Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153591
Title: EFFECT OF SHRUBS ON CARBON DIOXIDE AND WATER VAPOR FLUXES IN A MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE

Author
item Frank, Albert
item Karn, James

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 1/24/2004
Citation: FRANK, A.B., KARN, J.F. EFFECT OF SHRUBS ON CARBON DIOXIDE AND WATER VAPOR FLUXES IN A MIXED-GRASS PRAIRIE. SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT MEETING ABSTRACTS. 2004.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The large area occupied by native grasslands in the Great Plains and western USA emphasized the importance of determining carbon sequestration potential for ecosystems in these regions. Objectives of this study were to determine carbon dioxide and water vapor fluxes over a grazed mixed-grass prairie and a mixed-grass prairie that has extensive invasion of woody shrubs. Fluxes were measured over a three-year period using Bowen ratio/energy balance methods. Above-and below-ground biomass was sampled from mid-April to mid-October. Annual precipitation exceeded the long-term average of 400 mm by 84 mm in 1999, but was 93 and 17 mm less than average in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Carbon dioxide fluxes averaged 500 g CO2 m-2 yr-1 for the shrub prairie and 422 g CO2 m-2 yr-1 for the prairie grassland. Evapotranspiration averaged 488 mm yr-1 for the shrub prairie and 563 mm yr-1 for the prairie grassland. Carbon dioxide fluxes peaked in June followed by a gradual decline through mid-October. Evapotranspiration increased from early-May through early-August and then declined rapidly. These results suggest that shrub invasion of mixed-grass prairie grasslands is not detrimental to carbon dioxide sequestration.