This is a long-term project examining soil carbon dynamics of a sandy, dry prairie in the Lower Wisconsin River Valley. This dry prairie is very unique and threatened by agriculture and fire exclusion. As a result of fire exclusion the prairie area has been substantially reduced from expansion of pine forest. We are measuring changes in soil properties and processes with specific focus on soil C. This plot have been monitored for over two decades. Cooperators on this project from the University of Wisconsin-Madison include: Mario Flores, Brian Lepore, Jim Bockheim, and Birl Lowery. This research was presented at the 2009 Soil Science Society of America meeting in Pittsburgh, PA and in publication in the Soil Science Society of America Journal.

CPEP - Carbon and Pine Encroachment in a dry Prairie (2003-2010)

Sandy, dry prairie in lower Wisconsin River valley (far left), Andres, Mario, and Bryant installing a well for measuring groundwater (left), Brian at the precipitation, and an encroachment plot (far right).

CLICK HERE for a copy of the Soil Science Society of America Journal manuscript.