Location of Sampling Stations: Soil are sampled along the LTER vegetation transects.

Frequency of Sampling: Cores were obtained for analysis once from each site during the first week of October 1982. Sites are now scheduled to be sampled in the non-winter seasons of every 5th year.

Variable Measured: Bulk density, pH, cation exchange capacity, concentrations of Ca++, Mg++, and Na+, extractable phosphorous, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen. In 1987, the following additional variables were measured: K, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, NH₄-N, and NO₃-N.

Methods: An Oakfield Soil Sampler, with a coring diameter of 3/4" (19.05 mm) is used to obtain soil.

Litter is scraped off of the surface prior to inserting the tube. Soils are sampled to a depth of 5 cm at all sites, and additional samples to a depth of 25 cm are obtained at all Tully soil sites. A composite sample is obtained by taking ten 5 cm cores along each of the vegetation transect and mixing these together in plastic zip-closed bags. Similarly, four 25 cm cores are combined to form a single sample at each Tully site.  Occasionally, it is not possible to get all the 25 cm samples. Samples were taken as deeply as possible and notes about actual depths were made on the plastic sampling bag.

All samples were stored at 5-10^oC until they could be processed. The samples were sieved through a #5 U.S.A. Standard Testing sieve (4 mm opening). All visible rocks and large root fragments are subsequently removed from the sieved soil. Sorting takes approximately 20 minutes for each composite sample. Sieved soil is returned to the plastic sampling bag and submitted to the K.S.U. Soils Testing Laboratory for chemical analyses. Upon completion of analysis, any remaining soil is returned to KSU Biology for archival storage.

Bulk density data are obtained from the individual cores placed in soil tins. These are air-dried and weighed, sieved (as above) and reweighed, then dried at 105^oC and weighed a final time. No chemical analyses are performed on these samples. Locations of Archived Soil Samples: 1982, 1987, 2002, 2010 -Bushnell Annex 121. Other years are missing or were not returned from Soils Testing Lab.

Procedures for Chemical: KSU Soils Testing Laboratory used their standard test procedures. Details about their

various procedures may be found through their website: www.agronomy.ksu.edu/soiltesting/

Many of the original methods used may be found in the following reference: 1998. Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region-North Central Regional Publication No. 221 (revised).  University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbia, MO.

Summary of All Changes:

1982: Watersheds: 001c, 001d, 004b, 020b, N01b, N04a. N20b

1987: Watersheds: 001c, 001d, 002c, 002d, 004a, 004b, 004d, 004f, 020b, N01a, N01b, N04d, N20a, N20b. Samples were taken July to September.

1992: Watersheds: 001c, 001d, 002c, 002d, 004a, 004b, 004d, 004f, 004g, 020b, N01b, N02a, N04c (bench), N04d, N20a, N20b, irrigation transect. Samples were taken May to June. Twelve 5cm cores taken at all sites.

1997: Watersheds: 001a, 001c, 001d, 002c, 002d, 004a, 004b, 004f, 020a, 020b, N01a, N02a (N, S and W), N04a (N and S), N04c (bench), N04d, N20a, N20b, irrigation transect. Samples were taken in July. Twelve 5 cm cores taken at all sites

2001: Fire reversal project began. 001a became R20a, 001c became R20b, 020a became R01a and 020d became R01b.

2002: Watersheds: 001d, R01a, R01b, 002c, 002d, 004a, 004b, 004f, 020b, R20a, R20b, N01a, N01b, N02a (N, S and W), N04a, N04c (N and S), N04d, N20a, N20b, irrigation. Samples were taken in September. Slopes are no longer sampled. 5cm cores reduced to 10 per site.

2010: Watersheds: 001d, R01a, R01b, 002c, 002d, 004a, 004b, 004f, 020b, R20a, R20b, N01a, N01b, N04a, N04d, N20a, N20b, irrigation, Texas Hog pasture, 00SA, 00SB, 00SC, C03A, C03B, C03C, C01D. Samples were taken September to October. Texas Hog pasture, 00SA, 00SB, 00SC, C03A, C03B, C03C, C01D are part of the new patch burn study.

2020: Watersheds from core LTER watersheds: 001d, R01a, R01b, 002c, 002d, 004a, 004b, 004f, 020b, R20a, R20b, N01a, N01b, N04a, N04d, N20a, N20b, irrigation, Texas Hog pasture, 00SA, 00SB, 00SC, C03A, C03B, C03C, C01D. Samples were taken September to October. Texas Hog pasture, 00SA, 00SB, 00SC, C03A, C03B, C03C, C01D are part of the new patch burn study.  In 2020, some data in the watershed column, for example, '1Ai' or '4Aa' -  '1 and 4' are for 1-31 plot number, A is for 'a, b, c, d'  the new transect, 'i ' is for irrigation treatment,  'a' is for the amibent, and so on.

For additional metadata information see: http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/sites/default/files/DC.pdf

For additional methods information see: http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/sites/default/files/MM.pdf