Standing dead and litter decomposition of big bluestem foliage and flowering stems were measured for two years using litterbag methods. Mass, nitrogen and phosphorus content were measured.
In 1991, an irrigation transect experiment was established near the Konza Prairie HQ to assess the effects of supplemental water on ecological processes in tallgrass prairie. The site is burned annually in the spring. The transect spans upland, hillside and lowland topographic positions with irrigation and sampling points (12) located at 10 m intervals. Adjacent control transects are marked on both sides of the irrigation transect. Irrigation is scheduled according to estimates of actual evapotranspiration and measures of plant water status.
Data set contains estimates of end-of-season standing crop biomass (grams per square meter) of live graminoids, forbs, woody plants, and previous year's dead vegetation for 2 soil types (shallow and deep) on three core LTER watersheds representing three fire frequency treatments. Twenty quadrats (0.1 square meters) are harvested for each soil/treatment type. NOTE: Early (April) and mid-season (July) biomass was collected from 1983-1988, and these data are available by request.
Data set contains estimates of standing crop biomass (grams per square meter) of live graminoids, forbs, woody plants, current year's dead, and previous year's dead vegetation. Twenty quadrats (0.1 square meters) are harvested for each watershed (001a and 020a) on each sample date.
Data set contains estimates of standing crop biomass (grams per square meter) of live graminoids, forbs, woody plants, and previous year's dead vegetation for 2 soil types (shallow and deep) and seasonal burning treatments (spring, summer, fall, winter).
Data set contains estimates of end-of-season standing crop biomass (grams per square meter) of live graminoids, forbs, woody plants, current year's dead, and previous year's dead vegetation for 2 soil types (shallow and deep) on watersheds of various burning-grazing treatments. Twenty quadrats (0.1 square meters) are harvested for each soil/treatment type. NOTE: Early (April) and mid-season (July) biomass was collected from 1983-1988, and these data are vailable by request.
Data set contains estimates of end-of-season standing crop biomass (grams per square meter) of live graminoids, forbs, woody plants, and previous year's dead vegetation for 2 soil types (shallow and deep) on the four Fire Reversal Experiment watersheds. This experiment is based on reversing fire treatments on four watersheds, two of which had a history of annual spring burning and two of which had a history of long-term fire suppression. The dataset includes both pre- and post-fire treatments.
To address the potential interactive effects of fire, aboveground biomass removal, and nutrient amendments on above- and belowground responses, a long-term field experiment was initiated in 1986 as part of the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program.
To address the potential interactive effects of fire, aboveground biomass removal, and nutrient amendments on above- and belowground responses, a long-term field experiment was initiated in 1986 as part of the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program.
To address the potential interactive effects of fire, aboveground biomass removal, and nutrient amendments on above- and belowground responses, a long-term field experiment was initiated in 1986 as part of the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program.
‘PBG’ datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC.
Data set contains estimates of end-of-season standing crop biomass (grams per square meter) of live graminoids, forbs, woody plants, and previous year's dead vegetation in grazing exclosures. Date from exclosures is used to determine long-term effects of bison grazing on aboveground net primary productivity.
Data collected to assess the effects of burning, mowing and fertilizer treatments in the Belowground Plot Experiment upon flowering stem height and density of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (A. scoparious) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and total aboveground net primary productivity.
Litterfall is collected monthly (more frequently during peak litterfall in October and November) at permanent sampling sites in the mixed deciduous gallery forest located along the lower reaches of Kings Creek at the Konza Prairie Biological Station. Thirty litterfall traps, 50 x 50 cm (.25 m2) are located along the north fork of Kings Creek, and two are located on the south fork of Kings Creek. The north fork boxes are numbered 31 to 60 and the south fork boxes are numbered 1 and 2.
Twenty-nine selected species of grasses, forbs, and woody vegetation characteristic of a variety of habitats on Konza Prairie are used for phenological measurements. These species are observed weekly for the entire growing season and changes in their phenological states are recorded. The following phenological states are used for this survey: (1) initiation of growth, (2) first anthesis, (3) duration of anthesis, (4) fruits mature, (5) leaves more than 90% dry.
This data set focuses on seed production, flowering stem mass, height, and population densities of three dominant prairie grasses: Andropogon gerardii (ANGE), Sorgastrum nutans (SONU), and Schizachyrium scoparium (ANSC) in selected Konza Prairie LTER watersheds. Data set includes measurements of flowering stem height (m), density (no. per sq. m) and production (grams per sq. m) and total seed weight (grams) and production (grams per sq. m) on 2 soil types (shallow and deep) in watersheds representing different burning-grazing treatment combinations.
Eight root windows (40cm x 40cm) were used to measure fine root production and decay over three years in a 2 factor-factorial experiment (Burning, Mowing). Root lengths were traced every two weeks during the growing season. Production, disappearance and standing crops (lengths) were calculated by 10 cm increments.
