroinvertebrate production and functional structure were roughly intermediate between North American forested and desert systems. Our results underscore the value of secondary production estimates for examining invertebrate communities in an ecosystem context10aAquatic macroinvertebrates10aEnergy flow10aFood web10aKonza Prairie Biological Station10aorganic matter10aPrairie stream10asecondary production10aTrophic structure1 aStagliano, D.M.1 aWhiles, M.R. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/macroinvertebrate-production-and-trophic-structure-tallgrass-prairie-headwater-stream02505nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010200041210006900143300001500212490000700227520198000234100001502214700001402229856012802243 2002 eng d00aMeasurement and modeling of soil CO2 flux in a temperate grassland under mowed and burned regimes0 aMeasurement and modeling of soil CO2 flux in a temperate grassla a1318 -13280 v123 aSoil-surface CO2 flux (Rs), which is a large component of the carbon (C) budgets in grasslands, usually is measured infrequently using static or dynamic chambers. Therefore, to quantify annual C budgets, estimates of Rs are required during days when no direct measurements of Rs are available. Other researchers have developed empirical models based on soil temperature, soil volumetric water content (θv), and leaf area index (LAI) that have provided reasonable estimates of Rs during the growing season in ungrazed tallgrass prairie. However, the effects of mowing and grazing, which are common in grasslands, on predictions of Rs from those models are uncertain. Predictions of Rs during dormancy (postsenescence to spring fire) also are uncertain. Data from a year-long mowing study, which simulated grazing, were used to refit these models. Output from the models then was compared to independent data collected from nearby prairie sites. Results showed that LAI must be included to accurately estimate Rs in mowed prairie ecosystems. When LAI was not included in the model, predicted daily Rs following mowing was nearly four times greater than measured Rs, and cumulative, annual Rs was overestimated by 95–102%. When LAI was included in the model, predictions of Rs were comparable to measured Rs in the mowing study. Annual estimates of cumulative Rs ranged from 3.93 to 4.92 kg CO2/m2. When comparing the model with independent chamber data from nearby sites, cumulative Rs during those studies was within ±9% of cumulative estimates calculated from measured Rs. The model overestimated daily Rs during a dry period, suggesting a nonlinear response of Rs to soil water content; soil water matric potential may be more appropriate than θv for modeling Rs. Data suggest that Rs, in addition to being dependent on soil temperature and soil water content, is dependent on the photosynthetic capacity of the canopy and the subsequent translocation of C belowground.1 aBremer, D.1 aHam, J.M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/measurement-and-modeling-soil-co2-flux-temperate-grassland-under-mowed-and-burned-regimes01688nas a2200145 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125300001300194490000700207520116600214100002401380700001701404700001401421856010701435 2001 eng d00aA method to determine rate and pattern of variability in ecological communities0 amethod to determine rate and pattern of variability in ecologica a285 -2930 v913 aIt is well known that ecological communities are spatially and temporally dynamic. Quantifying temporal variability in ecological communities is challenging, however, especially for time-series data sets of less than 40 measurement intervals. In this paper, we describe a method to quantify temporal variability in multispecies communities over time frames of 10–40 measurement intervals. Our approach is a community-level extension of autocorrelation analysis, but we use Euclidean distance to measure similarity of community samples at increasing time lags rather than the correlation coefficient. Regressing Euclidean distances versus increasing time lags yields a measure of the rate and nature of community change over time. We demonstrate the method with empirical data sets from shortgrass steppe, old-field succession and zooplankton dynamics in lakes, and we investigate properties of the analysis using simulation models. Results indicate that time-lag analysis provides a useful quantitative measurement of the rate and pattern of temporal dynamics in communities over time frames that are too short for more traditional autocorrelation approaches.1 aCollins, Scott., L.1 aMichelli, F.1 aHartt, L. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/method-determine-rate-and-pattern-variability-ecological-communities00542nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124260004300193300001100236490001400247653002200261100001900283856010600302 2000 eng d00aMovements of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in tallgrass prairie in Kansas0 aMovements of deer mice Peromyscus maniculatus in tallgrass prair aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -1070 vMS Thesis10atallgrass prairie1 aRehmeier, R.L. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/movements-deer-mice-peromyscus-maniculatus-tallgrass-prairie-kansas01617nas a2200169 4500008004100000245009700041210006900138300001200207490000700219520101500226100001601241700001901257700001701276700001401293700001901307856012101326 1999 eng d00aManaging Data from Multiple Disciplines, Scales, and Sites to Support Synthesis and Modeling0 aManaging Data from Multiple Disciplines Scales and Sites to Supp a99 -1070 v703 aThe synthesis and modeling of ecological processes at multiple spatial and temporal scales involves bringing together and sharing data from numerous sources. This article describes a data and information system model that facilitates assembling, managing, and sharing diverse data from multiple disciplines, scales, and sites to support integrated ecological studies. Cross-site scientific-domain working groups coordinate the development of data associated with their particular scientific working group, including decisions about data requirements, data to be compiled, data formats, derived data products, and schedules across the sites. The Web-based data and information system consists of nodes for each working group plus a central node that provides data access, project information, data query, and other functionality. The approach incorporates scientists and computer experts in the working groups and provides incentives for individuals to submit documented data to the data and information system.1 aOlson, R.J.1 aBriggs, J., M.1 aPorter, J.H.1 aMah, G.R.1 aStafford, S.G. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/managing-data-multiple-disciplines-scales-and-sites-support-synthesis-and-modeling02807nas a2200241 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124260005100193300001100244520196600255653003202221653003902253653001702292653002302309653001902332653001802351653002202369100001502391700002002406700002002426700001902446856010002465 1999 eng d00aManipulation of soil resource heterogeneity in a tallgrass prairie restoration0 aManipulation of soil resource heterogeneity in a tallgrass prair aKearney, NEbUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney a78 -873 aPlant species diversity in native prairie ecosystems is influenced by heterogeneity of soil resources, which results from interactions among plant communities, soil properties, topography, and disturbance. Key factors which promote plant diversity in native prairie include soil moisture, rooting depth, and nutrient availability. Most prairie restorations in the Great Plains occur on former agricultural land and the soil template for these restorations has been physically homogenized through tillage practices. The reduction in soil resource heterogeneity in restored prairies may be causally related to low plant species diversity commonly encountered in these sites. To examine the role of soil heterogeneity in restoring prairie ecosystems, replicated blocks (n=4) of 4 plots consisting of different levels of soil heterogeneity were established in an agricultural field. The 4 plot types included: control (least heterogeneous with respect to soil resources), altered plant rooting depth, altered nutrient availability, and combined variation in plant rooting depth and nutrient availability (maximum heterogeneity). Plant rooting depth was varied by burying limestone barriers at 25 cm to create alternating strips of deep and shallow soil. Variation in soil nutrient (inorganic N) availability was established via increased N (+fertilizer), decreased N (+ recalcitrant C), and no change in N. All plots were seeded with the dominant native grasses and >30 forb species. Incorporation of recalcitrant C reduced total inorganic N availability 90% as a result of 98% reduction in available nitrate. Plots containing strips of low N availability exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) greater spatial variability than plots without this manipulation. Thus, the experimental design and methods implemented have increased heterogeneity of soil nutrients, and this will enable us to address the role of variation in soil resources on restoring tallgrass prairie.10aaltered plant rooting depth10aaltered soil nutrient availability10aGreat Plains10alimestone barriers10arecalcitrant C10asoil template10aSpecies diversity1 aBaer, S.G.1 aBlair, John, M.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aSpringer, J.T. uhttp://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs/NAPC/NAPC16/reference/econatres.napc16.sbaer.pdf00655nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007400041210006900115260003800184300001300222100001700235700002300252700002000275700002000295700001800315700001800333700001800351856010400369 1999 eng d00aMeasuring decomposition, nutrient turnover and stores in plant litter0 aMeasuring decomposition nutrient turnover and stores in plant li aNew YorkbOxford University Press a202 -2401 aHarmon, M.E.1 aNaddlehoffer, K.J.1 aBlair, John, M.1 aRobertson, G.P.1 aBledsoe, C.S.1 aColeman, D.C.1 aSollins, P.S. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/measuring-decomposition-nutrient-turnover-and-stores-plant-litter02184nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012800041210006900169300001100238490000700249520163100256100001601887700001601903856013101919 1999 eng d00aMultiscale assessment of binary and continuous landcover variables for MODIS validation, mapping, and modeling applications0 aMultiscale assessment of binary and continuous landcover variabl a82 -980 v703 aValidation, mapping, and modeling efforts require accurate methods to transform process rates and ecosystem attributes estimated from small field plots to the 250–1000-m-wide cells used by a new generation of land cover mapping sensors. We provide alternative scale transformations, each with attendant assumptions and limitations. The choice of method depends on spatial characteristics of the land cover variables in question and consequently may vary between biomes or with the intended application. We extend the fractal similarity dimension renormalization method, previously developed for binary maps, to continuous variables. The method can preserve both the mean and the multifractal properties of the image, thereby satisfying a major goal, namely, to provide accurate areal estimates without sacrificing information about within-site variation. The scale transformation enables the multifractal scaling exponents of landscapes or individual spectral bands to be brought in and out of register with each other, thereby opening another dimension upon which to detect the scales at which various land use or terrain processes operate. Alternatively, landscapes can be selectively rescaled to highlight patterns due to particular processes. We recommend geostatistical procedures with which to assess spatial characteristics both within a site and within individual image cells. We recommend that aggregation of fine-grain measurements during validation of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) products be based on continuous variables to reduce errors that originate from uncertainties in binary maps.1 aMilne, B.T.1 aCohen, W.B. