01853nas a2200181   4500008004100000245006600041210006500107260004600172300001300218520123500231653002201466100001901488700001801507700001601525700001601541700002101557856009301578       1989                        eng d00aSilica, nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics of tallgrass prairie0 aSilica nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics of tallgrass prairie  aLincoln, NEbUniversity of Nebraska Press  a205 -2093 a<p>Experiments were conducted on big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) in the greenhouse and on a tallgrass site on Konza Prairie to evaluate the effects of simulated grazing on the cycling of silica (SiO2), nitrogen, and phosphorus. Concentrations of all elements increased in vegetation that had been clipped or pruned. The absolute amount of nitrogen obtained by plants in the greenhouse experiment was increased by clipping foliage. Phosphorous exhibited only neutral or negative responses, while the absolute amount of silica declined in all but one experiment involving root pruning. In that experiment, the absolute amount of silica in roots was increased by 25% by cutting a portion of the root system. These results suggest that the direct effects of clipping or pruning on the absolute amounts of elements cycled through vegetation are usually neutral or negative. Increased silicification or grazed foliage is suggested to be a consequence of delayed senescence and reduced leaf area. This interpretation provides a proximate reason why silicification is an &quot;inducible defense&quot; against herbivores. Key words: big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, simulated grazing, nutrients, productivity, roots, Kansas</p>10atallgrass prairie1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aRamundo, R.A.1 aHayes, D.C.1 aBragg, T.B.1 aStubbendieck, J.  uhttp://knz.lternet.edu/content/silica-nitrogen-and-phosphorus-dynamics-tallgrass-prairie