uid=KBS,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=orgalluid=sbohm,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=orgallpublicreadhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datasets/215.emlG.RobertsonMichigan State University

3700 East Gull Lake DriveHickory CornersMI49060US

(269) 760-8364(269)671-2351robert30@msu.edu0000-0001-9771-9895KurtThelenMichigan State University

US

(517) 355-0271 x1232thelenk3@msu.edu0000-0003-3464-0826StaceyVanderWulpMichigan State University

3700 East Gull Lake DriveHickory CornersMI49060US

(269) 671-2339(269) 671-2333vanderws@msu.edu2026-04-17

original data source http://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datasets/215

LTERKBSKellogg Biological StationHickory CornersMichiganGreat LakesyieldPrimary ProductionLTER Core Research Areafarmingbiotahttps://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/thesaurus-full.php?thcode=15Data in the KBS LTER core database may not be published without written permission of the lead investigator or project director. These restrictions are intended mainly to preserve the primary investigators' rights to first publication and to ensure that data users are aware of the limitations that may be associated with any specific data set. These restrictions apply to both the baseline data set and to the data sets associated with specific LTER-supported subprojects.All publications of KBS data and images must acknowledge KBS LTER support.The areas around the Kellogg Biological Station in southwest Michigan-85.404699-85.36685742.42026542.3910192009-01-012025-09-19Kellogg Biological StationData Managerlter.data.manager@kbs.msu.eduhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu02vkce854KBS LTERThe GLBRC Scale-up Experiment was established in 2009 at the Marshall Farm and Lux Arbor Reserve of KBS to provide a field-scale context for addressing biodiversity and biogeochemistry questions associated with biofuel production and land use change. The four fields at Marshall Farm were in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) from 1987-2008; three fields (M1-M3) were planted to biofuel crops in 2010, after a conversion without tillage to soybean in 2009, and one field (M4) remained as CRP brome grass to serve as a reference (M4=Ref). The three fields at Lux Arbor (L1-L3) were managed in a tilled corn-soybean-wheat rotation (AGR) before establishment of no-till biofuel crops. Aerial photographs indicate that, prior to 1987, all seven scale-up fields had been farmed in hay and row crops since at least 1938 and that during the 1950’s Marshall fields had some animal grazing. Each site has individual fields of no-till continuous corn (M1=CRP-C, L1=AGR-C), switchgrass (M3=CRP-Sw, L2=AGR-Sw), and restored prairie (M2=CRP-Pr, L3=AGR-Pr), managed as for corresponding treatments of the GLBRC Biofuel Cropping System Experiment (BCSE; treatments G1, G5 and G10, respectively). Each field has 10 designated sampling stations (S1-S10) around which sampling for the following occurs: 1) surface soil cores analyzed for inorganic nitrogen, soil moisture, and agronomic soil testing and fertilizer recommendations; 2) deep soil cores analyzed for soil bulk density and total carbon and nitrogen; and 3) peak biomass samples for estimates of annual net primary production (ANPP) as well as plant total carbon and nitrogen. ANPP sampling and CN analysis was discontinued in 2017 and replaced in 2018 with conducting canopy species transects. Each field, except the Reference field, is machine harvested every fall and yields are recorded. Harvesting of corn stover began in 2015. Greenhouse gas fluxes were measured in all fields (n=4 chambers/field) throughout the 2009-2016 growing seasons. Each of the seven fields has a CO2 flux tower that measures the flux of CO2 into and out of the canopy/soil and allows for development of a complete carbon budget based on rates of carbon sequestration and loss from these different systems. Microplots examine the effects of alternative management practices on ecosystem processes: 1) Tilled microplots, established in 2009 and 2010 in CRP crop fields at the Marshall Farm site, examined the greenhouse gas costs of tillage on conversion of CRP grassland to biofuel cropping systems. The 2009 microplots were chisel plowed prior to the conversion of grassland to soybean (see Ruan and Robertson, 2013); the 2010 microplots were chisel plowed prior to establishment of biofuel cropping systems (see Ruan and Robertson, 2020). Tillage continues only in the CRP-Corn microplots and occurs every spring prior to planting. 2). Unfertilized microplots (15′ × 15′) were established in 2018 in restored prairie fields (M2, L3) to examine the effects of an occasional fertilization of the main field on plant production.Data Managerhttp://glbrc.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/204This protocol is a guide for actions planned to take place during the year. Actual field operations may differ from what is in the protocol and are recorded in the GLBRC Agronomic Log. Here is the current Lux Arbor Corn Agronomic Protocol. Here is the current Marshall Farm Corn Agronomic Protocol.Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/138Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/27GLBRC intensive-plot treatments include systems ranging from annual crops to native prairie. Different harvest and/or sampling methods are required to quantify these diverse plant communities. All measurements are taken pre-harvest at peak annual biomass for major community components. This generally means physiological maturity for annuals and pre-senescence for perennials. Plant biomass samples are taken from each of the 3 sampling stations within a plot (Fig.1). Note that ANPP is different from yield, which represents some (usually high) portion of ANPP.Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/117The biofuel cropping systems of GLBRC Experiments range from annual crops to perennial monoculture grasses and mixed communities to poplar trees. Different sampling methods are needed to measure aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) in these diverse plant communities. In general, plant biomass is sampled for all major community components before harvest at peak annual biomass. This typically means physiological maturity for annuals and pre-senescence for perennials. For the Biofuel Cropping System Experiment (BCSE; Treatments G1-G10), plant biomass is sampled at each of the 3 sampling stations within a treatment plot (see https://lter.kbs.msu.edu/maps/images/glbrc-station-flags.pdf). ANPP sampling in the Scale-Up Experiment (Fields L1-L3 and M1-M4) terminated after the 2016 growing season, but was sampled from 2009 to 2016 at each of the 10 sampling stations within a field (see https://lter.kbs.msu.edu/maps/images/current-glbrc-scaleup-fields.pdf). The location of the sampling quadrat around the sampling station varies annually and quadrat placement is determined by quadrat size and ease for field sampling. ANPP is measured in g/m2/yr and is the sum of the major plant community components of each treatment at their peak biomass. Note that ANPP is different from agronomic yield, which represents only the harvested portion of ANPP. Also note the BCSE in Arlington (ARL) was retired at the end of the 2017 growing season. The protocols listed below focus on methods used at KBS; if ARL used different methods, those differences are given at the end of each section.Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/156The composition and cover of canopy-forming plant species in grass, forb and perennial treatments of GLBRC Experiments is determined by the Line-Point Intercept (LPI) method. The LPI procedure consists of lowering a sampling pin or rod through the vegetation at regular intervals along a set of transects in each plot and recording the first plant species intercepted vertically in its path or the type of ground cover if not intercepted by plants. Percent cover for each plant species is calculated as the number of times that species is recorded (a “hit”) divided by the total number of sampling points along the transect. Height of the intercepted plant is also measured to provide information on community structure. Sampling frequency: Once annually at or near maturity of the dominant plant species, typically August-September. Sampling details: Marginal Land Experiment: beginning 2017; Treatments G5-11; 4 transects/plot: 2 in the fertilized portion and 2 in the unfertilized. Method 2 Biofuel Cropping System Experiment: beginning 2018, Treatments G2-10; 3 NS transects per plot, main only. Each transect predetermined distance and direction from the station flags and numbered 1-3 based on the station number. Stop about every 1m to identify and measure first intercepted plant. Method 2 GLBRC Scale-up Experiment: beginning 2018; 4 NS transects stretching the full length of fields L2, L3, M2, M3, M4. Stop about every 5m to identify and measure first intercepted plant. Method 2Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/198Stand counts can be used to evaluate seedling emergence, density, and distribution. We use the Vogel-Masters stand count method (Vogel and Masters, 2001) in herbaceous perennial treatments to measure frequency of occurrence or stand percentages of a single target species (i.e., switchgrass, miscanthus) or of a given growth form (i.e., native grasses). Dividing the frequency of occurrence by the total area examined provides a conservative estimate of plant density (plants/m2). This protocol should be completed annually during the establishment phase.Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/175To measure the plant total C and N, plant material is oven dried, finely ground, packed in tin foil capsules, combusted in an automated CHN analyzer, and expressed as the percentage of element in dried plant material. Sampling frequency: Depends on experiment and research objective. For example, as part of our sampling program of the LTER Main Cropping System Experiment, C and N are determined annually in plant materials harvested at peak biomass for annual net primary production (ANPP).Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/40Corn stover is the plant material left in the field after grain harvest and is a potential feedstock for biofuel production. It is harvested from corn treatments in the GLBRC Biofuel Cropping System (BCSE, G1-G4 depending on year) and Scale-up (L1, M1) Experiments. High rates of corn stover removal can decrease soil carbon storage and adversely impact soil fertility, crop productivity, and environmental quality. Thus, subplots were established in corn treatments of the BCSE to examine the potential effects of corn stover removal on soil quality and crop yields. The BCSE annual treatment plots (KBS: 131 × 91 ft; Arlington: 140 × 90 ft) are divided into a 60 ft wide main plot, which aims for 100% corn stover removal, and two 15 ft wide subplots on either side with 0% stover removal (i.e., stover non-removal subplot) generally on