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/multiscale-assessment-binary-and-continuous-landcover-variables-modis-validation-mapping-and02846nas a2200145 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128300001500197490000700212520230500219653002202524100001902546700001702565856011802582 1999 eng d00aMycorrhizae influence plant community structure and diversity in tallgrass prairie0 aMycorrhizae influence plant community structure and diversity in a1187 -11950 v803 aIn grassland ecosystems, symbiotic associations between plants and mycorrhizal fungi are widespread and have important influences on the life histories, demography, and species interactions of plants, and on belowground ecosystem processes. To assess the consequences of the symbiosis at the plant community level, we conducted a 5-yr field experiment in tallgrass prairie to investigate the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant species composition, relative abundances, and diversity. Replicate plots in which mycorrhizal fungi were suppressed with benomyl application every two weeks during each growing season, were compared to nontreated mycorrhizal control plots on six watershed units at the Konza Prairie in northeastern Kansas. Benomyl successfully reduced mycorrhizal colonization to <25% of mycorrhizal control plots. Mycorrhizal colonization of roots in control plots was inversely related to annual precipitation. Suppression of mycorrhizae resulted in decreases in abundances of the dominant, obligately mycotrophic C4 tall grasses, compensatory increases in abundances of many subordinate facultatively mycotrophic C3 grasses and forbs, but no change in total aboveground biomass, as estimated from canopy density. Suppression of mycorrhizal symbiosis resulted in a large increase in plant species diversity. Two possible mechanisms for mycorrhizal mediation of plant species composition and diversity are: (1) alterations in resource distribution among neighbors via hyphal connections, and (2) differential host species responses to mycorrhizal fungal colonization in communities in which the competitive dominants are more strongly or more weakly mycotrophic than their neighbors. The results of this study demonstrate that mycorrhizal symbiosis can have large effects on plant community structure, and that differential host species response to fungal colonization is a key factor explaining the dominance of warm-season C4 grasses in tallgrass prairie and limiting plant species evenness and diversity. The results also underscore the importance of above- and belowground linkages in tallgrass prairie and indicate that alterations in belowground fungi and rhizosphere processes can have large effects on aboveground floristic composition and diversity in grasslands.10atallgrass prairie1 aHartnett, D.C.1 aWilson, G.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizae-influence-plant-community-structure-and-diversity-tallgrass-prairie01419nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007800041210006900119300001300188490000800201520080000209653002201009100002401031700002001055700001901075700002001094700002001114856010301134 1998 eng d00aModulation of diversity by grazing and mowing in native tallgrass prairie0 aModulation of diversity by grazing and mowing in native tallgras a745 -7470 v2803 aSpecies diversity has declined in ecosystems worldwide as a result of habitat fragmentation, eutrophication, and land-use change. If such decline is to be halted ecological mechanisms that restore or maintain biodiversity are needed. Two long-term field experiments were performed in native grassland to assess the effects of fire, nitrogen addition, and grazing or mowing on plant species diversity. In one experiment, richness declined on burned and fertilized treatments, whereas mowing maintained diversity under these conditions. In the second experiment, loss of species diversity due to frequent burning was reversed by bison, a keystone herbivore in North American grasslands. Thus, mowing or the reestablishment of grazing in anthropogenically stressed grasslands enhanced biodiversity.10atallgrass prairie1 aCollins, Scott., L.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aBriggs, J., M.1 aBlair, John, M.1 aSteinauer, E.M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/modulation-diversity-grazing-and-mowing-native-tallgrass-prairie00500nas a2200133 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120300001300189490000700202100001900209700001800228700001800246856010200264 1997 eng d00aMammals of the Konza Prairie: new observations and an updated species list0 aMammals of the Konza Prairie new observations and an updated spe a263 -2710 v291 aMcMillan, B.R.1 aKaufman, G.A.1 aMatlack, R.S. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mammals-konza-prairie-new-observations-and-updated-species-list00431nas a2200133 4500008004100000245005100041210005100092300000900143490000800152653002200160100001700182700001900199856007900218 1997 eng d00aModelling impact of bison on tallgrass prairie0 aModelling impact of bison on tallgrass prairie a3 -90 v10010atallgrass prairie1 aNellis, M.D.1 aBriggs, J., M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/modelling-impact-bison-tallgrass-prairie02443nas a2200145 4500008004100000245005800041210005800099300001500157490000700172520197500179100001702154700002002171700001702191856008902208 1997 eng d00aMycorrhizal fungi affect root stele tissue in grasses0 aMycorrhizal fungi affect root stele tissue in grasses a1778 -17840 v753 aAlthough arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis was initially believed to have little or no impact on root morphology, we now recognize that subtle changes do occur and that these changes may be of considerable consequence to host growth and nutrition, as well as functional growth strategy. In examining the stele and root diameters of C3 and C4 grasses, C4 grasses were demonstrated to have a significantly larger proportion of their fibrous roots occupied by stele tissue than do C3 grasses. In fact, functional growth strategy (C3 versus C4) was observed to be a relatively good predictor of stele area. Mycorrhizal fungi also influenced the amount of stele tissue, but the effect was not the same for both C3 and C4 grasses. The stele area of all C4 grasses except for Sorghastrum nutans was greater in the presence of mycorrhizal colonization. Among the C3 grasses, only Bromus inermis showed a significant increase, although Elymus cinereus and Lolium perenne displayed significant decreases in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization. Changes in the stele area of the plant species were closely related to their responsiveness to mycorrhizal symbiosis and might in part explain both beneficial and detrimental responses of plants to mycorrhizae. An increase in stele circumference induced by mycorrhizae would allow for greater uptake and passage of water and nutrients to the vascular cylinder, and growth depressions could be a direct outcome of reduced stele circumference. Thus, differences in stele circumference represent a possible mechanism for mycorrhizal impacts on host plants. These findings indicate that structural differences among grasses are related to different functional capabilities and further emphasize the need for better integration of comparative anatomy and morphology procedures in the study of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Key words: stele, root anatomy, mycorrhizal dependency, functional growth strategy, mycorrhiza, C3 and C4 grasses.1 aMiller, R.M.1 aHetrick, B.A.D.1 aWilson, G.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-fungi-affect-root-stele-tissue-grasses00558nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125260004300194300001100237490002100248653002200269100001800291856011500309 1996 eng d00aMicrobial ecology and denitrification in tallgrass prairie and cultivated soils0 aMicrobial ecology and denitrification in tallgrass prairie and c aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -3100 vPhD Dissertation10atallgrass prairie1 aSotomayor, D. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microbial-ecology-and-denitrification-tallgrass-prairie-and-cultivated-soils01550nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012200041210006900163300001300232490000700245520097800252100001801230700001501248700001401263856012701277 1996 eng d00aMicrocosms for aquifer research: Application to colonization of various sized particles by groundwater microorganisms0 aMicrocosms for aquifer research Application to colonization of v a756 -7590 v343 aFlow-through microcosms were constructed to conduct ecological experiments on aquifer organisms. The two 5-channel microcosms were simple to construct, were fed by an artesian spring, and maintained close to in situ temperature and O2 concentrations. They were used to test relative microbial colonization of three substrate sizes: silt (0.063 mm), sand (0.9 mm), and gravel (3 mm). After 96 days of incubation, O2 microelectrode measurements revealed the lowest O2 tension in the silt, the highest in the gravel, and intermediate values in the sand. Microbial activity (3[H]-thymidine incorporation) was greatest in the gravel, followed by sand and then silt. Denitrification was greatest in the silt, followed by sand and then gravel. Microbial activity may be greatest with the largest particle size because of increased water exchange through pores, and denitrification may be greatest with the smallest particle sizes because of the occurrence of anaerobic microzones.1 aDodds, W., K.1 aRandel, C.1 aEdler, C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microcosms-aquifer-research-application-colonization-various-sized-particles-groundwater01131nas a2200145 4500008004100000245025500041210006900296260005100365300001100416490002100427520037200448653002200820100001700842856012600859 1996 eng d00aMycorrhizthe responses of tallgrass prairie grasses from a central and a relictual site to inoculation with arbuscular al fungi in native and foreign combinations (big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), Kansas, Colorado)0 aMycorrhizthe responses of tallgrass prairie grasses from a centr aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado at Boulder a1 -1990 vPhD Dissertation3 a

