Effects of elevation and selective disturbance on soil climate and vegetation in big sagebrush communities

AbstractThe level of soil organic carbon (SOC) fluctuates in different types of forest stands: this variation can be attributed to differences in tree species, and the variables associated with soil, climate, and topographical features. The present review evaluates the level of SOC in different types of forest stands to determine the factors responsible for the observed variation. Mixed stands have the highest amount of SOC, while coniferous (both deciduous-coniferous and evergreen-coniferous) stands have greater SOC concentrations than deciduous (broadleaved) and evergreen (broadleaved) tree stands. There was a significant negative correlation between SOC and mean annual temperature (MAT) and sand composition, in all types of forest stands. In contrast, the silt fraction has a positive correlation with SOC, in all types of tree stands. Variation in SOC under different types of forest stands in different landscapes can be due to differences in MAT, and the sand and silt fraction of soil apart from the type of forests.

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SOME RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.1936.5.842 ◽

1936 ◽

pp. 157-162

Author(s):

A.W. Hudson

Keyword(s):

Research Problems ◽

Soil Climate

BECAUSE of a keen realization of the large number and the complexity of problems connected with grasslands, problems which vary with soil, climate, and systems of farming, it is with considerable diffidence that one venttires to discuss even a few of them. However, there are some which appear worthy of discussion and investigation and fundamental to the furtherance of research into certain other problems connected witli grasslands.

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Environmental associations ofHesperia dacotae(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/tce.2018.33 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 150 (5) ◽

pp. 652-662 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kelsey M. Seidle ◽

Eric G. Lamb ◽

Angela Bedard-Haughn ◽

Jean-Michel DeVink

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Ground Level ◽

Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽

Plant Composition ◽

Native Prairie ◽

Mixed Grass Prairie ◽

Mixed Grass ◽

Steep Slopes ◽

Soil Climate ◽

Main Factor

AbstractThe Dakota skipper,Hesperia dacotae(Skinner, 1911) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), is an at-risk butterfly that inhabits mesic mixed-grass prairie. Loss of native prairie is the main factor driving declines in Dakota skipper abundance. Currently, there is little knowledge on the environmental and habitat requirements of Saskatchewan, Canada populations. Our objective was to determine environmental associations of Dakota skipper in Saskatchewan through landscape, vegetation, soil, climate, microclimate, and Hesperiidae butterfly occupancy. Data collection was conducted in 2015 and 2016; a total of 46 sites were surveyed; nine of these were Dakota skipper positive (i.e., present) sites and 37 were negative (i.e., non-detected) sites. Results indicate that plant composition is not a significant predictor of Dakota skipper presence, but three plant species are significantly associated with the species;Pediomelum argophyllum(Pursh) Grimes (Fabaceae),Zizia aptera(Gray) Fernald (Apiaceae), andSchizachyrium scoparium(Michaux) Nash (Poaceae). No soil or climate variables were significant predictors of Dakota skipper presence; however it is significantly associated with steep slopes. Warmer maximum and average ground-level temperatures are also associated with Dakota skipper presence. Findings indicate that additional Dakota skipper populations are likely in Saskatchewan and future targeted surveys will allow for a full evaluation of the distribution of this species and conservation status.

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