Ecology of Mixed Prairie in West Central Kansas

Resurvey of Grasses, Forbs, and Underground Plant Parts at the End of the Great Drought

“…It is in eastern Nebraska and Kansas that root penetration is greater than anywhere farther westward or eastward in North American grasslands. Westward it is less because of dry subsoil (Albertson 1937;Weaver 1915Weaver , 1917 blue grama and bare soil, depth of penetration averaged 9 and 2 inches, respectively, and maximum depth in the same order 12.5 and 3.25 inches. Here, as before, depth of infiltration was determined immediately (Fig.…”

“…But a similar comparison of the quadrats in eastern Nebraska before and after the drought (columns 2 and 3) reveals marked changes. Chief among these is the great decrease in Andropogon (Albertson 1937). The little bluestem consociation occupied hillsides, where rock outcrops were common, as well as shallow ravines.…”

“…Drought began in great intensity a year earlier in the mixed prairie westward and southwestward. But previous to 1933, intensive studies had been pursued which gave a clear picture of the composition and structure of the several grassland types (Albertson 1937). Uninterrupted quantitative field studies year after year have traced the further deterioration or improvement of the meager vegetation until the wet year of 1941 finally concluded the dry cycle (Albertson and Weaver 1942).…”

Effects of Drought, Dust, and Intensity of Grazing on Cover and Yield of Short‐Grass Pastures

“…10) Albertson 1937Albertson , 1938Albertson , 1939Albertson , 1941and Albertson & Weaver 1942). The predrought average basal cover of the short grasses in 1932 varied between 80 and 95 percent.…”

Soil‐Root Relationships of Certain Native Grasses in Various Soil Types

“…Earlier studies on the root depth and distribution of native Midwestern range and pasture grasses were made with only minor consideration of specifie soil types or soil horizons (Weaver 1919(Weaver , 1920Sperry 1935;Albertson 1937). The objectives of these early studies were to ascertain the general relationships of roots to soil and to each other as regards spread, depth, and degree of development in the same community and in different and widely separated units of vegetation.…”