Site B1: Coastal Prairie
Site B2: Upland Prairie
Site B3: Vernal Pool
Site B4: Wetland Freshwater Marsh
Key Nutrient Measures for Optimal Prairie Soils
Soil Organic Matter (SOM): Generally ranges between 3–10%, with over 6% being excellent, providing essential carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Nitrogen (N): ~7-8 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate is often sufficient, but levels vary heavily.
Phosphorus (P): 15-20+ ppm (Olsen P method) in the top 6 inches is ideal to avoid deficiencies.
Potassium (K): Generally high in prairie soils; >150 ppm is considered good for most crops.
Sulphur (S): >0.24% is ideal; frequently measured in top 0-6 or 6-12 inches.
pH & Base Saturation: Optimal soil pH is 6.0–7.5. Ideal base saturation includes 65–75% Calcium and 10–18% Magnesium.
Micronutrients: Zinc (>14 ppm) is a key micronutrient to monitor in prairie soils.
Key Soil Nutrient and Physical Parameters
Soil Texture: Clay and silt are critical to create a slow-permeability layer for water retention.
Organic Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N): Vernal pools tend to accumulate total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen at the bottom, with concentrations often decreasing with depth.
pH Levels: Soils are generally acidic, with typical pH levels between 4 and 5, which limits nutrient availability and supports specialized species.
Microbial Biomass: Measuring carbon microbial biomass per gram of dry soil is crucial for assessing soil health and biotic responses.
Nutrient Load Management: Optimal soils are low in phosphorus and potassium. Excess nutrients, often from runoff, can trigger non-native plant invasion and decrease native diversity.