@article {KNZ001212, title = {Responses of two bunchgrasses to nitrogen addition in tallgrass prairie: the role of bud bank demography}, journal = {American Journal of Botany}, volume = {95}, year = {2008}, pages = {672 -680}, abstract = {Growth of tallgrass prairie plants, many of which maintain substantial bud banks, can be limited by nitrogen (N), water, and/or light. We hypothesized that tallgrass prairie plants respond to increases in N through demographic effects on the bud bank. We tested the effects of a pulse of N on (1) bud bank demography, (2) plant reproductive allocation, and (3) ramet size. We parameterized matrix models, considering each genet as a population of plant parts. Nitrogen addition significantly impacted bud bank demography in two subdominant species of bunchgrass: Sporobolus heterolepis (a C4 grass) and Koeleria macrantha (a C3 grass), but had no effect on the size of individual ramets. Emergence from the bud bank and ramet population growth rates (λ) were significantly higher in S. heterolepis genets that received supplemental N. Nitrogen addition also affected the bud demography of K. macrantha, but N addition decreased rather than increased λ. Prospective and retrospective demographic analyses indicated that bud bank dynamics were the most important demographic processes driving plant responses to nutrient availability. Thus, the variation in productivity in these tallgrass prairie species is driven principally by the demography of the bud bank rather than by the physiology and growth of aboveground tillers. Improved understanding of bud bank dynamics may lead to improved predictive models of grassland responses to environmental changes such as altered N deposition and precipitation.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, kansas, Koeleria macrantha, Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research Site, Meristem, Poaceae, Sporobolus heterolepis}, doi = {10.3732/ajb.2007277}, author = {Dalgleish, H.J. and Kula, A.R. and D.C. Hartnett and Sandercock, B.K.} } @phdthesis {KNZ001096, title = {Genesis and spatial distribution of uplandsoils in east central Kansas}, volume = {PhD Dissertation}, year = {2007}, pages = {1 -704}, school = {Kansas State University}, type = {Ph.D. Thesis}, address = {Manhattan, KS}, abstract = {

Upland soils in east central Kansas have a complex genesis, often contain one or more paleosols, and form in multiple parent materials including loess, colluvium, residuum, and alluvium. Quaternary loess/paleosol investigations have largely ignored this region of Kansas, as the total loess thickness on uplands is \<2 m thick. In this study, the objectives are to examine the morphology and genesis of the soils of interest and how these characteristics vary within soil profiles, across landscapes, and throughout the current series mapping extent. The series of interest include the Irwin, Konza, Dwight, and Ladysmith soil series. Methods used in this study include field descriptions and sampling, terrain analysis, micromorphological investigations, and laboratory characterization, including silt and clay mineralogy. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was used for numerical dating and determination of stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) for selected paleosols. Radiocarbon ages ranged from 24,000 to 19,000 yr BP and δ13C values were between -19 and -17 \‰ (PDB), indicating that the paleosols were formed in Gilman Canyon loess or the Severance formation, under a mix of C3 and C4 vegetation. Terrain analysis results illustrated that, in given drainage areas, the soil series were mapped on a wide range of slope positions. Field observations and terrain analysis confirmed no relationships between mollic epipedon thickness, solum thickness, paleosol thickness, or depth to the paleosol with respect to landform. Micromorphological investigations revealed increasing soil development with depth, i.e., the presence of two paleosols beneath the modern soil. Mean particle size and mineralogy vary geographically within individual series. Pedogenic carbonate accumulations and redoximorphic concentrations are common features of the soils of interest, and less common features include sodium and gypsum accumulations, slickensides, and redoximorphic depletions. Results from this study will be provided to the USDA-NRCS for use in future soil survey updates, and will contribute to Quaternary loess/paleosol knowledge in Kansas and the Great Plains.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, genesis, kansas, Loess, mapping, Paleosols, soil}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/2097/288 }, author = {Presley, D.R.} } @article {KNZ001041, title = {Optimizing radio retention andminimizing radio impacts in a field study of Upland Sandpipers}, journal = {Journal ofWildlife Management}, volume = {71}, year = {2007}, pages = {971 -980}, abstract = {Two challenges in wildlife telemetry are optimizing the duration of transmitter attachment and minimizing the impacts of radios on the behavior and demography of the study animal. We tested 4 methods of radio attachment for a breeding population of upland sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) under natural conditions at a tallgrass prairie site in Kansas, USA. To estimate radio retention and weekly survival rates, we used the nest survival model of Program MARK. Radio retention was lowest at the start and the end of the breeding period. The expected duration of radio retention was 1.8 years for a leg-loop harness, 40 days for radios glued to clipped feathers, 26 days for radios glued directly to feathers, and 7 days for radios glued to bare skin. Few radiomarked birds died during our study, but 4 of 8 mortality events were discovered within one week of radiomarking. Both glue and harnesses increased predation risk immediately after radio attachment. The weekly probability of survival was high after a 1-week acclimation period, and the expected survival for a 10-week breeding period was similar in males and females. Attachment of radios with glue had no effect on annual return rates. However, attachment of radios with leg harnesses resulted in lower return rates among radiomarked birds than birds without radios. Radios attached with glue were shed in <1 year but radios attached with harnesses were retained for up to 1{\textendash}2 years. Our results indicate a tradeoff between optimizing radio retention and minimizing impacts on demography. Glue techniques had retention rates that were suitable for only short-term studies, but attachment with glue had no long-term effect on annual return rates. Leg harnesses provided effective radio retention that had little effect on survival rates during the stationary breeding period, but resulted in lower annual return rates. Robust estimates of radio retention and survival will assist researchers in selecting attachment techniques that best meet the study goals of future telemetry projects.