Project Number: 5402-11000-006-14
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Jan 20, 2001
End Date: Jan 19, 2006

Objective:
A. Determine the impact of doubling CO2 in shortgrass mixed C3/C4 plant communities on: 1. plant C and N allocation, 2. plant consumer diversity, microbial functional diversity, 3. forage digestibility in cattle, 4. plant residue decomposition C and N dynamics, 5. soil C and N pools, 6. field scale trace gas exchange. B. Incorporate knowledge gained into simulation models that allow realistic extrapolatio through time and space of soil moisture, nutrient cycling, plant productivity, and trace gas exchange.

Approach:
A field study using large open top chambers will be initiated at the Central Great Plains Experimental Range to determine the effect of doubling CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere on plant physiology, soil water and nitrogen dynamics, and the influence of these factors on trace gas fluxes. Both 13C and 15N will be used to trace changes in the C and N dynamics through time. Site specific data are used to verify and paramatize simulation models.

Project Team

Mosier, Arvin Morgan, Jack Diana Wall - Sr. Research Scientist 970-490-8250

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Soil Resource Management (202)   Global Change (204)