This study was undertaken to determine whether arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal host specificity occurs within local sites. In addition, ecotypic variation in Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) from two sites was described and the responses of these hosts and their symbionts to drought was assessed in a greenhouse study

10atallgrass prairie1 aFisher, D.M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizthe-responses-tallgrass-prairie-grasses-central-and-relictual-site-inoculation00354nas a2200109 4500008004100000245004700041210004300088300001100131490000700142100002400149856007100173 1995 eng d00aThe measurement of stability in grasslands0 ameasurement of stability in grasslands a95 -960 v101 aCollins, Scott., L. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/measurement-stability-grasslands01910nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124300001300193490000700206520142600213100001701639700001401656856010601670 1995 eng d00aMeasurements of water use by prairie grasses with heat balance sap flow gauges0 aMeasurements of water use by prairie grasses with heat balance s a150 -1580 v483 aDirect and continuous measurements of water use by range grasses are needed by both range scientists and land managers. This study tested a heat balance sap flow gauge on individual culms of the tallgrass prairie species big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash]. Gauge performance was evaluated on potted plants in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field by comparing sap flow to gravimetric measurements of transpiration. In the laboratory, gauge-measured water loss was consistently within ±10% of gravimetric measurements for both species at flow rates ≤ 4 g $\text{hour}^{-1}$. The first-order time constant of the gauge was calculated to be <20 seconds. In the greenhouse, sap flow estimates were consistently below gravimetric water loss and negative flows were often computed because of suspected errors in the radial heat flux component. Laboratory data showed that despite the gauge being surrounded with insulation, errors in the heat balance could occur because of external air temperature changes. In the field, environmental alterations in the stem energy balance affected the accuracy of gauges placed outside a plant canopy, but accurate measurements did occur when the plants were placed within a plant canopy. Heat transfer analysis indicated that foam insulation should be 20 to 25 mm thick to minimize the effect of the environment on gauge performance.1 aSenock, R.S.1 aHam, J.M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/measurements-water-use-prairie-grasses-heat-balance-sap-flow-gauges00499nas a2200121 4500008004100000245009300041210006900134300001300203490000700216100001700223700002000240856011700260 1995 eng d00aMethane emissions to the atmosphere through emergent cattail (Typha latifolia L.) plants0 aMethane emissions to the atmosphere through emergent cattail Typ a521 -5340 v471 aYavitt, J.B.1 aKnapp, Alan, K. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/methane-emissions-atmosphere-through-emergent-cattail-typha-latifolia-l-plants03143nas a2200217 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124300001100193490000700204520242900211653002402640653001302664653001902677653001902696653002502715100001502740700002102755700002002776700001802796856011102814 1994 eng d00aMathematical simulation of C4 grass photosynthesis in ambient and elevated C020 aMathematical simulation of C4 grass photosynthesis in ambient an a63 -800 v733 aA mechanistic leaf photosynthesis model was developed for C4 grasses based on a general simplified scheme of C4 plant carbon metabolism. In the model, the PEPcase-dependent C4-cycle was described in terms of CO2 concentration in the mesophyll space using Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the activity of PEPcase was related to the incident PAR to take account of the influence of light on the activity of C4-cycle processes. The CO2 refixation by Rubisco in the bundle sheath was described using a widely accepted C3 photosynthesis model. The model assumes a steady state balance among CO2 diffusion from surrounding atmosphere into the mesophyll space, CO2 transport into the bundle sheath by the C4-cycle, CO2 refixation by the C3-cycle in the bundle sheath, and CO2 leakage from the bundle sheath. The response to temperature of photosynthesis was incorporated via the temperature dependence of model parameters. The photosynthesis model was coupled with a stomatal conductance model in order to predict leaf photosynthesis rates at different atmospheric conditions. The empirical model of Ball et al. (1987) was adopted and slightly modified to describe responses in stomatal conductance. The coupled model was parameterized for the C4 grass Andropogon gerardii grown in both ambient (350 ppm) and elevated (700 ppm) CO2 atmospheres. The key parameters of the model were estimated by fitting the model to the measured data using non-linear regression. The model was validated by comparison the predicted photosynthetic response to PAR in both CO2-pretreatments with the measured data from an independent gas exchange experiment. The predicted photosynthesis and stomatal conductance matched the measured data quite well for both atmospheric CO2-pretreatments. At 25°C, the estimated maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco Vcm,25, potential electron transport rate Jm,25 and quantum efficiency α were increased by CO2 enrichment. The maximum PEPcase activity Vpm,25 was lower in elevated CO2. The model predicted that the light-saturated leaf photosynthesis will increase by about 10% with the rising of atmospheric CO2 from 350 to 700 ppm at 30°C, and that the optimal temperature of photosynthesis will shift from 37 to 38.5°C. The estimated slope of the stomatal conductance model was increased by atmospheric CO2 enrichment. Stomatal conductance was significantly reduced by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration.10aAndropogon gerardii10aC4 grass10aCO2 enrichment10aphotosynthesis10aStomatal Conductance1 aChen, D.X.1 aCoughenour, M.B.1 aKnapp, Alan, K.1 aOwensby, C.E. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mathematical-simulation-c4-grass-photosynthesis-ambient-and-elevated-c0201771nas a2200145 4500008004100000245005200041210005200093300001300145490000700158520132100165653002201486100001701508700001701525856008301542 1994 eng d00aMicrobial biomass dynamics in tallgrass prairie0 aMicrobial biomass dynamics in tallgrass prairie a816 -8230 v583 aThe temporal dynamics and effects of burning, mowing, and N fertilization on microbial biomass (MBM) in tallgrass prairie were studied in a field experiment established in 1986. Microbial C (MC) and microbial N (MN), determined by the fumigation-incubation procedure during the growing seasons of 1989 through 1991, averaged 217 mg C kg−1 and 32.6 mg N kg−1, respectively, for the 0- to 30-cm depth. Accumulation of litter and greater production of roots near the surface resulted in stratification of MBM. Seasonally, MBM was higher in early spring, decreased with the initiation of plant growth, and then recovered by late summer or early fall. Decreases of MN between March and July coincided with plant N uptake. The increase of MC and decrease of MN during the 3 yr of the study were related to increased plant production. Burning had a short-term and variable effect on MC. Burning tended to reduce MC during dry years and increase it in normal to wet years. Mowing and raking decreased MC and MN, probably because of reduced root biomass and removal of standing vegetation. Nitrogen addition resulted in higher MN and tended to reduce MC, possibly by modifying the composition of the microbial population. Microbial biomass seems to play a critical role in conserving N in the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.10atallgrass prairie1 aGarcia, F.O.1 aRice, C., W. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microbial-biomass-dynamics-tallgrass-prairie00550nas a2200121 4500008004100000245010300041210006900144260004300213300001000256490001400266100001900280856012900299 1994 eng d00aMicrohabitat and space use by Peromyscus leucopus : influence of vertical and horizontal structure0 aMicrohabitat and space use by Peromyscus leucopus influence of v aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -590 vMS Thesis1 aMcMillan, B.R. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microhabitat-and-space-use-peromyscus-leucopus-influence-vertical-and-horizontal-structure03478nas a2200193 4500008004100000245009800041210006900139300001500208490000700223520277800230653001703008653002703025653003103052653002203083100002003105700001703125700001703142856012503159 1994 eng d00aMycorrhizal activity in warm-and cool-season grasses: variation in nutrient uptake strategies0 aMycorrhizal activity in warmand coolseason grasses variation in  a1002 -10080 v723 aBecause cool-season grasses display little or no mycorrhizal responsiveness in prairie soil, it is unclear whether the high levels of mycorrhizal activity observed previously in these grasses represent nutrient uptake by external hyphae or simply metabolism of stored fungal reserves in roots. To distinguish between these hypotheses, a warm-season grass, Andropogon gerardii, or a cool-season grass, Bromus inermis, were grown at two temperatures on one side of a pot divided by a 43-μm nylon root barrier. Mycorrhizal function was assessed by measuring the amount of 32P translocated from one side of the pot to plants on the other side. As a control, mycorrhizal hyphae crossing the barrier were severed manually. Approximately 100 times more 32P was observed in mycorrhizal B. inermis grown at 18 °C versus 29 °C, and in B. inermis with intact versus severed hyphae at the cooler temperature. In contrast, A. gerardii accumulated approximately 4 times more 32P at 29 °C than at 18 °C, and approximately 100 times more with intact versus severed hyphae at the warmer temperature. Thus, it appears that mycorrhizal hyphae are highly active in both plant species regardless of the host's mycorrhizal responsiveness. Furthermore, mycorrhizal activity is highest at the temperature that favors growth of each species. The considerable activity of mycorrhizae in B. inermis is enigmatic since it usually has no biomass response. To further clarify the relationship between nutrient uptake and biomass response, both plant species were fertilized with a range of P levels and grown at a neutral temperature that supported the growth of both species. Although the concentration of P in B. inermis plant tissue increased in response to fertilization, there was no corresponding increase in biomass. In contrast, for A. gerardii, there was a direct and positive relationship between P fertilization and biomass produced, but tissue P concentrations remained relatively stable. Mycorrhizal symbiosis had no overall effect on biomass of B. inermis but significantly improved the growth of A. gerardii. These experiments showed clear differences in the growth strategies used by these two plant species. It is unclear whether these are differences that can be attributed to warm- and cool-season grasses in general. Short-term biomass responses as a measure of a plant's reliance on the symbiosis may not entirely reflect the contribution of the symbiosis if plants store nutrients with subsequent and perhaps delayed effects on fecundity, offspring performance, or even biomass. However, if the stored nutrient merely represents luxury consumption, this could still affect competitive ability because luxury consumption preempts the availability of nutrients for competitors. 