Changes in microclimate induced by experimental warming and clipping in tallgrass prairie

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00510.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T21:39:30Z
• Authors: S. Wan; Y. Luo; L. L. Wallace
• Keywords: Microclimate; Clipping (morphology); Quadrat

Abstract In order to facilitate interpretation and comparison of warming effects on ecosystems across various habitats, it is imperative quantify changes in microclimate induced by facilities. This paper reports observed air temperature, soil temperature soil‐moisture content under experimental clipping a tallgrass prairie the Great Plains, USA. We used factorial design with as primary factor nested secondary factor. Infrared heater was simulate climatic mimic mowing for hay or grazing. The treatment significantly increased daily mean minimum temperatures 1.1 2.3 °C, respectively, but had no effect maximum resulting reduced diurnal air‐temperature range. heaters substantially (2.5 3.5 °C), (2.0 2.6 °C) (1.8 2.1 both unclipped clipped subplots. Clipping also (3.4 4.3 (0.6 1.2 temperatures, decreased (1.0 0.6 °C control warmed plots, respectively). Daily maximum, clipped, subplots were 6.8, 3.2 higher than those unclipped, caused reduction 11.0% moisture subplots, not 17.7 22.7% respectively. Experimental interacted exacerbate loss (26.7%). Overall, infrared simulated climate well enhancing downward radiation reducing