Sonoma Mountain Institute

Here is an updated spreadsheet of the seasonal grassland monitoring project.

Seasonal Grassland Monitoring First 5 Months

During the analysis of the grassland experiment data we observed seasonal shifts/trends within each of the three communities (Perennial Wet, Perennial Dry and Annual Upland) leading us to further inquiry. In November 2007, we began conducting monthly soil biology and soil chemistry tests on the three control plots (west) used in the grassland experiment.

Here are the soil biology results from the first three months of monitoring:

Seasonal Grassland Monitoring First 3 Months

Currently I am coordinating with my botany teacher to schedule a time to collect soil samples from a few native grassland patches at Pepperwood preserve. This might give us some insight into how the baseline data of our non-native grasslands compare to the soil foodweb profile of native grasslands?

The updated grassland experiment data has been reviewed and the final write-up is complete.

In brief, this experiment has not altered the soil biology or chemistry with any of our treatments to make a significant measurable difference; nor did we observe a change in percent coverage of native and non-native grass species. Our data does reflect seasonal trends within the control plots that support further study.

Please see the full document and data sheet below:

Final Grassland Write-Up 02.05.08

GL Soil Biology Data

With the discover that we had been incorrectly entering data into our SFI database, I have pulled the “Final Grasslands Write-Up” from the SMI blog. This update will effect our last round of 27 tests, changing the values of active fungi, total fungi and their ratios. Currently, all the Grassland Experiment data is updated and compiled into spreadsheets for Jacob, Cate and I to review. Once the final conclusions are made, I will post the updated (and hopefully final) Grassland Experiment Write-Up.