10abig bluestem10amycorrhizal dependence10amycorrhizal responsiveness10asmooth bromegrass1 aHetrick, B.A.D.1 aWilson, G.T.1 aSchwab, A.P. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-activity-warm-and-cool-season-grasses-variation-nutrient-uptake-strategies02355nas a2200145 4500008004100000245009900041210006900140300001300209490000800222520179600230100001902026700002002045700001702065856012702082 1994 eng d00aMycorrhizal dependence of Andropogon gerardii and Schizachyrium scoparium in two prairie soils0 aMycorrhizal dependence of Andropogon gerardii and Schizachyrium  a366 -3760 v1323 aPrevious research in tallgrass prairie in Kansas indicated that warm-season, C4, grasses are obligate mycotrophs and do not grow normally in the absence of mycorrhizal symbiosis. However, the degree to which such grasses depend on mycorrhizae in other prairie soils has not been examined. Growth and mycorrhizal colonization of roots of Andropogon gerardii and Schizachyrium scoparium were compared in soil collected from Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (KPRNA), Riley County, Kansas and from Sand Ridge State Forest (SRSF), Mason County, Illinois. Plants of both species were grown in the two soils and were inoculated with Glomus etunicatum spores originally collected from KPRNA or colonized root pieces from S. scoparium plants collected from SRSF. Glomus etunicatum inoculum resulted in significantly greater root colonization and biomass of both plant species in steamed KPRNA soil than did root piece inoculum. There was no benefit from inoculation in non-sterile soil which contained indigenous mycorrhizal fungi. In SRSF soil, there was no response to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi from either source. The lack of mycorrhizal response in SRSF soil is attributed to the greater plant-available P level of this soil. For S. scoparium grown in SRSF soil, plants grown in steamed soil produced more biomass than plants grown in steamed soil amended with nonsterile soil sievings (containing soil organisms other than mycorrhizal fungi), or in nonsterile soil. These differences could be due to competition for inorganic nutrients between soil microbes and the plant or antagonistic relationships between the plant or the mycorrhizal association and the soil microbes. Thus, the mycorrhizal dependence of these plant species is related to both soil and inoculum type or species.1 aAnderson, R.C.1 aHetrick, B.A.D.1 aWilson, G.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-dependence-andropogon-gerardii-and-schizachyrium-scoparium-two-prairie-soils01491nas a2200157 4500008004100000245011400041210006900155300001300224490000700237520088400244653002201128100001701150700001901167700001901186856012801205 1993 eng d00aManagement practices in tallgrass prairie: Large- and small-scale experimental effects on species composition0 aManagement practices in tallgrass prairie Large and smallscale e a247 -2550 v303 aMany studies from grasslands have reported how differing management techniques affect production levels and species composition (e.g., Ehrenreich & Aikman 1963; Wells 1980; Parr & Way 1988). In most studies the main emphasis has been on a single treatment (e.g., mowing, grazing or burning) under either highly controlled small-scale, experimental conditions (Hover & Bragg 1981; Collins 1987; Cox 1988) or less rigorous large-scale descriptive field studies (e.g., Abrams & Hulbert 1987; Gibson & Hulbert 1987). There are inherent strengths and weaknesses to both these approaches. Experimental studies, usually carried out at only one site or in small plots, may reflect local conditions; conversely, large-scale field observations usually lack statistical rigour (Hurlbert 1984) and treatment effects may be obscured by large-scale landscape heterogeneity (e.g. Gibson 1988a).10atallgrass prairie1 aGibson, D.J.1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aBriggs, J., M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/management-practices-tallgrass-prairie-large-and-small-scale-experimental-effects-species02258nas a2200145 4500008004100000245011100041210006900152300001300221490000600234520169600240100001701936700001901953700001501972856012501987 1993 eng d00aMaximization of aboveground grassland production: the role of defoliation frequency, intensity and history0 aMaximization of aboveground grassland production the role of def a175 -1860 v33 aProduction of tallgrass prairie vegetation was measured on experimental plots in which defoliation intensity and frequency were manipulated by mowing and using movable exclosures on areas chronically grazed by cattle. Defoliation history largely controlled whether or not defoliated plants overcompensated (exhibited enhanced production compared to undefoliated controls) for tissue removal. Plants on chronically grazed sites only compensated for foliage removed by grazers. Production on plots mowed prior to the year of measurement was similar to that on chronically grazed sites, while previously unmowed plots exhibited substantial aboveground overcompensation. Aboveground production was maximized by the most frequent mowing treatment and by intermediate mowing heights. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and amounts in aboveground tissues were increased by mowing and grazing. Current mowing regime was more important than mowing history in determining nitrogen concentrations except very early in the growing season. Effects of grazing and mowing on belowground biomass were inconsistent, but frequent mowing appeared to limit accumulation of belowground N reserves and biomass. In North American grasslands, overcompensation is a nonequilibrium plant response to grazing. Photosynthate that would be stored as reserves and used for root growth and flower and seed production instead is used to replace lost leaf area, thereby resulting in higher foliage productivity. However, under chronic grazing or mowing, vegetation is prevented from maintaining high nutrient and water uptake capacity (large root biomass) and accumulating reserves that allow overcompensation responses.1 aTurner, C.L.1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aDyer, M.I. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/maximization-aboveground-grassland-production-role-defoliation-frequency-intensity-and00478nas a2200133 4500008004100000245006600041210006500107300001300172490000600185100001800191700002400209700001500233856009600248 1993 eng d00aMechanisms and processes in vegetation dynamics: Introduction0 aMechanisms and processes in vegetation dynamics Introduction a146 -1480 v41 aAgnew, A.D.Q.1 aCollins, Scott., L.1 aMaarel, E. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mechanisms-and-processes-vegetation-dynamics-introduction02211nas a2200145 4500008004100000245013100041210006900172300001300241490000600254520162200260653002201882100001501904700001801919856012801937 1993 eng d00aMethane consumption and carbon dioxide emission in tallgrass prairie: effects of biomass burning and conversion to agriculture0 aMethane consumption and carbon dioxide emission in tallgrass pra a735 -7840 v73 aConsumption of atmospheric methane and emission of carbon dioxide by soils were measured on unburned and annually burned tallgrass prairie and on adjacent wheat and sorghum agricultural plots in Kansas. Profiles of CH4 and CO2 concentration with soil depth were also measured. Overall patterns of CH4 consumption by soils varied temporally, with soil depth and land use. Mean CH4 consumption for the 200-day sampling period was −1.02 mg CH4 m−2 d−1 (SE=0.13, n=41) for burned prairie, −0.63 (SE=0.09, n=45) for unburned prairie, −0.85 (SE=0.20, n=36) for wheat, and −0.45 (SE=0.08, n=40) for sorghum. Less than 20 % of the variance in CH4 consumption was explained by soil temperature and/or moisture content. Overall patterns of CO2 emission from prairie and agricultural soils varied temporally, but not among land use. Mean CO2 emission for the 200-day sampling period was 15.7 g CO2 m−2 d−1 (SE=1.8, n=41) for burned prairie, 14.5 (SE=1.3, n=45) for unburned prairie, 13.9 (SE=2.1, n=36) for wheat, and 10.3 (SE=2.1, n=40) for sorghum. More than 70% of the variance in prairie CO2 emission rate was explained by soil temperature and moisture. Crop management practices influenced the timing of CO2 emission from agricultural plots but not the net annual rate of emission. Methane concentrations generally decreased and CO2 concentrations increased with soil depth, and the magnitude of CH4 and CO2 flux generally increased with increased magnitude of the soil gas concentration gradient. Fertilization of agricultural fields had no measured effect on CH4 or CO2 flux or on soil gas concentrations.10atallgrass prairie1 aTate, C.M.1 aStrigel, R.G. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/methane-consumption-and-carbon-dioxide-emission-tallgrass-prairie-effects-biomass-burning01982nas a2200157 4500008004100000245006900041210006900110300001500179490000700194520151300201100001501714700001801729700001501747700001401762856004801776 1993 eng d00aMicrobial decomposition of elm and oak leaves in a karst aquifer0 aMicrobial decomposition of elm and oak leaves in a karst aquifer a3592 -35960 v593 aDry Chinquapin oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and American elm (Ulmus americana) leaves were placed in four microcosms fed by groundwater springs to monitor changes in dry mass, ash-free dry mass, and microbial activity over a 35-day period. Oxygen microelectrodes were used to measure microbial activity and to estimate millimeter-scale heterogeneity in that activity. Oak leaves lost mass more slowly than elm leaves. Generally, there was a decrease in total dry weight over the first 14 days, after which total dry weight began to increase. However, there were consistent decreases in ash-free dry mass over the entire incubation period, suggesting that the material remaining after initial leaf decomposition trapped inorganic particles. Microbial activity was higher on elm leaves than on oak leaves, with peak activity occurring at 6 and 27 days, respectively. The level of oxygen saturation on the bottom surface of an elm leaf ranged between 0 and 75% within a 30-mm2 area. This spatial heterogeneity in O2 saturation disappeared when the water velocity increased from 0 to 6 cm s-1. Our results suggest that as leaves enter the groundwater, they decompose and provide substrate for microorganisms. The rate of decomposition depends on leaf type, small-scale variations in microbial activity, water velocity, and the length of submersion time. During the initial stages of decomposition, anoxic microzones are formed that could potentially be important to the biogeochemistry of the otherwise oxic aquifer.1 aEichem, A.1 aDodds, W., K.1 aTate, C.M.1 aEdler, C. uhttp://aem.asm.org/content/59/11/3592.short00661nas a2200169 4500008004100000245009100041210006900132260005400201300001300255490000700268100002100275700001700296700002000313700002500333700002000358856011300378 1993 eng d00aMicromorphology of polygenetic soils in a small watershed, north central Kansas, U.S.A0 aMicromorphology of polygenetic soils in a small watershed north  aTownsville, AustraliabElsevier Science Publisher a247 -2550 v221 aWehmueller, W.A.1 aRansom, M.D.1 aNettleton, W.D.1 aRingrose-Vaose, A.J.1 aHumphreys, G.S. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/micromorphology-polygenetic-soils-small-watershed-north-central-kansas-usa01819nas a2200145 4500008004100000245013800041210006900179300001300248490000700261520123400268100001901502700001701521700001601538856011901554 1992 eng d00aMass loss and nitrogen dynamics of decaying litter of grasslands: the apparent low nitrogen immobilization potential of root detritus0 aMass loss and nitrogen dynamics of decaying litter of grasslands a384 -3910 v703 a

