Summary:

Productivity of a meadow steppe was determined at the Kursk long-term ecological study site from 1954 to 1983. Measurement of monthly dynamics of above-ground plant biomass were made for each growing season (April-October), although the data on live and dead matter are more sparse and root data collection covers only some years in the 1970s and 80s. Above-ground net primary production was estimated for many years, but the record is discontinuous. These data are part of a series of grassland data sets recently assembled and checked by Dr. Tagir Gilmanov, which cover a wide range of climate and "continentality" (increasing maximum summer temperatures, decreasing precipitation) from the North-West to the South-East of the Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR).

Climate data for this site are also available: see Any Other Relevant Information in section 11 of this document.

More information on the entire Net Primary Production Project can be found at the NPP homepage.

Table of Contents

1. Data Set Overview
   
2. Investigator(s)
   
3. Theory of Measurements
   
4. Equipment
   
5. Data Acquisition Methods
   
6. Observations
   
7. Data Description
   
8. Data Organization
   
9. Data Manipulations
   
10. Errors
    
11. Notes
    
12. Application of the Data Set
    
13. Future Modifications and Plans
    
14. Software
    
15. Data Access
    
16. Output Products and Availability
    
17. References
    
18. Glossary of Terms
    
19. List of Acronyms
    
20. Document Information
    

1. Data Set Overview:

Data Set Identification:

NPP Grassland: Kursk, Russia, 1954-1983

Introduction:

The Kursk study site (51.67 N 36.5 E) is situated close to the city of Kursk in eastern Russia, 500 km south of Moscow. The virgin meadow steppe of the Central Chernozem Natural Reserve in Kursk Region, with its rich loamy chernozem soil, is one of the most productive upland grassland ecosystems of Russia (Gilmanov and Bazilevich, 1983; Bazilevich and Gilmanov, 1984). As well as its long history of scientific research, the study site is notable for its high species richness, with up to 77 species per square meter and 120 species per 100 m2 (Alekhin 1934).This kind of meadow is typically mowed annually.

Measurements of phytomass dynamics have been carried out since 1954 (Semyonova-Tyan-Shanskaya, 1966; Utekhin, 1977; Khoang-Tyung, 1975; Gilmanov and Bazilevich, 1983; Bazilevich et al. 1988). A comprehensive description of the rich chernozem soil of the Kursk Natural Reserve is provided in the monograph by Afanasyeva (1966).

Objective/Purpose:

Data on biomass dynamics and productivity were recently assembled and checked as part of a series of grassland data sets covering a wide range of climate and "continentality" (increasing maximum summer temperatures, decreasing precipitation) from the North-West to the South-East of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Gilmanov et al., 1996).

Summary of Parameters:

There are fifteen (15) parameters for this dataset. Items 1 and 2 refer to the site and the treatment of the site. Items 3, 4, 5, and 6 indicate the date of data collection. 1. Site 2. Treatment 3. Year 4. Month 5. Day 6. Date in decimal year 7. Above ground biomass 8. Standing dead 9. Litter 10. Above ground total matter 11. Below ground biomass 12. Below ground dead 13. Below ground total matter 14. Above ground net primary production (calculated) 15. Cumulative above ground net primary production (calculated)

Discussion:

A long time series of above-ground biomass data is available for each growing season from 1954 to 1983. There is also a discontinuous record of above-ground biomass, dead matter and litter from 1956 to 1983, as well as root data for 1972-73 and 1981-83.

Related Data Sets:

NPP data from other grassland sites are available elsewhere in this archive. Summary tables containing site characteristics and metadata for all the grassland sites are also available.

2. Investigator(s):

Investigator(s) Name and Title:

Dr. N.I. Bazilevich and others

Title of Investigation:

Determination of net primary productivity of a meadow steppe at Kursk, Russia.

Contact Information:

Dr. T.G. Gilmanov
Center for Ecology and Productivity of Forests
Russian Academy of Sciences
69 Novocheryomushkinskaya
Moscow 117418
RUSSIA

c/o Department of Biology and Microbiology
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
U.S.A.

