Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)/KBS013: Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and CO2 Fluxes from Cropped and Early Successional Communities

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

LTER/KBS013 (Summary adapted from the LTER Core Data Set Catalog):

Results from a study of N2O and CO2 fluxes from soybean/corn cropping systems either no-till (NT) or conventionally tilled (CT; moldboard plow) and either N-fertilized (180 kg/ha N) or not N-fertilized in a complete factorial design with four replicate blocks (2 x 2 x 4 treatment plots) plus the never-tilled early successional sites (n = 4 replicates) noted in KBS004. Fluxes are measured using static chambers 30 cm x 30 cm x 14 cm high placed on semipermanent bases installed in the surface soil of each plot. Gas samples are taken from each plot at 15-minute intervals for 90 minutes per sample day, once per week or keyed to rainfall events.

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 LTER is also available at
'http://lternet.edu/'