Nutrient Cycling in Grasslands

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Impacts and feedbacks of nutrients across the western hemisphere

Talk to researchers from the Nutrient Network (NutNet) studying how humans are impacting ecosystems in Argentina, Colorado, and New Mexico. NutNet is a coordinated research network comprised of more than 130 grassland sites worldwide. Instructor’s guide available. Projects include effects of fertilization and altered grazing patterns, how nutrient addition increases grassland sensitivity to droughts, and interaction of soil resources and rainfall in desert grasslands. Find out who they are, how they got interested in their research, and the questions they are asking.

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Date Video Recorded: November 9, 2020
Language: English

About The Researchers

Cini Brown, Colorado State University
Laura Yahdjian, Universidad de Buenos Aires and Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura
Scott Collins, University of New Mexico

Moderated by Elizabeth Borer, University of Minnesota
Hosted by Kerry Wininger, Sonoma State University's Center for Environmental Inquiry

About This Ecosystem

Countries:: North America, South America
States or Provinces:: Colorado, New Mexico
Climate Zones: Temperate, Continental
Biomes: Desert, Temperate Grassland
Habitat Types: Terrestrial

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Concepts Explored in this Video

Abiotic Processes: Nutrient addition increases grassland sensitivity to droughts; Soil resources interact with rainfall

Biotic Processes: Invasive species can dominate grasslands; Plant decomposition influences uptake and release of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Climate Change: Grassland plant communities change in response to fire and moisture level

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