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Bartramia longicauda, glue, harness, kansas, radio attachment, shorebird, survival, Upland Sandpiper}, doi = {10.2193/2005-775}, author = {Mong, T.W. and Sandercock, B.K.} } @article {KNZ001038, title = {An automatic activity-monitoring system for small mammals under natural conditions}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {87}, year = {2006}, pages = {628 -634}, abstract = {Small mammals spend a majority of their lives in shelter sites such as belowground burrows. Understanding temporal patterns of burrow use would provide valuable information about the influence of physiological and environmental factors on activity patterns. To examine patterns of burrow use, we developed a system that automatically monitors activity of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) at artificial burrows in tallgrass prairie. The automatic activity-monitoring system is composed of a passive integrated transponder (PIT){\textendash}tag transceiver that reads the identification tags of individuals and an infrared trail monitor that confirms movements in and out of artificial burrows. We PIT-tagged and monitored nightly activity of <90 deer mice on Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeastern Kansas from July 2003 to December 2004. The monitoring system allowed us to examine individual variation in activity relative to sex, parental attendance, and early exploration by young. We also discuss advantages and disadvantages of the system compared to other activity-monitoring techniques, so that researchers might develop similar systems for other study species.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, deer mouse, kansas, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, Peromyscus maniculatus, tallgrass prairie, time of activity}, doi = {10.1644/05-MAMM-A-220R2.1~}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00969, title = {Distribution of carnivore burrows in a prairie landscape}, journal = {Great Plains Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2005}, pages = {15 -29}, abstract = {Mammals impact prairie ecosystems through burrowing activities. Burrows used by carnivores were studied in four habitat types at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, a native tallgrass prairie near Manhattan, KS. We surveyed nearly 40 km of 10-m-wide transects and counted burrows in upland, slope, and lowland prairie and along ravines. Burrows were placed selectively along slopes (7.3 per km) and to a lesser extent along edges of ravines (4.2), but only infrequently in upland (0.6) and never in lowlands (0.0). We also recorded features (e.g., location, aspect, and slope steepness) along slope transects at a 30 m intervals to estimate availability of these features. Points of hills (18.7 burrows per km) were used more than sides of hills (2.0) or upper ends of ravines (1.5). Burrows on points were placed selectively on steep rather than shallow slopes and on south- and west-facing slopes rather than north- and east-facing slopes.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, burrows, carnivores, kansas, tallgrass prairie, topography}, url = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/23779836}, author = {Kaufman, G.A. and Kocher, S.D. and D.W. Kaufman} } @phdthesis {KNZ001040, title = {Factors influencing nightly activity of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in tallgrass prairie}, volume = {PhD Dissertation}, year = {2005}, pages = {1 -205}, school = {Kansas State University}, type = {Ph.D. Thesis}, address = {Manhattan,KS}, abstract = {

Little is known about nightly activity patterns of nocturnal small mammals under natural conditions, and how these activity patterns might be affected by photoperiod, season, and sex, age, and reproductive status of individuals. The main objectives of this research were: 1) to find an appropriate method for marking individual deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) so that their activity could be monitored remotely; 2) to design a portable activity-monitoring system to investigate temporal patterns of shelter use by deer mice under natural conditions; 3) to determine the influence of environmental conditions such as photoperiod and season on nightly activity of deer mice; and 4) to compare effects of demographic or physiological factors such as sex, age, and reproductive status on nightly activity of deer mice at artificial burrows in tallgrass prairie. In general, commencement of activity was correlated positively with timing of sunset, and time of retirement to the burrow was correlated positively with sunrise. Among adults, males first emerged from the burrow earlier and made more trips of shorter duration in a night than did females, although total duration of trips was similar. Return visits and subsequent stays typically were shorter for males than females, but total time spent in the burrow and retirement time relative to sunrise were similar for both sexes. Young deer mice emerged significantly later, made more trips of shorter duration, spent less total time outside, and retired to their burrow earlier than adults. Reproductive females emerged later, made fewer trips of generally longer duration, and spent shorter total amounts of time away from the burrow each night than non-reproductive females. Return visits of reproductive females were of longer duration than non-reproductives, but total time spent inside and time of retirement for the night did not differ relative to reproductive status. From parturition through lactation, activity of females showed a number of directional trends. Results suggest that under natural conditions, activity patterns of deer mice are highly variable but responsive to both the changing physical environment and internal conditions related to sex-specific maximization of fitness.

