Sarah Smith

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Konen, Mike E.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Geography

LCSH

Natural areas--Illinois--Franklin Grove; Soils--Illinois--Franklin Grove; Soil science

Abstract

Land use and management are key factors influencing the quality and function of soil as measured through dynamic soil properties. This study was conducted to quantify the differences in soil quality indicators across a chronosequence of prairie restorations of varying vegetative quality, as well as across different agricultural tillage systems including no-till, conservation, and conventional. Prairie restorations were chosen from a 3,100 acre Nature Conservancy site in Franklin Grove, IL known as Nachusa Grasslands, and agricultural fields were selected during a survey of farmers across north-central Illinois. The dynamic soil properties bulk density, aggregate stability, organic carbon, particulate organic matter (POM), color, and structure, along with texture were analyzed using standard laboratory and field methods. Land use had a significant impact on all properties observed, with total organic carbon being the only one to not be significantly different from agriculture to prairie restoration. All properties were on a positive trend back towards pre-settlement levels. Similarly, tillage system type also had a significant impact on all properties except total organic carbon. In almost every case, no-till and conservation tillage had better values for the properties observed, indicating the positive benefits have less compaction and more residue cover on soil.

Comments

Advisors: Mike E. Konen.||Committee members: Courtney Gallaher; David Goldblum.||Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations and maps.

Extent

xiv, 156 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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