Woody Plant Encroachment in Mesic Grasslands: What's Happened, Where We Are Now, and What Can Still be Done May 20, 2025, 12 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. CT, 10 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. PT
This presentation will use examples from the Konza Prairie (Manhattan, KS) that illustrate linkages between above- and below-ground ecosystem processes following encroachment. This research shows the mechanisms by which woody vegetation accelerates water cycling and alters the distribution of C within the soil profile. Coarse woody roots create larger soil macropores that speed up rates of infiltration to the groundwater, a process that alters below-ground C distribution, reduce water residence time in surface soils and along with higher ET, result in longer-term drying trends in grassland ecosystems. The results from Konza Prairie illustrate how the replacement of grass with woody species in grasslands magnifies water loss above and below-ground leading to greater water scarcity. In the context of these ecosystem changes, I will discuss options for conservation and restoration of our grassy landscapes and provide my perspective on solutions that hold the greatest potential for long term success.
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