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Activity-monitoring system, kansas, Nocturnal, PIT tag, reproduction, rodent}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/2097/139}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L.} } @article {KNZ00971, title = {Long-term study of abundance of the hispid cotton rat in native tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {86}, year = {2005}, pages = {670 -676}, abstract = {We studied patterns of and factors influencing abundance of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) in tallgrass prairie habitats from autumn 1981 to spring 2001 at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. Abundance of cotton rats was low during autumn (X̄ = 0.57 individuals/trapline) and extremely low in spring (X̄ = 0.04 individuals/trapline). Autumn abundance varied widely in 20 years (range: 0.00{\textendash}2.50 individuals/trapline) and among 14 sites (0.05{\textendash}1.35 individuals/trapline). Spring prairie fires had a positive influence on cotton rats during the 1st (X̄ = 0.8 individuals/trapline) and 2nd autumns (X̄ = 1.0 individuals/trapline), but not during the 3rd or later autumns (X̄ = 0.2 individuals/trapline). Cotton rats were associated strongly with lowland prairie relative to breaks and upland prairie. Autumn abundance was correlated positively with previous winter (December{\textendash}February) average maximum temperature, but was not correlated with previous winter precipitation, summer (June{\textendash}August) average maximum temperature, summer precipitation, or aboveground net primary productivity. Although previous winter maximum temperature accounted for only 32\% of interautumn variation in abundance, winter harshness appears to be the major factor driving temporal variation in autumn abundance of hispid cotton rats.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, fire, hispid cotton rat, kansas, Sigmodon hispidus, spatial variation, tallgrass prairie, temporal variation, topography}, doi = {10.1644/1545-1542(2005)086[0670:LSOAOT]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman and McMillan, B.R.} } @article {KNZ00901, title = {Eastern moles on the Konza Prairie Biological Station}, journal = {Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {107}, year = {2004}, pages = {93 -96}, abstract = {We examined the local distribution of the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) along the Kings Creek drainage on the Konza Prairie Biological Station (located south of Manhattan, Kansas). Our 46-ha study site included primarily intermixed riparian woodland and native and planted grassland. Within this site, we surveyed burrow ridges and soil mounds of eastern moles in 116 circular sampling plots. Each sampling plot had a 10-m radius; total surface area of plots was 3.6 ha. Plots were placed at 40-m intervals along 13 transects, which paralleled each other and were 100 m apart. Eastern moles were associated with wooded vegetation (i.e. plots under tree canopy). Eastern moles also were associated positively with bare soil (plots with >2 m2 as contrasted to those with <2 m2 of bare soil). This positive association with plots that had >2 m2 of bare soil held even for the 74 local sites that were under tree canopy along Kings Creek. The association with wooded areas along Kings Creek was consistent with past studies that found eastern moles selectively choose relatively loose, moist soils.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, eastern mole, habitat association, kansas, Konza Prairie, Scalopus aquaticus}, doi = {10.1660/0022-8443(2004)107[0093:EMOTKP]2.0.CO;2}, author = {O{\textquoteright}Neal, P.R. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ00880, title = {Long-distance movements of the deer mouse in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {85}, year = {2004}, pages = {562 -568}, abstract = {Long-distance movements may play an important role in regulating populations of small mammals. To examine such movements, we livetrapped 1,712 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) on 14{\textendash}28 permanent traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 1990 on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. These data were collected under a variety of climatic and biotic conditions that resulted in detection of > 100 long-distance movements by deer mice between traplines (moves of 50{\textendash}1,320 m). Males made more moves than females, but distance moved did not differ by sex. Age did not affect the number or distance of movements. On average, more long-distance moves occurred in spring and summer than in autumn, but distance did not differ by season. Proportion of the population making intertrapline movements was inversely related to abundance of deer mice. Deer mice did not exhibit a fire-positive response in long-distance movement. Our results indicate that deer mice may be more mobile than originally thought. Researchers should incorporate improved methods for detecting longer movements to better understand causes and consequences of these movements.