the west side and 100% stover removal (i.e., stover removal subplot) on the east side. Note the exception that subplots in Block 1 (G2R1, G3R1, G4R1) at KBS are lain in the opposite direction. Comparison of subplots accounts for potential edge effects and differences in harvest machinery with the main plot. In BCSE annual treatments with cover crops (G2-G4, depending on year), additional subplots were established within the stover removal subplot (only) to examine the effects of cover crop harvest and removal on soil fertility and grain yield. From 2013-2017, the northern one-third of the stover removal subplot served as a cover crop non-removal plot wherein cover crops were killed with an herbicide and the biomass left on the field (herbicided subplot); the remaining two-thirds of the subplot was harvested as in the main plot and served as a cover crop removal subplot (nonherbicided subplot). Note the original cropping treatments of G2-G4 have changed over the years; for more details consult the KBS aglog or archived plot maps.Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/180Just prior to harvest in 2014-2016, we sampled the standing biomass in the continuous corn (G1) and perennial (G5-7 and G9-10) treatments of the GLBRC Biofuel Cropping System Experiment (BCSE) to determine harvest efficiency and losses due to mechanical harvesting and senescence.Data Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/182https://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/267Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Agronomic Yield (GLBRC081-008)Agronomic yields from machine harvests of fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and the Marshall Farm. Note that 1) corn and soybean grain are reported at standard moisture content in bushels per acre; 2) corn stover, switchgrass and restored prairie are reported as megagrams dry matter per hectare; and 3) removal of corn stover from fields began with the 2015 harvest.Agronomic+Yield.csvNone321\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/267.csvyearyear of the growing seasonyear of the growing seasonharvest_datedate the crop was harvestedYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18treatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmenttreatment_nametreatment descriptiontreatment descriptioncropcrop harvestedcrop harvestedcrop_yieldcrop yield - At standardized moisture for corn 15.5% and for soybean 13%. Conversion for corn: 56 pounds/bushel. Conversion for soybeans: 60 pounds/bushel. Switchgrass, prairie and corn stover yield were adjusted to 0% moisture. Units are given in a separate column. realyield_unitsunits for yieldunits for yieldfractionpart of crop that was harvestedpart of crop that was harvestedmoisturepercent moisture of cropgramsPerHectogramrealacreagearea harvestedacrerealhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/623Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Dry Matter Yield (GLBRC081-010)Dry matter yields from machine harvest of fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and the Marshall Farm. Note that 1) corn and soybean grain are reported as dry weight (not at standard moisture content); 2) all yields are reported in megagrams dry matter per hectare; and 3) removal of corn stover from fields began with the 2015 harvest.Dry+Mater+Yield.csvNone271\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/623.csvyearyear of samplingyear of samplingtreatment_nametreatment name in the experimenttreatment name in the experimentspeciescrop speciescrop speciesfractionharvested crop fractionharvested crop fractioncrop_dry_yielddry matter yield of cropmegagramsPerHectarehttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/225Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Aboveground Peak Plant Biomass (GLBRC082-002)Peak above-ground biomass of plant communities in fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and Marshall Farm. Plants are hand-harvested within a quadrat and sorted to species; the residual dead plant material left on the soil surface after hand-harvest is collected and saved as “surface litter”. Peak biomass measurements are used as estimates of above-ground net primary production (ANPP); for machine harvested yields, see http://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/267. Note that 1) peak biomass sampling was discontinued after the 2016 growing season and 2) samples may also be analyzed for total carbon and nitrogen and archived.Aboveground+Peak+Plant+Biomas.csvNone281\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/225.csvyeargrowing season yeargrowing season yearsample_datedate of sample collectionYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18siteexperiment locationexperiment locationtreatment_nametreatment_descriptiontreatment_descriptiontreatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmentstationsampling locationsampling locationspeciesplant speciesplant speciesfractionSpecified component of plant. "Whole" includes the entire plant including seeds. Specified component of plant. "Whole" includes the entire plant including seeds. biomassdry mass of sampled materialdry mass of sampled materialhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/520Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Stem Counts of Annual Crops (GLBRC082-013)Number of corn stems in quadrat samples collected at peak biomass in corn fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and Marshall Farm.Stem+Counts+of+Anual+Crops.csvNone301\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/520.csvyeargrowing