Litter-bag studies and simulation modeling were used to examine the relationship between mass loss and nitrogen content of decaying prairie foliage and root litter. In contrast with forest studies, grassland roots were low in lignin and nitrogen, decayed more rapidly than foliage, and demonstrated very low nitrogen immobilization potentials. Our findings agree with reports indicating that buried substrates with high C:N ratios do not immobilize substantial amounts of nitrogen-limited environments induce steeper slopes in the mass loss-nitrogen concentration relationship. However, results suggesting rapid nitrogen mineralization contradict our own studies demonstrating reduced inorganic nitrogen availability in soils of frequently burned prairie. Simulation of observed patterns using the CENTURY grassland model indicated that these results could not occur without creating soil organic matter with unrealistically high C:N ratios. Litter-bag studies of buried substrates therefore may provide an incomplete perspective on the mass loss and nitrogen dynamics of buried litter in grassland and agroecosystem soils. key words: Andropogon gerardii, C:N ratio, decomposition, immobilization, mineralization, nitrogen

1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aParton, W.J.1 aOjima, D.S. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mass-loss-and-nitrogen-dynamics-decaying-litter-grasslands-apparent-low-nitrogen00516nas a2200133 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124300001300193490000700206100002100213700001700234700002000251856011100271 1992 eng d00aMineralization of organic phosphorus by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi0 aMineralization of organic phosphorus by vesiculararbuscular myco a897 -9030 v241 aJayachandran, K.1 aSchwab, A.P.1 aHetrick, B.A.D. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mineralization-organic-phosphorus-vesicular-arbuscular-mycorrhizal-fungi00461nas a2200121 4500008004100000245007600041210006900117300001300186490000700199100001200206700001600218856010500234 1991 eng d00aModeling canopy stomatal conductance in a temperate grassland ecosystem0 aModeling canopy stomatal conductance in a temperate grassland ec a149 -1660 v551 aKim, J.1 aVerma, S.B. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/modeling-canopy-stomatal-conductance-temperate-grassland-ecosystem00339nas a2200109 4500008004100000245003800041210003800079300001300117490000700130100002000137856007200157 1991 eng d00aMycorrhizas and root architecture0 aMycorrhizas and root architecture a355 -3610 v471 aHetrick, B.A.D. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizas-and-root-architecture00514nas a2200145 4500008004100000245007100041210006900112300001300181490000700194100001500201700001900216700001600235700001700251856010000268 1989 eng d00aMapping surface soil moisture with L-band radiometric measurements0 aMapping surface soil moisture with Lband radiometric measurement a305 -3120 v271 aWang, J.R.1 aSchmugge, T.J.1 aShiue, J.C.1 aEngman, E.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mapping-surface-soil-moisture-l-band-radiometric-measurements01701nas a2200169 4500008004100000245007500041210006900116300001300185490000700198520113700205653002201342100001601364700001701380700001101397700001901408856010401427 1989 eng d00aMeasuring and modeling spectral characteristics of a tallgrass prairie0 aMeasuring and modeling spectral characteristics of a tallgrass p a143 -1550 v273 a

