Holland and Detling examined plant responses to herbivory and links to belowground nitrogen cycling at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. In laboratory tests, net nitrogen mineralization was highest in soils from the more altered areas of prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and lowest in the adjacent, lightly grazed, uncolonized grassland. The ratio of CO2: net nitrogen mineralized was highest in the uncolonized grassland and lowest in the altered core areas. Decreased root biomass also occurred along the colonization sequence, likely the result of consistent repeat grazing and reduced allocation of carbon belowground. The authors suggest that grazing may have a strong influence on nutrient cycling and energy flow in grasslands by effecting decreased root carbon allocation.
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