Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)/KBS003: Kellogg Biological Station Baseline Variability Study

LTER - Long-Term Ecological Research Program/Kellogg Biological Station (KBS)

LTER/KBS003 [Summary adapted from the LTER Core Data Set Catalog]:

Results from a study of spatial variability conducted across the main experimental area (45 ha) at KBS prior to dividing the site into 1-ha experimental plots. During the 1988 growing season a stratified unaligned sampling scheme was used to collect 400-600 samples across the site (uniformly planted to a single variety of soybeans) for 1) geomorphological characteristics (microtopography, soil horizon depths, bulk density, texture); 2) soil chemical characteristics (pH, NO3, NH4, total C, total N, moisture, inorganic P, trace metals); 3) soil biological characteristics (N mineralization potentials, microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, fungal/bacterial ratios,
nematodes and other soil invertebrates; seed bank size); 4) plant characteristics (rate of crop phenological development, crop biomass at maturity, crop N content, weed species abundance, weed biomass at peak standing crop); and 5) insect characteristics (major pest and
predator species). Most soil samples were taken before crop emergence, plant phenology samples were taken throughout the growing season, biomass samples were taken at physiological maturity, and insect samples were taken continuously. Dried soil and plant samples are archived for potential future analyses.

Special Comments: Data set contains data for each variate at each sample point as well as semivariograms and an interpolation file derived by
kriging at 3-m intervals across the site.

The 1,000 ha W.K. Kellogg Biological Station has been administered by Michigan State University as a primary research facility since its 1929 deeding to the university by Kellogg. In its early years the Station was devoted to wildlife, forestry, and soil conservation research; during the past 20 years a research emphasis on ecology, production agronomy, and forest genetics has led to well-established and internationally recognized programs in each of these fields. The mission of the Station, supported by 10 year-round resident faculty from several university departments, in addition to campus-based faculty and visiting scientists, puts a primary emphasis on maintaining an environment for interdisciplinary research in ecology, agriculture, and natural resources.

KBS LTER research topics include ecological interactions underlying the productivity and environmental impact of production-level cropping systems; patterns, causes, and consequences of microbial, plant, and insect diversity in agricultural landscapes; gene transfer, community
dynamics and biogeochemical fluxes.

Information about the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program can be obtained from:

LTER Network Office
'http://lternet.edu/'