PBB03 Belowground Plot Experiment: Belowground plot experiment: biomass and nutrient content of Roots

To address the potential interactive effects of fire, aboveground biomass removal, and nutrient amendments on above- and belowground responses, a long-term field experiment was initiated in 1986 as part of the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. The general goals of this experiment are: 1) to document both short- and long-term responses of plants and soils to fire, aboveground biomass removal (a surrogate for grazing in these small plots), and nutrient amendments (additions of N and/or P); and 2) to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying tallgrass prairie responses to fire, aboveground biomass removal and nutrient enrichment. Standing crops of live and dead grass roots(0.1 sq. m2  x 20cm deep samples) are taken in late summer periodically from 64 belowground plots. N and P content are determined on live and dead grass roots. N and  P concentrations for forb roots are available for some plots in some years.