In 1989, single transects spanning upland-lowland-upland topographic positions were established in a long-term unburned (0020B) and an annually burned (001D) watershed. Standing crop biomass data were collected in late season at 11 sites along each transect and sorted into live graminoids, forbs and woody plants, current year's dead, and previous years dead vegetation. Four 0.1 m2 quadrats were harvested at each of the 11 sites per watershed and all data except previous years' dead were combined to provide an estimate of aboveground NPP.
Canopy coverage and frequency of plant species were estimated visually in 20 circular 10 sq m plots. Six treatments were sampled, three ungrazed and three to be grazed (in the future) by native grazers (bison). In each case, one of the three watersheds was unburned, another burned annually in April, and the third burned every four years in April. In each treatment two soils were sampled: a lower slope deep fertile non-rocky soil (Tully silty clay loam) and a shallow rocky soil (Florence cherty silt loam) on level to gently sloping ridges.
This data set relates effects of soil, grazing intensity and burning treatments on the establishment and subsequent expansion of woody plants in prairie communities. The locations of woody vegetation are marked on a mylar overlay of an aerial photograph of the area being surveyed with an unique symbol for each species and a number for the size. For trees, size is the height to the nearest meter. For shrubs, the number of stems is recorded as a measure of size if the number is less than 25.
Eighteen gallery forest stands, representing nearly all of the nondisturbed forests on Konza Prairie, were sampled during the 1983 growing season. The point-quarter method at 20 sample points was used to sample overstory vegetation. Species names and diameter were recorded for the four sampled trees in each plot. From these data frequency, density and dominance were calculated to derive importance values for each species in a stand.
The objectives of this project are to quantify the seasonably variable timing among meteoric precipitation, groundwater recharge, and groundwater temperature. Hypotheses are: 1. Because of the karst-like characteristics of the aquifers in N04d (and by extension, the entire region), recharge will be rapid during moderately large precipitation events where fractures are enlarged by dissolution and therefore highly conductive, except during the most active part of the growing season. 2.
The effects of herbivores and their interactions with nutrient availability on primary production and plant community composition in grassland systems is expected to vary with herbivore type. Although nutrient additions are known to affect plant species diversity and primary productivity, the role of herbivores in mediating the strength of these effects also remains unclear. Herbivores may alter plant responses to nutrient additions in several ways.
This dataset includes captures of mainly Grasshopper Sparrows (GRSP) prior to 2017, and after that, additionally many Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlarks, Brown-headed Cowbirds and other songbirds. Each row pertains to an individual captured on a certain day. Individuals can repeat. Most captures include data on age, sex, head-bill, tarsus, wind chord, molt score, fat score, and mass. In many cases, a single feather was collected from each bird for isotopic analyses.
This data set contains data describing Grasshopper Sparrow nests prior to 2017, and after that, additionally many Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlarks, and other songbirds.. These nests were primarily found by rope dragging but also on surveys (see RI Survey Data Set), flushing birds during other activities, and via behavioral observations.
Data on the location, identity, and reproductive index (Vickery et al. 1992) of Grasshopper Sparrows prior to 2017, and after that, additionally many Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlarks, Brown-headed Cowbirds and other songbirds within 10-ha plots on multiple watersheds units on Konza and on two adjoining units on the Rannells Preserve. Each plot was surveyed every ~7-10 days. These surveys documented individual sparrow, Dickcissel, and Eastern Meadowlark locations, and are used to calculate dispersal distances and territory densities and movements.
This data set includes data on the contents of sweep samples. We collected sweeps in select years during May, June, and/or July in 3 locations on each of the focal watersheds. Sweeps were 80m long and centered at veg points. Data consist of information about the sampling events, and sample wet mass, edible mass (combined mass of selected orders listed below).
Data set includes estimates of vegetation structure and composition collected during ~monthly sampling events on Konza Prairie watersheds and on the nearby Rannell’s Preserve. Vegetation data were collected from three (prior to 2017) or 10 randomly-selected locations on each watershed; two from outside the 10-ha plot (see project abstract) and one inside the plot. We sampled vegetation on each watershed once a month, during May, June, and July. Additional vegetation data were collected from bird nest sites within ~3 days of nests failing.
‘PBG’ datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC.
"PBG" datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC.
'PBG' datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC.
‘PBG’ datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC.
Increased nutrient inputs is one of many global change factors predicted to affect the composition and ecosystem function of plant communities. In general, nitrogen deposition decreases diversity and increases productivity. The effects of phosphorus addition have received less attention, however, and the interactive effect of both nutrients is likely to exacerbate diversity loss over time. Here we addressed whether chronic nutrient additions changed community structure and ecosystem productivity of a native tallgrass prairie.
