Browsing by Subject "Soils"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
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    Boron for Minnesota Soils
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 1993) Rehm, G.W.; Fenster, W.E.; Overdahl, C.J.
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    Data supporting "Predicting total phosphorus levels as indicators for shallow lake management"
    (2018-07-18) Vitense, Kelsey; Hanson, Mark A; Herwig, Brian R; Zimmer, Kyle D; Fieberg, John R; kelsey.vitense@gmail.com; Vitense, Kelsey
    This repository contains data supporting "Predicting total phosphorus levels as indicators for shallow lake management" in Ecological Indicators.
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    Effects of Soil Compaction and Organic Matter Removal on Ground-flora Diversity in the Great Lakes Forests
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 1996) Host, George E
    Soil is one of the key factors regulating the productivity and diversity of forest ecosystems. Soil organic matter resulting from the decomposition of leaf litter provides an important reservoir of nutrients for future forest growth. The structure of soils, in conjunction with soil texture, determines the ability of a soil to retain moisture. Forest harvest operations, through the use of heavy equipment and slash management practices, have the potential to damage soil structure and remove organic matter from the forest floor. We lack a clear understanding, however, of which soil types are most susceptible, and what degree of impact soils can sustain before the potential productivity and diversity are reduced. To address this issue, a nationwide Long-Tenn Soil Productivity (LTSP) study was initiated to assess the effects of logging operations on the structure and organic matter content of forest soils (Powers et al. 1990). In the Lake States, study plots were installed on the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Huron National Forests. These plots represent the range of soil textures which occur across the Lake States: silt loams, clays, and sands, respectively. Using an experimental approach, different levels of soil compaction and organic matter removal were applied to harvested aspen stands across this soil gradient. Aspen reproduction, forest biomass, and the diversity of the ground-flora layers are being monitored on an annual or biennial basis to assess their response to these treatments. The results of this experiment will allow us to predict the degree of protection required to sustain productivity and floristic diversity in aspen stands across a range of common Lake State soil types. The Lake States LTSP study has included an analysis of floristic diversity to the suite of measurements made on the study plots. Biodiversity and forest management has become a critical issue in the Lake States Forests. In Minnesota's Generic Environmental Impact Statement, diversity was one of the key focal issues. Ground-flora has received wide use in ecological indicators and in ecological land classification systems across the Great Lakes (Spies and Barnes 1986, Host and Pregitzer 1991, Coffmann et al. 1983, Shadis et al. 1995). A primary objective of this study was assess the response of the ground-flora community to the soil compaction and organic matter removal treatments within the LTSP study. This response can be assessed not only on a year-by-year basis, but also in describing the rate and trajectory of recovery toward the compositional state of the uncut forest.
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    Effects of Soil Compaction and Organic Matter Removal on Ground-flora Diversity: Seventeen-year Results from the Chippewa National Forest Long-term Soil Productivity Project
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2011) Reschke, Carol; Host, George E
    Soil is one of the key factors regulating the productivity and diversity of forest ecosystems. Soil organic matter resulting from the decomposition of leaf litter and branch and bole material provides an important reservoir of nutrients for future forest growth. The structure of soils, in conjunction with soil texture, determines the ability of a soil to retain moisture. Forest harvest operations, through the use of heavy equipment and slash management practices, have the potential to damage soil structure and remove organic matter from the forest floor. We lack a clear understanding, however, of which soil types are most susceptible, and what degree of impact soils can sustain before the potential productivity and diversity are reduced. To address this issue, the US Forest Service initiated a nationwide Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) study to assess the effects of logging operations on the structure and organic matter content of forest soils (Powers et al. 1990). In the Lake States, study plots were installed on the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Huron National Forests. These plots represent the range of soil textures which occur across the Lake States: silt loams, clays, and sands, respectively. Using an experimental approach, different levels of soil compaction and organic matter removal were applied to harvested aspen stands across this soil gradient. Aspen reproduction, forest biomass, and the diversity of the ground-flora layers are being monitored on a periodic basis to assess their response to these treatments. The results of this experiment will allow us to predict the degree of protection required to sustain productivity and floristic diversity in aspen stands across a range of common Lake State soil types.The Lake States LTSP study included an analysis of floristic diversity to the suite of measurements made on the study plots. Biodiversity and forest management have become critical issues in the Lake States Forests. In Minnesota’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement, diversity was one of the key focal issues. Ground-flora has received wide use as ecological indicators and in ecological land classification systems across the Great Lakes (Spies and Barnes 1985, Host and Pregitzer 1991, Coffmann et al. 1983, Shadis et al. 1995, MN DNR 2003). A study by Berger, Peuttmann and Host showed a strong response of ground-flora to on-site operations, particularly on landings and skid trails, which receive a high degree of compaction (Berger, Peuttmann and Host 2004). The rate and degree to which sites recover from compaction, however, is poorly understood. The primary objective of this study was assess changes in species richness, diversity and community composition seventeen years after installation of the LTSP treatments on the Chippewa National Forest of north central Minnesota.
