Think about (i) the proposal you read for this lab and (ii) the experiences you had prepping the field materials and sampling soils. Connect the actual activities you were doing (ethanol, bleach, push coring, coolers, etc., etc.) to the aims of the research project. Why was it necessary to do these steps in the way we did them? How do they connect to the larger aims of the research project? Also, as part of your reflection, provide a summary of the research project as it pertains to Goodrich Prairie.
We will depart the Phys. Plant at noon for your field lab at Merry Lea starting at the Goodrich Tract on the far west side of the property, which is located at 1799 S. 650 W Kimmell, IN (Google Maps pin). We will be in the field the entire time investigating several of Merry Lea's restored/created prairies. We will be walking in grass firebreaks during our field time. Bring your field notebook. Dress for the weather and conditions, and bring your water bottle. You will be back at campus by 3:50pm.
The document proposes a research project that aims to investigate the impact of fire and grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC) in grasslands and savannas. The project will utilize three existing long-term experiments that manipulate fire and grazing/browsing in different grassland ecosystems. The primary goal is to understand the mechanisms that influence SOC accumulation and how fire and grazing interact to affect SOC dynamics. The research will test several new paradigms in soil ecology, including the relative importance of belowground root processes versus aboveground litter in SOC formation, the role of microbial biomass and necromass, the influence of fire on pyrogenic carbon, and the effects of plant C:N:P stoichiometry on microbial communities. The project will also examine the impact of tree encroachment on SOC in savannas. The research findings will contribute to developing effective grassland management and restoration strategies for carbon sequestration.
Specific information regarding the restoration of grasslands:
The project will investigate SOC dynamics in two reconstructed tallgrass prairies in Indiana, providing insights into how restoration efforts influence carbon sequestration in degraded grasslands.
The study will examine the effects of fire and grazing on SOC in these restored prairies, which can inform management practices for optimizing carbon storage in restored grasslands.
The research will also assess the impact of tree encroachment on SOC in savannas, which is relevant to grassland restoration as woody encroachment can alter carbon dynamics in grasslands.
Larger, more general theories in the area of Restoration Ecology:
The project will test the "belowground paradigm," which suggests that belowground root processes are more important than aboveground litter in contributing to SOC. This has implications for restoration practices, as promoting root growth may be crucial for enhancing carbon sequestration in restored ecosystems.
The research will also examine the "microbial paradigm," which emphasizes the role of microbial biomass, necromass, and pyrogenic carbon in SOC formation. This highlights the importance of considering microbial communities in restoration efforts, as they play a key role in carbon cycling.
The project will investigate the influence of fire on pyrogenic carbon, which is a stable form of carbon that can persist in soils for long periods. Understanding the role of fire in PyC formation can inform restoration strategies that utilize fire to enhance carbon sequestration.
The research will also examine the effects of plant C:N:P stoichiometry on microbial communities, which can influence SOC dynamics. This emphasizes the importance of considering plant nutrient dynamics in restoration, as they can indirectly affect carbon sequestration through their impact on microbial communities.
Overall, this research project has the potential to advance our understanding of carbon sequestration in grasslands and savannas and inform restoration practices that promote carbon storage in these ecosystems. The findings will contribute to broader theories in Restoration Ecology by highlighting the importance of belowground processes, microbial communities, and fire in ecosystem restoration and carbon management.