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Below-ground Carbon Storage Study: Konza Prairie

Author

Steve L. Watson,
Colorado State University

Executive Summary 
The goal of this research is to discover how prescribed burning, grazing or mowing frequency, and nutrient additions affect above-ground and below-ground biological process, including soil carbon and nitrogen levels in the tallgrass prairie.



Introduction: Soils of the tallgrass prairie are rich in below-ground carbon and nutrients. Native grasses and forbs have highly productive root systems, which leads to high levels of organic matter. An extensive population of microbes and invertebrates adds to the richness and diversity of the tallgrass prairie soils.  

     
Even in prairie soils, however, soil carbon doesn’t stay at constant levels year-in and year-out. Soil carbon levels can be increased or decreased by environmental and management factors. The carbon in tallgrass prairie soils can either remain in the soil for many years in a stable form of organic matter, or it can be transformed by microbial and plant root respiration back into carbon dioxide (CO2) and returned to the atmosphere.  

     
The goal of this research is to discover how prescribed burning, grazing or mowing frequency, and nutrient additions affect above-ground and below-ground biological process, including soil carbon and nitrogen levels in the tallgrass prairie. The research is being conducted by K-State Research and Extension scientists Chuck Rice, John Blair, Tim Todd, Gail Wilson, and Rosemary Ramundo.  

     
Treatments: The plots were established in 1986. Treatments include:  

     
* Burning: Annual burning and Unburned.  

     
* Mowing: Annual mowing and Unmowed.  

     
* Fertilization: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Nitrogen + Phosphorus, Unfertilized.  

     
Some of the questions being addressed in this research include:  

     
1. Will burning, mowing, and fertilization change soil organic matter levels?  

     
2. Will these treatments change above-ground plant biomass?  

     
3. Will these treatments change plant species composition?  

     
4. What other changes will these treatments cause in above-ground and below-ground ecosystems?  

     
Summary of results:  

     
* Annual burning increased total carbon levels in the soil.  

     
* Nitrogen fertilization also increased total carbon levels in the soil.  

     
* The greatest increase in soil carbon was for the burning + N plots.  

     
* Annual burning and N fertilization also increased above-ground biomass.  

     
Treatment Effect on Total Carbon (g C/m2 at 15 cm depth):  

     
Control -- 4575 g C/m2  

     
Annual Burning -- 4795 g C/m2  

     
N Fertilizer -- 4730 g C/m2  

     
Annual Burning + N Fertilizer -- 4915 g C/m2  

     
Treatment Effect on Above-ground Biomass  

     
Control -- 233  

     
Annual Burning -- 342  

     
N Fertilizer -- 305  

     
Annual Burning + N Fertilizer -- 697  

     

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