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    Erosion Forum Summary and Resource Guide
    (2009) North Shore Management Board (NSMB)
    This document gives a brief history and background to soil and bank erosion along the north shore of Lake Superior. It summarizes presentations made during the forum, and gives examples of erosion control projects near Two Harbors. The report gives practical examples and suggestions for planners, local governments and developers.
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    Grasslands and Brushlands of the Oak Savanna Region of Minnesota as Biomass Feedstock Sources
    (2010-01) Gillitzer, Peter Andrew
    Abstract summary not available.
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    Methods to Incorporate Historic Surface Hydrology Layer in Mn/Model [Phase 4] Using Existing Geographic Information System Data
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2008-05) Stark, Stacey L.; Farrell, Patrice M.; Mulholland, Susan C.
    The goal of this research was to develop methods for identifying indicators of historic and prehistoric surface hydrologic features in available Geographic Information System (GIS) data to create a GIS layer representing relict hydrography for inclusion in Mn/Model, Mn/DOT’s statewide archaeological predictive model. This research addresses the limitation imposed on the current predictive model by the absence of historic and prehistoric surface water features, such as drained lakes and wetlands. Because several important variables are derived from surface hydrography in Mn/Model, the use of historic/prehistoric hydrologic features, instead of strictly modern features, will greatly improve its predictive accuracy. This research resulted in an automated tool, developed using ArcGIS ModelBuilder and based on ESRI ArcGIS ArcInfo 9.2 (ESRI 2005), that can be used on any county in the state where the input data are available. 17.
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    Re-examining the Amazonian Dark Earth Phenomenon: Biochar
    (2017-08) Colosky, Edward
    This thesis presents three linked research projects. The first and second research chapters (Ch. 2 & 3) exhibit results from studies examining biochar material properties. The third and final research chapter (Ch. 4) provide two unique findings; 1) that there are mineralogical differences between Amazonian Dark Earth and Brazilian Oxisol soil profiles, and 2) that iron mineralogy does affect soil microbial respiration rates. These chapters are associated with each other through hypotheses surrounding Amazonian Dark Earth (ADE) pedogenesis. Biochar (a subset of black carbon materials) is often cited as the key factor for explaining the observed enhanced fertility of ADE soils when compared to natural occurring surrounding Brazilian Oxisol soils. Biochar is often researched to understand how the effects observed in ADE soils may be applied elsewhere. Data presented in chapters 2 & 3 of this thesis, however, raise questions regarding its soil enhancing properties. Data presented in chapter 4 provide evidence for how a previously overlooked factor in Amazonian Dark Earth soils, iron mineralogy, could potentially affect additional soil properties including soil microbial respiration rates. Differing soil microbial rates with time will alter carbon sequestration rates and soil fertility. The fundamental conclusion of this thesis is that the data collected here supports the suggestion that ADE soils should be reexamined, with a focus on the iron mineralogical differences found between ADE and Brazilian Oxisol soils.
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    Re-use of Regional Waste in Sustainably Designed Soils
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2022-04) Saftner, David; Cai, Meijun; Whitcomb, Adam
    This project explores the potential re-use of waste materials/by-products as a soil amendment in northeastern Minnesota. The project team identified 23 waste/by-products and collected 15 of but only analyzed 11 because of the possible content of persistent chemicals in some of the materials or the unwillingness of the owner to participate. Peat screenings, peat scrapings, tree bark, harbor dredge sediment, coarse and fine taconite tailings, and street sweepings were characterized in physical, chemical, and biological properties through lab tests. The results showed that none of the studied materials were defined as hazardous based on RCRA (Resource Recovery and Conservation Act) metal levels and contained minimal or undetectable Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Peat by-products were efficient in removing metals from stormwater runoff. The relatively high phosphorus content of peat by-products provided sufficient nutrients to plant growth but could be released when mixed with low-phosphorus runoff. Dredge sediment and street sweeping had low organic contents but could remove 90% or more of the copper from the runoff. Tailings could remove 50% or less of the metals. Radish or oat can successfully grow in 28 days with individual materials or a blend of materials, except for fine tailings, which are in a clay form and thus don't filter water well.
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    A Report on Field Research in Soils
    (Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 1990)
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    A Report on Field Research in Soils 1991
    (Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 1991)
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    Scott County Prime Farmland Mapping Project
    (Minneapolis: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 2009) Schweser, Greg