Telephone (U.S.A.): +1 (605) 688-4925/6141
Fax (Russia): +7 (095) 200-2216/2217 (Attn. Gilmanov 002840)
Fax (U.S.A.): +1 (605) 688-6677
Email: Tagir_Gilmanov@sdstate.edu

3. Theory of Measurements:

Net primary production (NPP), sensu stricto, is the total photosynthetic gain (less respiratory losses) of vegetation per unit ground area. For a given period, this is equal to the change in plant mass plus any losses due to death and decomposition, measured for both above ground and below ground plant parts. Earlier estimates of grassland NPP were based on peak standing dry matter only, and the studies of the International Biological Programme (IBP) in the late 1960s and early 1970s were based mainly on above-ground biomass changes, with few estimates of below-ground production.

Peak above-ground live biomass (or in some cases, the difference between maximum and minimum biomass) has been used as an estimate of net primary production - usually where only one or two measurements per year are available. Sometimes a conversion factor has been applied to take account of estimated turnover and the estimated ratio of above-ground to below-ground dry matter.

The "IBP Standard Method" of Milner and Hughes (1968) assumes that where live biomass increases between successive samples, production equals this increase; where biomass decreases or remains the same, production is assumed to be zero. Annual production is then obtained by summing the estimates for each sample interval.

Essentially, this method was used for the IBP synthesis by Singh and Joshi (1979), in particular for their estimates of below-ground production. A modified method was used for above-ground production, determined by a decision matrix (Singh et al., 1975); where increments in live biomass coincided with increases in standing dead matter, the latter were added to the monthly production.

The limitations of the above methods are discussed in detail by Long et al. (1989). In particular, the peak biomass method and variations on the IBP method underestimate production by not accounting for simultaneous growth and death. This may be significant in temperate grasslands with a long growing season, and is particularly a problem in tropical grasslands where the growing season may extend over much of the year. Some limited overestimation may occur by not accounting for periods of negative NPP (due to stress, or translocation between above and below ground plant parts) but underestimation of root turnover is probably the largest source of error. Long et al. (1989) estimated NPP for three terrestrial tropical grassland sites by summing monthly changes in live biomass plus losses due to death and decomposition for above and below ground vegetation. Monthly losses were determined as the change in dead matter plus the estimated disappearance of dead matter through decomposition. Dead matter disappearance was calculated each month as the product of relative decomposition rate and mean amount of dead matter.

Although some correlation between estimates obtained using different methods has been reported (Singh et al., 1975), the degree of underestimation may be strongly site-specific (Linthurst and Reimold, 1978; Long and Mason, 1983). Where sufficient data are available for a given grassland site, it may be possible to estimate NPP according to the different methods for the purposes of comparison. This may involve entry of data into algorithms or a spreadsheet containing these algorithms.

Methodological aspects of field experimental studies of biomass and production of grassland ecosystems in the Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR) were summarized by Titlyanova (1988). The methods of field measurements of above-ground and below-ground biomass in Russian grasslands are based on the harvest technique and with respect to sampling area, replication, etc., are very close to the methods used by western ecologists during the IBP studies (e.g. Milner and Hughes, 1968; Sims and Coupland, 1979). The Russian approach to estimation of the annual production of grassland plant communities (with subdivision on aboveground and belowground components) is based on a calculation procedure utilizing data of repeated (usually 2-weekly) sampling during the season of live, standing dead and litter fractions of phytomass. This method of calculation gives the estimates of production which are 1.6 to 2.0 times higher than the seasonal maximum of the standing crop of the corresponding phytomass fraction (Titlyanova, 1988).