season yearYYYY11987-4-18sample_datedate stems were countedYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18sitelocation of countlocation of counttreatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmenttreatment_namedescription of treatment (note that some treatments changed over time) description of treatment (note that some treatments changed over time) stationsampling locationsampling locationspeciesplant speciesplant speciesplant_population_m2number of plants in meter2 quadratsquareMeterrealsample_area_m2area sampledsquareMeterrealcommentssample notessample noteshttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/707Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Canopy Species and Height (GLBRC082-016)The composition and cover of canopy-forming plants is measured in switchgrass, restored prairie, and reference fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and Marshall Farm using the line-point intercept method. The first plant species intercepted vertically and its height is recorded every 5 meters along four NS transects stretching the full length of each field.Canopy+Species+and+Height.csvNone281\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/707.csvsample_datesample dateYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18treatmentthe treatment namethe treatment nametreatment_codetreatment code nametreatment code nametransect_linesampled transect linesampled transect linespeciessampled speciessampled speciesheightplant heightcentimeterrealhas_lodgedhad the plant that was measured lodged?had the plant that was measured lodged?https://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/740Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Switchgrass Stand Counts (GLBRC082-017)Switchgrass stand counts conducted in fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and Marshall Farm early in growing season to monitor crop development and recruitment.Switchgras+Stand+Counts.csvNone271\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/740.csvaverage_stand_countsaverage stand count of the sample stationnumberPerMeterSquaredrealhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/445Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Root Biomass (GLBRC089-005)Root biomass of plants, at or near peak biomass, in fields at Lux Arbor Reserve and Marshall Farm, reported as grams dry weight per square meter.Rot+Biomas.csvNone271\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/445.csvsample_datedate of root collectionYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18siteexperiment locationexperiment locationtreatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmentstationsampling locationsampling locationcropbiomass cropbiomass cropbnpp_g_m2root biomassgramsPerSquareMeterrealcommentsnotesnotesyearsampling yearYYYY11987-4-18https://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/653Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Plant Total Carbon and Nitrogen (GLBRC091-006)Total carbon and nitrogen content of plants of the GLBRC Scale-up Experiment. Dried and ground subsamples of peak biomass samples are analyzed and include: 1) corn stems and grain at each sampling station in fields L1 and M1; 2) switchgrass, an aggregate of additional species, and surface litter, combined across stations, in fields L2 and M3; and 3) separate analysis of the top 3 species by weight, an aggregate of the remaining species, and surface litter, combined across stations, in fields L3, M2, and M4. Subsamples from soybean harvest in 2009 and occasional post-harvest residue collections are also included.Plant+Total+Carbon+and+Nitrogen.csvNone301\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/653.csvcampaignsampling intentsampling intentsample_datedate of samplingYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18treatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmentreplicatereplicate nested in treatmentreplicate nested in treatmentstationsampling locationsampling locationspeciesspecies name of the samplespecies name of the samplefractionplant fraction of the sampleplant fraction of the samplenitrogen percentagenitrogen percentage in samplegramsPerHectogramrealcarbon pertentagecarbon percentage in samplegramsPerHectogramrealhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/717Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Residue Biomass (GLBRC143-001)Biomass of crop residue left in the field after machine harvest of all crops at Lux Arbor and Marshall Farm in 2015 and for corn only in 2015-2017. Data collected to estimate harvest efficiency. Note that corn stover is harvested by windrowing and baling; in 2016-2017 samples were collected from within (W) and between (B) windrows.Residue+Biomas.csvNone321\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/717.csvyearsampling yearintegercampaignthe sampling campaignthe sampling campaignsample_datedate of samplingYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18descriptiondescription of land use history and crop treatmentdescription of land use history and crop treatmentwindrowsampled collected in the windrow (W) or between windrows(B)sampled collected in the windrow (W) or between windrows(B)windrow_widthwidths of the windrow and between-windrowmeterrealstationsampling stationsampling stationspeciessampled speciessampled speciesfractionthe plant fraction sampledthe plant fraction sampledbiomassdry biomassgramrealcommentscomments about the samplecomments about the sample