@proceedings {KNZ0023, title = {Controlling experimental bluestem prairie fires}, year = {1978}, pages = {169 -171}, publisher = {Iowa State University}, address = {Ames, IA}, abstract = {

Procedures are described that have been developed for experimental burning of 10 to 20 ha watersheds on Konza Prairie Research Natural Area in bluestem prairie near Manhattan, Kansas. First the fuel supply is reduced by July mowing and haying. In the autumn or spring fire guards about one meter wide are burned around the boundary of each watershed by burning between strips of metal edged with a band of chains which are pulled behind a tractor. Fire swatters and power water pumps are used to extinguish any fire that is left as the metal strips pass. At the time of the main burn two crews proceed in opposite directions from the middle of the leeward side. The fire is started next to the fire guard, with the crews ready in case the fire escapes. By the time the fire is started on the windward side, the fire has burned some distance back from the fire guard on the leeward side. The system works well in reasonable weather conditions

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, bluestem, fire, prairie}, author = {Hulbert, L.C.}, editor = {Glenn-Lewin, D.C. and Landers, R.Q.} } @proceedings {KNZ0021, title = {Effect of standing dead plants on stem density in bluestem prairie}, year = {1978}, pages = {78 -81}, publisher = {Iowa State University}, address = {Ames, IA}, abstract = {

Dokken, D.A., and L.C. Hulbert (1978) Effect of standing dead plants on stem density in bluestem prairie. In D.C. Glenn-Lewin and R.Q. Landers Jr. (eds): Proceedings of the Fifth Midwest Prairie Conference, Extension Courses and Conferences. Ames,IA: Iowa State University, pp. 78-81. Stem density in bluestem or tallgrass prairie was measured on the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area near Manhattan, Kansas. Density of steam, both flowering and nonflowering, and depth and oven-dry weight of standing dead plants were measured on two soils, deep and shallow, on areas 0, 1, and 3 years after late-spring burning. On deep soil stem density of Andropogon scoparius was significantly reduced in one year without burning, and for Sorghastrum nutans and Boutelous curtipendula in 3 years. Andropogon gerardii , the dominant grass, decreased in stem density less rapidly, and so became relatively more dominant as standing dead accumulated. Poa pratensis , in contrast, increased in stem density with time after burning. That was the expected result because it is injured by late- spring burning. For ten species correlation coefficients between stem density and oven-dry weight or depth of standing dead were statistically significant. For most species the correlations were negative, including the dominant species and all species combined. Depth Of standing dead correlated with stem density about as well as did weight of standing dead, which could be of importance decause depth can be obtained must more easily than weight

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, density, plant, prairie, stem}, author = {Dokken, D.A. and Hulbert, L.C.}, editor = {Glenn-Lewin, D.C. and Landers, R.Q.} } @proceedings {KNZ0024, title = {The use of beta attenuation to measure productivity, foliage height diversity and vegetational heterogeneity in tallgrass prairie}, year = {1978}, pages = {74 -77}, publisher = {Iowa State University}, address = {Ames, IA}, abstract = {

The attenuation of beta radiation by prairie standing crop was measured in quadrats which were also harvested. Attentuation and harvest measurements were made at weekly intervals and at five sites differing in soil type and/or burning treatment. Attenuation measurements were made within each quadrat accross both the vertical and horizontal dimensions. Living and dead biomass were separated at harvest for dry weight determinations. Attenuation measurements are excellent predictors of standing crop. The vertical profile of measurements may be used to determine foliage height diversity. Patterns of temporal and spatial heterogeneity in vegetation are also shown by this particular set of measurements

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, diversity, foliage, heterogeneity, measurement}, author = {Johnson, M.P. and Oksanen, L. and Finney, C.}, editor = {Glenn-Lewin, D.C. and Landers, R.Q.} }