scholarly journals Response of Tallgrass Prairie to Management in the U.S. Southern Great Plains: Site Descriptions, Management Practices, and Eddy Covariance Instrumentation for a Long-Term Experiment

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Wagle ◽  
Prasanna H. Gowda ◽  
Brian K. Northup ◽  
Patrick J. Starks ◽  
James P. S. Neel

Understanding the consequences of different management practices on vegetation phenology, forage production and quality, plant and microbial species composition, greenhouse gas emissions, and water budgets in tallgrass prairie systems is vital to identify best management practices. As part of the Southern Plains Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (SP-LTAR) grassland study, a long-term integrated Grassland-LivestOck Burning Experiment (iGLOBE) has been established with a cluster of six eddy covariance (EC) systems on differently managed (i.e., different burning and grazing regimes) native tallgrass prairie systems located in different landscape positions. The purpose of this paper is to describe this long-term experiment, report preliminary results on the responses of differently managed tallgrass prairies under variable climates using satellite remote sensing and EC data, and present future research directions. In general, vegetation greened-up and peaked early, and produced greater forage yields in burned years. However, drought impacts were greater in burned sites due to reductions in soil water availability by burning. The impact of grazing on vegetation phenology was confounded by several factors (e.g., cattle size, stocking rate, precipitation). Moreover, prairie systems located in different landscapes responded differently, especially in dry years due to differences in water availability. The strong correspondence between vegetation phenology and eddy fluxes was evidenced by strong linear relationships of a greenness index (i.e., enhanced vegetation index) with evapotranspiration and gross primary production. Results indicate that impacts of climate and management practices on vegetation phenology may profoundly impact carbon and water budgets of tallgrass prairie. Interacting effects of multiple management practices and inter-annual climatic variability on the responses of tallgrass prairie highlight the necessity of establishing an innovative and comprehensive long-term experiment to address inconsistent responses of tallgrass prairie to different intensities, frequencies, timing, and duration of management practices, and to identify best management practices.

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1683-1693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira H. Daroub ◽  
Timothy A. Lang ◽  
Orlando A. Diaz ◽  
Sabine Grunwald

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Lu ◽  
Zhenli L. He ◽  
Peter J. Stoffella

Land application of biosolids has proven a cost-effective method of waste disposal by beneficially recycling organic matter and nutrients and improving soil quality; however, it may also pose potential threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of this paper is to provide information on recent research progresses and regulation efforts regarding land application of biosolids, including forms and types and nutrient values of biosolids, environmental and health concerns, and related best management practices (BMPs) of biosolids application, with emphasis on its land application in agriculture. More research and regulations are expected to minimize potential risks of biosolids land application, especially its long-term impacts.


<i>Abstract.</i>—Fishing is an exciting, popular, family-oriented activity that can be ideal as an introduction to and long-term platform for achieving aquatic resources stewardship. Many agencies and stakeholder organizations have developed fishing programs for this purpose, and each year, millions of people participate in these programs across the country. This paper will identify best management practices for assessing and evaluating fishing programs for effectiveness in achieving that goal. It will address program goals, objectives, logic models and needs assessment, developing environmental sensitivity, and social context and support. Findings are based on extensive work conducted by educators and aquatic resources practitioners as part of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Best Practices in Boating, Fishing, and Aquatic Resources Stewardship project.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document