Distribution of belowground biomass in a short grass prairie eco-systems
Distribution of belowground biomass in a short grass prairie eco-systems
Sultan Maqsood Khan
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted on short grass prairie near Fort Collins Colorado to determine the effect of depth, slope and micro-relief (ridges and depressions) on belowground biomass. The underground plant biomass was collected to 40cm depth. Fifty percent ( 1004 g/m2 ) of the total collected biomass (2008g/m2) was found in the 0-10cm soil section; 24%(482 g/m2) in the 10-20cm layer; and 26%(522 g/m2) in the 20-40cm depth. The middle slope out-produced (2370g/m2) the upper slope (1741g/m2) and lower slope (1911g/m2) in root biomass. The belowground production of ridges (2064g/m2) was not significantly different from that of the depressions (1951g/m2). This showed that the bulk of root system in short grass prairie ecosystem was close to the ground surface.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
September 1981
Vol. 31, Iss. 3
