Spatial variability of soil properties in the shortgrass steppe: The relative importance of topography, grazing, microsite, and plant species in controlling spatial patterns
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Authors: I. C. Burke, W. K. Lauenroth, R. Riggle, P. Brannen, B. Madigan, and S. Beard
Date: 1999
Journal: Ecosystems
Volume: 2
Number: 5
Pages: 422-438
Summary of Methods: Burke et al. compared changes in soil characteristics, caused by long-term grazing, topography, microsite and plant species, in a Colorado shortgrass steppe plant community. Topography and microsite had greater effects on soil characteristics than grazing and plant species. Grazing tended to enhance coarse particulate organic matter C and N and soil redistribution, while decreasing soil respiration; however, the magnitude of these differences was limited. The authors conclude that 60 years of grazing has had minimal impacts on soil physical and chemical characteristics in this shortgrass steppe plant community and that the impacts of grazing will likely remain small when compared to the impacts of the other natural disturbances that are present.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: spatial variability, shortgrass steppe, soil organic matter, topography, microsite, grazing
Annotation: None
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