BGPVC Plant species composition in the Belowground Plot Experiment at Konza Prairie

Two permanent plant composition plots were marked with conduit in each of the 64 plots. Canopy cover was recorded in a 5 m2 circular area surrounding each of the plots.At approximately 5-year intervals, coverage is assessed in in late July, using visual estimates of cover by species, based on a modified Daubenmire scale. NOTE: In 1989, sampling was done once in early July after mowing using one 10 m2 plot placed randomly in the approximate center of each plot. In 1994, plant composition sampling was done in early June in the unmowed plots; sampling in the mowed plots occurred in August. In 1999, two permanent conduits were placed in each plot, and sampling was conducted in June, before mowing, and again in August using 5 m2 plot sizes. In 2005 sampling was reduced to one time in late July, and that was continued in 2010.