Long-term monitoring of bird presence is performed on Konza Prairie. The purpose was to determine bird species phenology of occurrence on entire Konza Prairie. Data on the presence, including documented nesting, of all bird species is recorded weekly in five-year periods e.g. 1980-1984, 1985-1989, 1990-1994.
‘PBG’ datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC.
Prairie stream fish communities have been monitored seasonally at multiple sites within the Kings Creek watershed since 1995. The objective of this sampling is to evaluate how these communities respond to seasonal and annual variation in environmental conditions. Specifically, we are interesting in testing the resistance and resilience of stream communities in response to flood and drought disturbances. One site in a downstream perennial reach of the watershed has been sampled since 1995.
Data set contains summaries (summer) of the number of individuals of each species of small mammal captured (relative abundance) on each transect. Each record contains date, treatment, transect, trap station, species, specimen number, recapture status, specimen disposition, external body measurements (where applicable), reproductive information, and miscellaneous associated comments.
The goals and focal research questions are copied below from the Nutrient Network website. More information can be found at nutnet.org.
NutNet focal research questions: (1) How general is our current understanding of productivity-diversity relationships? (2) To what extent are plant production and diversity co-limited by multiple nutrients in herbacoues-dominated communities? (3) Under what conditions do grazers or fertilization control plant biomass, diversity, and composition?
Frequent burning is a common land practice in many grasslands worldwide, and this land use strategy has large impacts on a wide variety of ecosystem functions and services. Fire in tallgrass prairie, in the absence of grazing, alters plant community composition, decreases richness, and increases plant production. Proposed mechanisms for the changes in community composition and function are that fire decreases N availability (through volatilization) and removes litter (thereby increasing light availability and decreasing soil moisture).
Annual aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) from the Sequential Prairie Restoration Experiment at the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research site in Manhattan, KS USA. The data (SRP011) include ANPP from the first three years of restoration in each of three restoration sequences initiated in different years. Data correspond to subplot and whole-plot analyses.
Dataset contains 30min averages of many variables used to record changes in microclimatic conditions. Microclimate sensor stations were arrayed in discrete topographic positions (upland, slope, lowland) in 4 watersheds: 1D, 1B, 4B, 4F. No microclimate sensor stations were present in upland-1D or lowland-4B because eddy flux towers are present in these locations. Similar microclimate data is available from these flux towers during the time period of this study.
Woody encroachment into grasslands, savannas, and steppes have become a management and conservation concern worldwide because of the ability of woody plants to change ecosystems through decreases in biodiversity, alterations in water and nutrient cycles as well as decreases in forage production and quality. In grasslands, woody encroachment can be categorized into two groups: non-resprouting species that can be killed with fire and resprouting species that cannot be killed with fire.
PBG datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC. In each patch-burn grazing unit, one watershed is burned and two that are left unburned in a given year.
PBG datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC. In each patch-burn grazing unit, one watershed is burned and two that are left unburned in a given year.
PBG datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC. In each patch-burn grazing unit, one watershed is burned and two that are left unburned in a given year.
PBG datasets are associated with a long-term, large-scale study that is addressing the effects of fire-grazing interactions in the context of a Patch-Burn Grazing management system designed to promote grassland heterogeneity. Effects of patch-burn grazing management on plant and animal diversity and the nature and variety of wildlife habitat are being assessed in two replicate management units, each consisting of three pastures (watersheds) designated C03A/C03B/C03C and C3SA/C3SB/C3SC. In each patch-burn grazing unit, one watershed is burned and two that are left unburned in a given year.
Recent models suggest that herbivores optimize nutrient intake by selecting patches of low to intermediate vegetation biomass. We assessed the application of this hypothesis to plains bison (Bison bison) in an experimental grassland managed with fire by estimating daily rates of nutrient intake in relation to grass biomass and by measuring patch selection in experimental watersheds in which grass biomass was manipulated by prescribed burning.
Rainfall Manipulation Plots facility (RaMPs) is a unique experimental infrastructure that allows us to manipulate precipitation events and temperature, and assess population community, and ecosystem responses in native grassland. This facility allows us to manipulate the amount and timing of individual precipitation events in replicated field plots at the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site.
This GPS-collar data set was used to evaluate the factors that influence where bison choose to graze and how grazing and space use patterns affect ecosystem function and structure. Our objectives were to quantify space use and movement patterns of adult female Plains bison in the context of selection for specific prescribed burn frequencies and topographical features in the bison-grazed watersheds at Konza Prairie.
Climate extremes, such as drought, are increasing in frequency and intensity, and the ecological consequences of these extreme events can be substantial and widespread. Yet, little is known about the factors that determine recovery (or resilience) of ecosystem function post-drought. Such knowledge is particularly important because post-drought recovery periods can be protracted depending on drought legacy effects (e.g., loss key plant populations, altered community structure and/or biogeochemical processes).