This study was conducted to evaluate the diurnal and seasonal, spectral reflectance characteristics of burned and unburned areas of a tallgrass prairie, based on field measurements and models of radiation transport in plant canopies. Burning of the senescent vegetation, resulting from the previous years' growth, is a common management practice, which results in improved productivity and affects the succession of grass species. The burned and unburned grass canopies showed distinctly different, diurnal and seasonal, spectral reflectance characteristics in the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum. These were attributed to the differences in development of the two plant canopies and the azimuthal differences in sensor-sun-canopy positions during field measurements of spectral reflectance. The radiation transfer model properly simulated the diurnal spectral behavior of the two canopies. The simulated, seasonal, spectral reflectance values for the unburned grass canopy were greater than the measured ones, because of limitations in proper representation of the layer of senescent vegetation in the model

10atallgrass prairie1 aAsrar, G.A.1 aMyneni, R.B.1 aLi, Y.1 aKanemasu, E.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/measuring-and-modeling-spectral-characteristics-tallgrass-prairie01337nas a2200145 4500008004100000245008500041210006900126300001100195490000700206520081600213100001901029700001601048700001601064856011101080 1989 eng d00aMicroarthropods in decaying wood from temperate coniferous and deciduous forests0 aMicroarthropods in decaying wood from temperate coniferous and d a69 -770 v333 a

Microarthropod population densities in large woody debris increase the decay process. Maximum densities were about 2 X 106 individuals per m3 of wood, but remained 2-10 times lower than population densities found in an equivalent amount of litter and soil from either coniferous or deciduous forests. Oribatid mites are the most abundant microarthropods in wood. Species diversity of all microarthropod groups is lower in decaying wood compared with species numbers in litter and soil. The dominant species in wood appear to be mycophagous; the number of wood-feeding microarthropods composes a small minority of both species and numbers of fauna found in decaying boles. Key words: coniferous forest, decay, decidous forest, population density, microarthropods, mites, Oribatids, species diversity, wood

1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aReddy, M.V.1 aCline, S.P. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microarthropods-decaying-wood-temperate-coniferous-and-deciduous-forests00564nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011400041210006900155300001500224490000700239100002100246700001700267700002000284856012600304 1989 eng d00aMycorrhizal mediation of phosphorus availability: synthetic iron chelate effects on phosphorus solubilization0 aMycorrhizal mediation of phosphorus availability synthetic iron  a1701 -17060 v531 aJayachandran, K.1 aSchwab, A.P.1 aHetrick, B.A.D. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-mediation-phosphorus-availability-synthetic-iron-chelate-effects-phosphorus02118nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012300041210006900164300001100233490000700244520156100251653002201812100001901834856013101853 1988 eng d00aMass, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in foliage and root detritus of annually burned and unburned tallgrass prairie0 aMass nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in foliage and root detrit a59 -650 v693 a

