GPD01 Grass chemistry and drought tolerance in response to bison grazing at konza prairie, 2023

Leaf-level physiology was collected on four abundant grass species at Konza Prairie Biological Station in the summer of 2023. Grasses were sampled near bison wallows, in adjacent grazed prairie, and in ungrazed bison exclosures. Soil cation and nutrient concentrations were collected in October 2023 at each location. Data were used to assess how bison grazing and wallowing affect grass physiology and soil nutrients at fine spatial scales. Measurements included light response curves to quantify maximum electron transport rates, turgor loss point, and foliar 13C , and C, N, P, and K content at four time points across the growing season from June through August. Focal species included Andropogon gerardii (C4 panicoid), Sorghastrum nutans (C4 panicoid), Dicanthelium oligosanthes (C3 panicoid), and Bouteloua dactyloides (C4 chloridoid).