Tag: Grazing

The Keystone Role of Bison in North American Tallgrass Prairie

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Author: Knapp, Alan K.; Blair, John M.; Briggs, John M.; Collins, Scott L.; Hartnett, David C.; Johnson, Loretta C.; Towne, E. Gene Description: Observations of the influence of bison on tallgrass prairie were carried out at Konza Prairie Research Natural Area in the Flint Hills of northeastern Kansas since 1987, when 30 bison were reintroduced. The herd was allowed to increase until 1992 and has been maintained at about 200 animals since then. The herd was given unrestricted access to a 1012-ha portion of the prairie. It is concluded from…

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Fire and Grazing Regulate Belowground Processes in Tallgrass Prairie

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Author: Johnson, Loretta C.; Matchett, John R. Description: In tallgrass prairie, belowground processes are even more important than in forested systems because aboveground biomass and standing dead litter are periodically removed by frequent fires or grazers. Thus, studies that address factors regulating belowground processes are especially relevant for tallgrass prairie. We predicted that effects of grazing and burning differ belowground and that changes in root productivity caused by burning or grazing provide feedback that affects ecosystem fluxes of C and N. These differences in belowground response should be driven largely…

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