Mass, nitrogen, and phosphorus of litterfall were measured for 4 yr on annually burned and unburned tallgrass prairie near Manhattan, Kansas. Decomposition and mineralization rates of foliage, flowering stem, and roots were concurrently studied with a series of litterbag and tethered litter experiments. Amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in living and dead foliage and roots were measured for 2 yr on an annually burned site. Litterfall exhibited seasonal peaks on all sites, with most of the annualy litter deposition occurring in autumn. An average of 52 g.m-2.yr-1 of litter was deposited on the soil of the annual burned watersheds, while 142 g.m-2.yr-1 was collected on unburned sites. Nitrogen and phosphorus amounts were 0.53 and 0.07 g.m-2.yr-1, respectively, from burned sites and 1.94 and 0.19 g.m-2.yr-1 on unburned sites. Litterfall on unburned sites averaged approximately 35% of aboveground maximum biomass estimates. Litter decay rates varied from a minimum of approximately 10%/yr for flowering stems in the canopy to a maximum of approximately 50%/yr for roots. Foliage and stems act as nitrogen and phosphorus sinks during the first 2 yr of decomposition. Dead roots and rhizomes also act as temporary nitrogen sinks, but unlike foliage, roots appear to mineralize significant amounts of phosphorus during the 1st yr of decay. Root nitrogen to phosphorus ratios may provide a proximate explanation for nitrogen limitation in tallgrass prairies. Key words: decomposition, litterfall, nitrogen, phosphorus, roots, tallgrass prairie

10atallgrass prairie1 aSeastedt, T.R. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mass-nitrogen-and-phosphorus-dynamics-foliage-and-root-detritus-annually-burned-and-unburned01430nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161300001300230490000700243520085600250100001901106700001801125700001601143856012501159 1988 eng d00aMaximization of densities of soil animals by foliage herbivory: empirical evidence, graphical and conceptual models0 aMaximization of densities of soil animals by foliage herbivory e a243 -2480 v513 a

Feeding by consumers on one portion of a plant resource often results in benefits to consumer feeding on other portions of the same resource. Moderate grazing of foliage often increases densities and biomass of belowground herbivores and detritivores in spite of a neutral or reduced root growth response to foliage removal. Graphical and conceptual models are presented to describe these responses and suggest causal relationships. Empirical data and the models indicate that the positive numerical response of soil animals to foliage herbivory results from increased quality (nitrogen concentration) of roots and changes in consumer assimilation efficiencies. Root growth and senescence and acquisition of soil inorganic nitrogen by microbes colonizing senescent roots are hypothesized as additional causal agents for the soil animal response

1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aRamundo, R.A.1 aHayes, D.C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/maximization-densities-soil-animals-foliage-herbivory-empirical-evidence-graphical-and01499nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012800041210006900169300001300238490000700251520094000258653001901198100002201217856012601239 1988 eng d00aMicrohabitat distribution of two Quercus (Fagaceae ) species in relation to soil differences within a Kansas gallery Forest0 aMicrohabitat distribution of two Quercus Fagaceae species in rel a244 -2460 v333 a

The primary objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between microhabitat distributions of these two gallery forest oak species and the soils on which they grow. Data are from collections and observations made within an extensive gallery forest on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area in northeastern Kansas (96o35'W, 39o05'N). This forest borders King's Creek and is supported by fertile soils developed from deposited alluvium, the origins of which were the adjacent Udic Ustoll prairie soils. The forest overstory is dominated by hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L., 260 stems/ha) and contains five times more Q. macrocarpa stems, and seven times more Q. macrocarpa basal area than Q. muhlenbergii (48 to 10 stems/ha; 10.8 to 1.5 m2/ha) Although Q. mulhenbergii is clearly less dominant than Q. macrocarpa in the forest overall, Q. mulhenbergii completely dominates patches within the forest mosaic

10agallery forest1 aKillingbeck, K.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microhabitat-distribution-two-quercus-fagaceae-species-relation-soil-differences-within02552nas a2200157 4500008004100000245006000041210006000101300001300161490000700174520205800181653002202239100001802261700001602279700001802295856008102313 1988 eng d00aMovements of the deer mouse in response to prairie fire0 aMovements of the deer mouse in response to prairie fire a225 -2290 v203 a

Movements of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in response to spring fire were studied using a 13-ha study site on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas. Approximately one-half of the grid was burned on 19 April 1984 following two weeks of intensive sampling of small mammals; periodic censuses were then made during the first five weeks after the fire. Density on the grid more than doubled (20 to 43 individuals) from the two weeks immediately before to 3-5 weeks after the fire. This change resulted from the classic response of deer mice to conditions created by fire with an increase in the number of individuals using the burned portion (BURN) of the grid exclusively (prefire: 5, postfire: 22) as well as individuals using both the burned and unburned portions (UNBURN) of the grid (prefire: 1, postfire: 6), but not from individuals using the unburned portion of the grid exclusively (prefire: 14, postfire: 15). Due to the known ecological requirements and the rapidity of density response observed in earlier studies, we predicted that the increase in density of deer mice in burned relative to unburned prairie shortly after a spring fire was due to the net movement of individuals from unburned to burned prairie. Postfire movements of deer mice present before our experimental fire were consistent with our predictions; however, the number of individuals present was too small to demonstrate a significant pattern of differential movements. For deer mice originally caught during the first two weeks after fire and then recaptured 3-5 weeks after fire, the proportion of mice captured in UNBURN that shifted to partial or complete use of BURN (7 individuals shifted: 4 stayed) was significantly greater than the proportion of mice captured in BURN that shifted to partial or complete use of UNBURN (1 shifted: 8 stayed). These observations supported our general prediction that in response to fire the net movement of deer mice into burned prairie is greater than net movement of deer mice into unburned tall-grass prairie

10atallgrass prairie1 aKaufman, D.W.1 aGurtz, S.K.1 aKaufman, G.A. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/movements-deer-mouse-response-prairie-fire01695nas a2200157 4500008004100000245010000041210006900141300001500210490000700225520110000232653002201332100002001354700001501374700001701389856013101406 1988 eng d00aMycorrhizal dependence and growth habit of warm-season and cool-season tallgrass prairie plants0 aMycorrhizal dependence and growth habit of warmseason and coolse a1376 -13800 v663 a

Warm-season (C4) and cool-season (C3) mycorrhizal grasses were 63-215 and 0.12-4.1 times larger in dry weight than non-inoculated controls, respectively. Nonmycorrhizal warm-season plants did not grow and frequently died, while cool-season plants grew moderately well in the absense of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Like warm-season grasses, tallgrass prairie forbs were highly dependent on mycorrhizal symbiosis, even though they are not known to employ the C4 photosynthetic pathway. Thus, phenology may be more critical than photosynthetic pathway in determining mycorrhizal dependence. Warm-season grasses and forbs had coarser, less frequently branched root systems than cool-season grasses, supporting the hypothesis that mycorrhizal dependence is related to root morphology. Cool-season grasses may have developed more fibrous root systems because mycorrhizal nutrient uptake was not effective in the colder temperature environment in which they evolved. In contrast, warm-season plants and dependence on mycorrhizal fungi may have coevolved, because both symbionts are of tropical origin