4. Equipment:

Sensor/Instrument Description:

• soil corer
• quadrat sampling frame
• laboratory balance

Collection Environment:

Ground level

Platform/Source:

Field investigation

Platform/Source Mission Objectives:

Determination of net primary productivity

Key Variables:

Above ground live biomass/standing dead matter/litter;
Below ground live/dead root biomass

Principles of Operation:

See "3. Theory" Above

Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry:

Not Applicable

Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument:

Information Not Available

Calibration:

Not Applicable

5. Data Acquisition Methods:

Refer to literature or Principal Investigator/ Contact for details

6. Observations:

Data/Field Notes:

Contact Principal Investigator (see 2. above) for details of any peculiar conditions at the time of data collection

site elevation (m): 250

mean annual precipitation (mm): 582.7

mean monthly min temperature (C): -12.4 (Jan)

mean monthly maximum temperature (C): 24.2 (July)

vegetation type: meadow steppe

dominant species: Bromus riparius (C3 photosynthetic type)

historical long-term management regime (estimated): annual mowing

maximum aboveground live biomass (typical month): 362 g m^-2 (July)

soil type: chernozem/haplaboroll

soil pH: 6.3

soil texture (sand/silt/clay): 0.32/ 0.31/ 0.37

soil carbon content: 10430 g m^-2 (0-20 cm)

soil nitrogen content: 910 g m^-2 (0-20 cm)

7. Data Description:

Spatial Characteristics:

Spatial Coverage:

Study site located at 51.67 N, 36.5 E

Spatial Coverage Map:

Not Available.

Spatial Resolution:

Not Applicable

Projection:

Not Applicable

Grid Description:

Not Applicable

Temporal Characteristics:

Temporal Coverage:

April 1954 to October 1983. Preview data set to check for data gaps, missing values, etc.

Temporal Coverage Map:

Not Applicable

Temporal Resolution:

One month

Data Description:

Parameter/Variable:

There are fifteen (15) parameters for this dataset. Items 1-2 refer to the site and the treatment of the site. These items are referred to as coded variables.

1.
variable=Site
definition=site where data were gathered
code=kln: Kursk

2.
variable=Treatmt
definition=long term management of site
code=lngtrm: annual mowing

3.
variable=Year
definition=year in which data were collected
units=year
minimum=1954
maximum=1983

4.
variable=Mn
definition=month in which data were collected
units=month
minimum=04
maximum=11

5.
variable=Dy
definition=day in which data were collected
units=day
minimum=01
maximum=29

6.
variable=Tyear
definition=Date in decimal year
units=year plus the Julian date divided by 365
minimum=1954.290
maximum=1983.790

7.
variable=AGbiomass
definition=above ground biomass
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=5
maximum=770

8.
variable=STdead
definition=standing dead
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=13
maximum=612

9.
variable=litter
definition=litter found above ground
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=84
maximum=761

10.
variable=AGtotmatter
definition=above ground total matter
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=455
maximum=1406

11.
variable=BGbiomass
definition=below ground biomass
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=500
maximum=1948

12.
variable=BGdead
definition=below ground dead
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=783
maximum=1582

13.
variable=BGtotmatter
definition=total matter found below ground
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=1300
maximum=3333

14.
variable=ANPP
definition=above ground net primary production
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=*
maximum=*

15.
variable=CUMANPP
definition=culmulative above ground net primary production
units=[g][m^-2]
minimum=0.0
maximum=1147.0

* Results not available. Parameter included for format consistency with other NPP datasets.

Sample Data Record:

Site   Treatmt   Year   Mn    Dy    Tyear     AGbiomass   Stdead   
-----------------------------------------------------------------
krs    lngtrm    1954   04    15    1954.290  20.0        -999.9
litter   AGtotmatter  BGbiomass  BGdead  BGtotmatter   ANPP   CUMANPP   
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-999.9   -999.9       -999.9     -999.9   -999.9      -999.9  -999.9

8. Data Organization:

Data Granularity:

The data file associated with the Kursk Grassland is listed below.

Data File krs_npp.txt 21.1 KBytes
Period: 15 Apr 1954 through 15 Oct 1983
Latitude: 51.70N, Longitude: 36.50E

A general description of data granularity as it applies to the IMS appears in the EOSDIS Glossary.

Data Format:

The dataset is an ASCII file. The first 18 lines are metadata; data records begin on line 19. The variable values are delimited by semi-colons. The value -999.9 is used to denote missing values.

