Decomposer and nutrient cycling investigations in the Grassland Biome

TitleDecomposer and nutrient cycling investigations in the Grassland Biome
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Publication1971
AuthorsReuss J.O
EditorFrench NR
Conference NamePreliminary Analysis of Structure and Function in Grasslands: Proceedings of Symposium Entitled "The Grassland Biome: Analysis and synthesis of First Year Data"
Series TitleRange Science Department Science Series 10
Pagination133-146
Date PublishedSeptember 1, 197
PublisherColorado State University
Conference LocationColorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Keywordsabstract, abstracts, conference, conference proceedings, conferences, decomposition,grassland, grassland, microbial biomass, grassland,decomposition, grassland,nutrient cycling, microbial biomass, grassland, nitrogen cycling,grassland, nutrient cycling,grassland, proceeding, proceedings
Abstract Microbial numbers and biomass have been measured at the Pawnee Site, and some data are available from Comprehensive Sites. Peak bacterial numbers in the surface soil are generally in the range of 20 to 40 x 10(to the 6th power)/g, with some higher values noted at Pawnee. At the Pawnee Site fungal populations have influenced long-term grazing treatments. Higher propagula densities were found on the lightly grazed pastures, but a larger number of high frequency species were present under heavy grazing. Estimates of dry weight microbial biomass at the Pawnee Site indicate a maximum of about 100 g/m2 to a depth of 30 cm. The substrate supply is apparently only sufficient for 5 to 10 generations of cells per year.
Custom 1Fort Collins, Colorado