Research purpose: To determine differences in plant communities and edaphic properties of fenced and non-fenced wallows and adjacent prairie, as well as cattle-grazed plots in two fire frequencies (annual and 3-4-year), and to track the hydroperiods of wallows across Konza Prairie.
Location of Sampling Stations: N1B, N4D, C1A, C3C in mid-elevation flat benches.
Frequency of Sampling - Wallow Plant Composition: twice per year (June and August) from 2021-2024; Wallow Soil Physiochemical data: once per year (September) from 2021-2023; Wallow Hydrological data: at least once per week June- September 2022, 2023.
Variable Measured: Canopy covers of all vascular plant species in each subplot are estimated; Soil physiochemical properties; Percent cover of water in wallows.
Field Methods
Wallow Plant Composition data: In each watershed, 12 circular plots of each type (fenced wallow, fenced control, unfenced wallow, unfenced control, and cattle control) with 8 subplots each were established in 2020 (all bison-plots) and 2022 (all cattle-plots). Wallows are all approximately 10 sq m in area and all controls are 15 sq m. The subplots are arranged on 4 equidistant transects radiating from the center of the plot with four subplots within the depression of the wallow (or the 0.75 m from center of control plots) and four subplots straddling the edge of the wallow (or 1.75 m from the center of control plots). Within each subplot canopy cover of all vascular plant species and bare ground was estimated (Note: bare ground was estimated at non-live plant cover which included litter) using modified Daubenmire scale (1: 0-1%, 2: 1-5%, 3: 5-25%, 4: 25-50%, 5: 50-75%, 6: 75-95%, 7: 95-100%).
Wallow Soil Physiochemical Data: In each watershed, 12 circular plots of each type (fenced wallow, fenced control, unfenced wallow, unfenced control, and cattle control) with 8 subplots each were established in 2020 (all bison-plots) and 2022 (all cattle-plots). Wallows are all approximately 10 sq m in area and all controls are 15 sq m. The subplots are arranged on 4 equidistant transects radiating from the center of the plot with four subplots within the depression of the wallow (or the 0.75 m from center of control plots) and four subplots straddling the edge of the wallow (or 1.75 m from the center of control plots). Approximately 10 cm outside of each of the inner subplots (between inner and outer subplots), a 10 cm deep soil core (2 cm diameter) was taken. All four cores were combined as one homogenized sample per plot. Soil samples were sieved (4 mm mesh) to remove large roots and rocks, and refrigerated at 4 C to minimize microbial transformations prior to analysis. Samples were sent to the Kansas State University Soil Testing Laboratory where they were analyzed for nutrient content (e.g., total nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus), cation concentrations (e.g., sodium, magnesium), pH, and soil texture. More detailed soil methodology can be found on the KState Soil Testing Lab website.
Wallow Hydrological Data: From June to September in 2022 and 2023, we monitored 48 wallows approximately every other day and estimated the percent cover of standing water in each wallow until there was no more standing water. Then, if no rainfall occurred, wallows were checked weekly or bi-weekly. If rainfall occurred, monitoring resumed as quickly as possible and continued every other day until wallows re-dried.
Form of Data Output: PEW011 contains the cover class value for each species detected in the plot. For species that are sampled on both census dates, the highest cover class of each plot is used for analyses. Percentage cover for each species is computed by averaging the mid-points of the cover classes; PEW012 contains the value of each soil physiochemical property measured for each plot for each year; PEW013 contains the estimate of percent cover of water in a wallow on the date checked.
Quality Assurance: All data were manually input twice and checked for errors against each other.
Summary of All Changes: Cattle plots were added in spring 2022. Soil texture (clay, silt, sand) was excluded in 2023 and Total phosphorus and Cl- added instead.
