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Effects of water and nitrogen stresses on a shortgrass prairie ecosystem

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dc.contributor.authorLauenroth, William K., author
dc.contributor.authorSims, Phillip L., advisor
dc.contributor.authorInnis, George S., 1937-, committee member
dc.contributor.authorReid, Charles P. P., committee member
dc.contributor.authorHansen, Richard M., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T07:03:46Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T07:03:46Z
dc.date.issued1973
dc.description.abstractResponse of a shortgrass prairie ecosystem to stresses created by excess inputs of water and nitrogen were studied during a two year period in northeastern Colorado. Nitrogen stress was created by maintaining soil water potential greater than -0.8 bars during the growing season. Responses measured were net primary productivity, species composition and organization of primary producers, evapotranspiration, and small mammal densities. Net primary productivity was more responsive to water and nitrogen in combination than to either individually. Aboveground contribution to net primary productivity was more sensitive to stresses than the below-ground contribution. Ratios of above- to belowground productivity were increased by all stresses. The major effect of stresses on species composition of primary producers was to reorder existing species relationships and increase the number of species coexisting on the treatments. Primary producer organization (successional state) was assessed by diversity and dominance calculations. After two years of treatment the primary producers on the nitrogen treatment were at the highest level of organization and those of the water plus nitrogen treatment at the lowest level. Evapotranspiration of the treatments receiving additional water was close to the potential rate. The primary producers of the shortgrass prairie do not have the capacity to limit transpiration under conditions of high water availability. Small mammal species demonstrated clear habitat preferences to the treatments. The prairie vole was caught almost exclusively on the water plus nitrogen treatment. The deer mouse was captured in approximately equal proportions on the water and the water plus nitrogen treatments and in much lower numbers on the remaining treatments. The grasshopper mouse and thirteen lined ground squirrel were caught in low numbers on the water treatments an din significantly higher numbers on the control and nitrogen treatments.
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifier1973_Summer_Lauenroth_William.pdf
dc.identifierETDF1973400039FRWS
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/85207
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relationCatalog record number (MMS ID): 991009643079703361
dc.relationSB197.I5 no.232
dc.relationwwdl
dc.relation.ispartof1950-1979
dc.relation.referencesLauenroth, William K. and Daniel G. Milchunas, SGS-LTER Ecosystem Stress Area: Long-term dataset following nutrient enrichment stress on the Central Plains Experimental Range in Nunn, Colorado, USA, ARS Study Number 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10217/83317
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subject.lcshGrassland ecology
dc.subject.lcshPlant-water relationships
dc.subject.lcshPlants -- Effect of nitrates on
dc.titleEffects of water and nitrogen stresses on a shortgrass prairie ecosystem
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineRange Science
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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