Data from: Soil Change Induced by Prairie Dogs Across Three Ecological Sites

Prairie dog influences on soil properties should be considered when implementing management recommendations to improve rangeland health. Unfortunately, few studies have addressed soil responses to prairie dog activity across a range of soil types and landscapes. A study was conducted in 2011 to quantify prairie dog effects on soil properties and infiltration rate within three ecological sites differing in landscape, soil, and vegetation characteristics in north central South Dakota, USA. Soil samples were collected from each ecological site in areas with and without prairie dog activity. Prairie dog mounds were sampled using two perpendicular transects over each mound, with samples collected 30, 60, and 120 cm from the mound center. Soil samples were collected from the 0-100cm depth in increments of 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-60m, and 60-100 cm using a hydraulic probe with an inner tip diameter of 3.52 cm. Soil samples were evaluated for soil bulk density, soil pH, extractable nitrogen and phosphorus, and total carbon and nitrogen. Measurements of carbon and nitrogen were determined by dry combustion. Infiltration rate was measured using single-ring infiltrometers on active prairie dog mounds and in a control area without prairie dog activity. Data may be used to understand soil responses to prairie dog activity for rangeland in a semiarid continental climate. Rangeland with rolling landscapes (0-70% slope) and soils derived from soft clay shale or semi-consolidated loamy sedimentary beds closely align with conditions evaluated in this study. Applicable USDA soil types include Hurley, Cabba, and Wayden.

在实施旨在提升草地健康的管理建议时，应充分考虑草原犬鼠对土壤特性的影响。遗憾的是，关于草原犬鼠活动对多种土壤类型和景观土壤反应的研究寥寥无几。2011年进行了一项研究，旨在量化草原犬鼠对南达科他州中北部三个生态位点土壤特性及渗透率的影响，这三个生态位点在景观、土壤和植被特征上存在差异。从每个生态位点的草原犬鼠活动区域及非活动区域采集了土壤样本。通过在每个草原犬鼠丘上设置两条相互垂直的横断面，对草原犬鼠丘进行了采样，样本采集点位于距丘中心30、60和120厘米处。使用内径为3.52厘米的液压探针，以0-100厘米深度为采集范围，每隔0-10、10-20、20-30、30-60米和60-100厘米采集土壤样本。对土壤样本进行了土壤容重、土壤pH值、可提取氮和磷、以及总碳和氮的评估。碳和氮的测量通过干燃烧法完成。渗透率通过在活跃的草原犬鼠丘和控制区域（无草原犬鼠活动）使用单环渗透仪进行测量。这些数据可用于理解半干旱大陆性气候下草地土壤对草原犬鼠活动的反应。具有滚动景观（0-70%坡度）和由软粘土页岩或半固结的粘土质沉积岩形成的土壤的草地，与本研究中评估的条件紧密相符。适用的美国农业部土壤类型包括Hurley、Cabba和Wayden。