10atallgrass prairie1 aHetrick, B.A.D.1 aKitt, D.G.1 aWilson, G.T. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mycorrhizal-dependence-and-growth-habit-warm-season-and-cool-season-tallgrass-prairie-plants01551nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012700041210006900168300001100237490000700248520096300255653002201218100001701240700001901257856012901276 1987 eng d00aMicro-based Landsat TM data processing for tallgrass prairie monitoring in the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas0 aMicrobased Landsat TM data processing for tallgrass prairie moni a76 -800 v103 a

Despite the large amount of evidence supporting the important role that burning and frequency of burning have on grassland resources, information on the spatial extent of burning in the Flint Hills of Kansas has not been developed. This is primarily due to the massive data requirements needed to access burning on a regional scale. This study assesses the regional potential for monitoring burning practices in the Flint Hills of Kansas using satellite data. The specific objective of this study was to ascertain the utility of Landsat thematic mapper digital data for delineating the spatial characteristics of burning in the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area. The Konza Prairie is an area exceeding 8,000 acres owned by Nature Conservancy and leased to Kansas State University for long-term ecological research. The management objectives of the research area are based on the efforts of periodic fire and grazing on a tall grass prairie ecosystem

10atallgrass prairie1 aNellis, M.D.1 aBriggs, J., M. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/micro-based-landsat-tm-data-processing-tallgrass-prairie-monitoring-konza-prairie-research01357nas a2200205 4500008004100000245006300041210006200104300001300166490000700179520073500186653002200921100001600943700001800959700001800977700001600995700001601011700001901027700001601046856008901062 1986 eng d00aMammals of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas0 aMammals of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area Kansas a153 -1660 v183 a

An annotated list of the mammals was compiled from trapping records and observation for the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area (KONZA), a tall-grass prairie in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas. Thirty-one species, 1 opossum, 2 shrews, 1 mole, 1 rabbit, 17 rodents, 7 carnivores, and 2 ungulates, were recorded. Habitat use and range for each species were included relative to our experience with the animals on KONZA. Percent composition of small mammals was presented by habitat type for 15 species captured on 26 permanent live traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 1984. The likelihood of occurrence on KONZA was disscused for 15 species (8 bats, 1 hare, 2 rodents, and 4 carnivores) not presently recorded for the site

10atallgrass prairie1 aFinck, E.J.1 aKaufman, D.W.1 aKaufman, G.A.1 aGurtz, S.K.1 aClark, B.K.1 aMcLellan, L.J.1 aClark, B.S. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/mammals-konza-prairie-research-natural-area-kansas01254nas a2200157 4500008004100000245006600041210006600107300001300173490000800186520075000194653001000944653001200954653001700966100001900983856009401002 1985 eng d00aMaximization of primary and secondary productivity by grazers0 aMaximization of primary and secondary productivity by grazers a559 -5640 v1263 a

Not only have consumers coevolved with their food resources, but they have coevolved with them as these resources have been modified by other herbivores and detritivores. Current theory states that most plants respond to herbivory by producing chemical that adversely affect the growth or survivorship of the herbivores. Certain consumers, however, may exhibit positive growth responses when these changes in plant chemistry occur. Increased growth is predicted whenever herbivory increases the quality of the food resource via plant stress or when it removes chemicals having a negative effect on the palatability or assimilation of the resource. I suggest that these positive responses are more widespread than is currently acknowledged

10agraze10aprimary10aproductivity1 aSeastedt, T.R. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/maximization-primary-and-secondary-productivity-grazers00856nas a2200145 4500008004100000245006300041210006300104300001300167490000700180520038800187653001300575653001200588100001600600856009400616 1984 eng d00aMale dickcissel behavior in primary and secondary habitats0 aMale dickcissel behavior in primary and secondary habitats a672 -6800 v963 a

In this paper I document the difference in habitat quality between primary oldfield habitat and secondary prairie habitat and its relationship with arrival times of males and females and female/male sex ratios. Primary habitat is defined as higher quality habitat where individual density is high, while secondary habitats have lower quality habitat and low individual density

10abehavior10ahabitat1 aFinck, E.J. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/male-dickcissel-behavior-primary-and-secondary-habitats01283nas a2200133 4500008004100000245006100041210006100102300001300163490000700176520083300183653002201016100001901038856009201057 1984 eng d00aMicroarthropods of burned and unburned tallgrass prairie0 aMicroarthropods of burned and unburned tallgrass prairie a468 -4760 v573 a

Microarthropod densities in the top 5 cm of soil of tallgrass prairie averaged 47,700 individuals/m2 on burned sites versus 73,800 individuals/m2 on sites not burned for the last 5 years. Oribatid mites, mesostigmatid mites and collembolans were more numerous on unburned sites while prostigamatid mite numbers were not affected by burning. Densities of microarthropods in the uppermost 5 cm of soil were correlated with the amount of litterfall at various sites, but were not correlated with indices of plant productivity. Numbers of microarthropods at the 5-10 cm layer of soil were not different on burned and unburned sites and averaged 20,200 individuals/m2. A preliminary survey of the mites (Acari) on Konza Prairie indicated a minimum of 81 species. The mite fauna appears as diverse as other temperate ecosystems

10atallgrass prairie1 aSeastedt, T.R. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/microarthropods-burned-and-unburned-tallgrass-prairie00553nas a2200133 4500008004100000245009100041210006900132260004300201300001000244490002100254653001300275100001600288856011500304 1983 eng d00aMale behavior, territory quality and female choice in the dickcissel (Spiza americana)0 aMale behavior territory quality and female choice in the dickcis aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -790 vPhD Dissertation10abehavior1 aFinck, E.J. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/male-behavior-territory-quality-and-female-choice-dickcissel-spiza-americana00591nas a2200157 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124260004300193300001000236490002100246653001800267653000900285653001100294100001600305856011200321 1982 eng d00aMacroinvertebrates and leaf litter decomposition in a tallgrass prairie stream0 aMacroinvertebrates and leaf litter decomposition in a tallgrass  aManhattan, KSbKansas State University a1 -600 vPhD Dissertation10adecomposition10aleaf10astream1 aSmith, D.L. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/macroinvertebrates-and-leaf-litter-decomposition-tallgrass-prairie-stream01724nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007700041210006900118260006400187300001100251520108700262653001601349653000901365653001501374653001201389100001801401700001801419856010501437 1973 eng d00aManagement of Konza Prairie to approximate pre-white-man fire influences0 aManagement of Konza Prairie to approximate prewhiteman fire infl aManhattan, KSbDivision of Biology, Kansas State University a14 -163 a

Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, 916 acres (370.9 hectares) of unplowed native bluesteam prairie, 10 miles south of Manhattan, Kansas, was purchased in 1971 by The Nature Conservancy and given to the Kansas State University Endowment Association for ecological research. The objective of management is to approximate the pre-white-man prairie ecosystem. Fires in that system were caused by lightning and Indians. Although lightning occurs primarily during the growing season, lightning storms have been recorded every month of the year. Spring has a slightly higher incidence of lightning than autumn. A burning plan has been developed for Konza Prairie with four replications of six treatments: unburned, burned in late April at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 10-year intervals, and burned after years when precipitation was at least 1.2 times the mediam. These treatments include the possible range of fire occurrence in pre-white-man times, so they should allow us to assess both the ways fire affects prairie and the frequencies that result in perpetuating prairie in good condition

10adisturbance10afire10amanagement10aprairie1 aHulbert, L.C.1 aHulbert, L.C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/management-konza-prairie-approximate-pre-white-man-fire-influences