Restoration Age and Quality Effects on Dynamic Soil Properties at Nachusa Grasslands in Franklin Grove, IL.

Land use and management are key factors influencing the quality and function of soil as measured through dynamic soil properties.  This study was conducted to quantify the differences in soil quality indicators across a chronosequence of prairie restorations of varying vegetative quality.  Prairie restorations were chosen from a 3,100 acre Nature Conservancy site in Franklin Grove, IL known as Nachusa Grasslands, while the dynamic soil properties bulk density, aggregate stability, organic carbon, particulate organic matter (POM), color, and structure, along with texture were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures.