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The DIRT Project (Detrital Input and Removal Treatments) |
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University of Wisconsin Arboretum Long-Term Soil Study Plots, Madison, Wisconsin Sites Noe Woods, Wingra Woods, and Curtis Prairie The Noe and Wingra Woods sites are located in 150+ year old forests, with Noe Woods dominated by white oak (Quercus alba L.) and black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.). The Wingra site is dominated by red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Prairie vegetation was established at the Curtis Prairie site in 1940. Soils of both forests and the prairie are well-drained alfisols derived from glacial deposits overlain by loess. Plot Location Treatment plots in all three sites were established in 1956. Plots measure approximately 3 m x 3 m, and each site consists of one plot of each treatment (NO LITTER, DOUBLE LITTER, A-LESS). Treatments concern above-ground litter only; no root-exclusion treatments were installed. No trees are located within the plots. Litter Manipulation Noe and Wingra Woods: The upper 15 cm of soil was removed from the A-less plots in 1956 and replaced with B horizon material. Normal litter inputs were allowed thereafter. Litter is raked off the NO LITTER plots during the growing season and fall. DOUBLE LITTER plots receive litterfall taken from equal-area plots nearby. The areas surrounding the study plots serve as controls. Curtis Prairie: Vegetation in the HARVESTED treatment plot is allowed to grow during the growing season but is cut and removed in the fall. The BARE treatment plot is frequently clipped to minimize above- and belowground vegetation. The MULCHED plot is also clipped but is mulched in the fall with vegetation taken from the harvested plot. CONTROL plots are undisturbed |
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University of Michigan Biological Station DIRT, Pellston Michigan Site Plot Location Litter Manipulation H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest DIRT Site Plot Location Litter Manipulation |