title: Dynamics of dry matter production in a mixed-grass prairie in western North Dakota.
abstract: Above- and belowground biomass of primary producers were estimated by the harvest method on 10 dates in 1969 in a mixed-prairie grassland. A range of estimates of above- and belowground net primary production is established using several methods of calculation. The range for aboveground production is 240 to 302 g·m-2and 931 to 1221 g·m-2for belowground production. Correlation analysis indicated that above- and belowground biomass dynamics are significantly (α≦0.05) related to air and soil temperature, soil water, precipitation, and vapor pressure deficit. Analysis of energy flow through primary producers indicates a net storage of energy in the standing dead, litter, and belowground compartments. Accumulation in the standing dead was 63% of inputs, in the litter 8%, and belowground 37%. Belowground decomposition was 57% of belowground production and the same value aboveground was 50%.
authors.affiliation: Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lauenroth
authors.affiliation: Botany Department, North Dakota State University, 58102, Fargo, ND, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Whitman