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, fire, kansas, Movement, Peromyscus maniculatus, prairie deer mouse, relative abundance, season, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/1383956 }, url = {http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/85/3/562.abstract}, author = {Rehmeier, R.L. and Kaufman, G.A. and D.W. Kaufman} } @article {KNZ001148, title = {An examination of the effects of grazing on vegetative and soil parameters in the tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Transactions of Kansas Academy of Science}, volume = {106}, year = {2003}, pages = {59 -70}, abstract = {The effects of grazing on vegetative biomass and richness and various soil parameters in the tallgrass prairie were examined at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (TPNP) and the Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS). It is hypothesized that grazing will exert significant influence on vegetative biomass and native species richness, and soil depth, moisture content, pH, nutrient levels (total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus), and organic matter content. To test this hypothesis, four sets of samples were gathered: 10 from an ungrazed portion of TPNP and 10 from a grazed portion, 10 from an ungrazed area of KPBS and 10 from a grazed area. Results indicate that grazing decreased vegetative biomass density, increased soil nutrient levels, and increased soil organic matter content. Mixed results were found on the effects of grazing on available soil moisture and soil pH. Soil moisture content was significantly higher in the ungrazed area of TPNP, but significantly higher in the grazed area at KPBS. Soil pH was significantly higher in the ungrazed area of TPNP but no significant differences were observed at KPBS. Grazing did not significantly influence soil depth or species richness, though differences in the taxa of species observed were evident as native grass species richness decreased in grazed areas and invasive species richness increased in grazed areas.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Grazing, kansas, soil, tallgrass prairie, vegetation}, doi = {10.1660/0022-8443(2003)106[0059:AEOTEO]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Walters, C.M. and Martin, M.C.} } @article {KNZ0013, title = {Long-term variation in abundance of Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga) in tallgrass prairie}, journal = {Journal of Mammalogy}, volume = {83}, year = {2002}, pages = {280 -289}, abstract = {Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrews (Blarina hylophaga) were studied in tallgrass prairie at Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. Based on sampling of 14 permanent traplines from autumn 1981 to spring 1999, relative abundance was high in autumn (X̄ = 2.5 {\textpm} 0.4 SE shrews/trapline) but very low in spring (<0.1 shrews/trapline). Interannual variability in abundance in autumn was large with a range 0.1{\textendash}7.0 shrews/trapline. Relative abundance of shrews in autumn was correlated positively with precipitation, soil moisture, and depth of plant litter and correlated negatively with proportion of area burned and maximum temperature. Two variables, precipitation, and amount of litter, accounted for 87\% of variation in abundance of shrews in autumn. Ambient moisture and a well-developed litter layer that ameliorates microclimatic extremes appear to be the most important factors influencing abundance of shrews in tallgrass prairie.}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, abiotic factors, Blarina hylophaga, Elliot{\textquoteright}s short-tailed shrew, kansas, long-term study, population dynamics, tallgrass prairie}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/1545-1542(2002)083<0280:LTVIAO>2.0.CO;2 2}, author = {Matlack, R.S. and D.W. Kaufman and Kaufman, G.A.} } @article {KNZ00417, title = {Biomass production in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem exposed to ambient and elevated CO2}, journal = {Ecological Applications}, volume = {3}, year = {1993}, pages = {644 -653}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, Aboveground biomass, Andropogon gerardii, Carbon dioxide, elevated CO2, kansas, Poa pratensis, Root biomass, tallgrass prairie, water-use efficiency, xylem pressure potential}, doi = {10.2307/1942097}, author = {Owensby, C.E. and Coyne, P.I. and Ham, J.M. and Auen, L.M. and Alan K. Knapp} } @article {KNZ0020, title = {Emlen transects in Kansas habitats}, journal = {Kansas Ornithological Society Bulletin}, volume = {28}, year = {1977}, pages = {18 -21}, abstract = {

The Emlen strip census (Emlen, 1971, 1972) is becoming more and more widely used as a means to measure bird populations, particularly in environmental impact assessment programs. This method has the advantage of being rapid, applicable to a wide variety of habitats, and usable during all seasons of the year. Yet the data produced are only estimates of relative density and hence of minimal value for comparisons between sites and seasons and not usable at all in attempts to determine community biomass densities. Absolute densities can be derived only if empirically determined correction factors (coefficients and detectability) are calculated. Emlen (1971) hypothesized that these coefficients might be species-specific for a given habitat at a given season. If this hypothesis were true and standard coefficients determined, the cost for bird population census work would be decreased and its value in the description of ecological communities would be enhanced

}, keywords = {LTER-KNZ, habits, kansas, transect}, author = {Zimmerman, J.L.} }