Nitrogen transport from tallgrass prairie watersheds
By: W. K. Dodds, J.M. Blair, G.M. Henebry, J.K. Koelliker, R. Ramundo, and C. M. Tate
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Abstract
Discharge and N content of surface water flowing from four Karat watersheds on Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas, managed with different burn frequencies, were monitored from 1986 to 1992. The goal was to establish the influence of natural processes (climate, fire, and bison grazing) on N transport and concentration in streams. Streams were characterized by variable flow, under conditions that included an extreme flood and a drought during which all channels were dry for over a year. The estimated groundwater/stream water discharge ratio varied between 0.15 to 6.41. Annual N transport by streams, averaged across all watersheds and years, was 0.16 kg N ha-1 yr-1. Annual N transport per unit area also increased as the watershed area increased and as precipitation increased. Total annual transport of N horn the prairie via streams ranged from 0.01 to 6.0% of the N input from precipitation. Nitrate and total N concentrations in surface water decreased (P < 0.001, r values ranged from 0.140.26) as length of time since last fire increased. Increased watershed area was correlated negatively (P < 0.0001) to stream water concentrations of NO3-N and total N (r values = -0.43 and -0.20, respectively). Low N concentration is typical of these streams, with NH4/+-N concentrations below 1.0 ??g L-1, NO3-N ranging from below 1.4 to 392 ??g L-1, and total N from 3.0 to 714 ??g L-1. These data provide an important baseline for evaluating N transport and stream water quality from unfertilized grasslands.
Suggested Citation
Dodds, W.K., Blair, J., Henebry, G., Koelliker, J., Ramundo, R., Tate, C.M., 1996, Nitrogen transport from tallgrass prairie watersheds, in Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 25, no. 5, p. 973-981.
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Nitrogen transport from tallgrass prairie watersheds |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Year Published | 1996 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Soc of Agronomy Inc |
| Publisher location | Madison, WI, United States |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Environmental Quality |
| First page | 973 |
| Last page | 981 |