Degree Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2006
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Major
Sustainable Agriculture
First Advisor
Heidi Asbjornsen
Second Advisor
Matthew Helmers
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have impacted land management in the Midwest by transforming perennial grasslands and savannas into annual croplands. Agriculturalists presently have a considerable impact on the ecological balance of expansive amounts of land. This study investigates soil water and root dynamics under six different annual and perennial vegetative cover types. Measurement of growing season surface soil moisture showed no significant differences between annual compared to perennial sites. Depth of water uptake determination indicated that buckbrush and oak acquired moisture from deeper depths (5-10 cm to groundwater) than corn and soybean (5-10 to 10-20 cm). Depth of water uptake for sedge, brome grass, and big bluestem were comparable (0-5 to 10-20 cm) to corn and soybean. Despite distinct above ground appearances vegetative cover types may retain below ground similarities far beyond initial restoration. These considerations emphasize the expediency with which elements of healthy agroecosystems must continue to be distinguished and implemented.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/rtd-180813-2855
Publisher
Digital Repository @ Iowa State University, http://lib.dr.iastate.edu
Copyright Owner
Greg William Shepher
Copyright Date
2006
Language
en
Proquest ID
AAI1439920
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
93 pages
Recommended Citation
Shepherd, Greg William, "A comparative agroecosystems analysis of soil water and root dynamics under six different vegetative cover types " (2006). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 888.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/888
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Environmental Sciences Commons