Site;Treatmt;Year;Mn;Dy;Tyear;AGbiomass;Stdead;litter;AGtotmatter;BGbiomass;BGdead;BGtotmatter;ANPP;CUMANPP [units g/m2]
krs;lngtrm  ;1954;04;15;1954.290;  20.0;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9
krs;lngtrm  ;1954;05;15;1954.370; 100.0;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9;-999.9

9. Data Manipulations:

Formulae:

Derivation Techniques and Algorithms:

Algorithms and/or software available for calculating NPP from data sets using different methods are not currently available.

Data Processing Sequence:

Information Not Available

Calculations:

NPP Data Dictionary

Graphs and Plots:

Information Not Available

10. Errors:

Information Not Available

11. Notes:

Limitations of the Data:

Net primary production of grasslands is subject to a number of different methods of estimation from biomass data, some of which may be inappropriate for particular biome types. Methodology of estimation/calculation needs to be taken into account, as well as methodology of measurement, when making comparisons between different regions. Errors in biomass measurement may also occur between different study sites. For short time series of data it may be assumed that measurement methodology remains consistent; however, over very long time series changes in staff, tools, etc. may lead to "calibration" errors.

Known Problems with the Data:

Information Not Available

Usage Guidance:

See "Limitations of the Data" above

Any Other Relevant Information About the Study:

Monthly climate data from 1947 to 1983 (monthly maximum and minimum temperature and monthly rainfall) are available for this study site in the file "/data/npp/grassland/comp/krs_cli.txt">krs_cli.txt".

Some daily weather data may be available - refer to Principal Investigator / Con tact

12. Application of the Data Set:

Data on net primary production of particular ecosystem types worldwide is in demand from modellers working at a variety of scales from Global Climate Models (GCMs) to regional or national estimates of carbon fluxes between atmosphere, biosphere and soils. Ground-based data are also required for calibration of remote sensing measurements, and parameterisation and validation of models based on remote sensing.

The long measurement record, covering a great diversity of weather conditions, makes the Kursk site a valuable object for model validation studies. The 30-year time series of above-ground live biomass and plant production ranges from a low of 202 g/m2 in 1963, (a cold winter and spring followed by dry and hot May), to a high of 770 g/m2 in 1982 (favorable weather in all seasons of the year).

13. Future Modifications and Plans:

Refer to Principal Investigator for details of continuing data collection.

14. Software:

Software Description:

Utility software is planned to available for (i) generating quasi-real daily/hourly climate data from the monthly data; (ii) calculating NPP from data sets using different algorithms, crude root/shoot ratios, etc.

Software Access:

Not Yet Available

15. Data Access:

Contact Information:

ORNL DAAC User Services Office
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN
U.S.A.

Telephone: +1 (865) 241-3952
Email Address: ornldaac@ornl.gov

Data Center Identification:

ORNL Distributed Active Archive Center
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN
U.S.A.

Telephone: +1 (865) 241-3952
Email Address: ornldaac@ornl.gov

Procedures for Obtaining Data:

Users may place requests by letter, telephone, electronic mail, or FAX. Data are also available via the World Wide Web at ">http://

Data Center Status/Plans:

NPP data are available from the ORNL DAAC. Please contact the ORNL DAAC User Services Office for the most current information about these data.

16. Output Products and Availability:

Available on-line, as computer FTP file (zipped or unzipped), on CDs, or on IBM-formatted diskettes.

17. References:

Afanasyeva, E.A., 1966. Chernozems of the Middle Russian Upland (In Russian). Nauka, Moscow. 224 pp.

Alekhin, V.V., 1934. The Central Chernozem steppes. Kommuna Publ., Voronezh. 96 pp.

Bazilevich, N. I. 1983. Net Primary Production for Kursk (Russia) Grassland Site Dataset, In Gilmanov, T.G. and Bazilevich, N.I., 1983. Conceptual balance model of the organic matter cycling in an ecosystem as the theoretical basis for monitoring. In: V.E. Sokolov and N.I. Bazilevich (eds.), The Theoretical Foundations and Experience of Ecological Monitoring. Nauka, Moscow. pp. 757. (In Russian). A.

Bazilevich, N.I. and Gilmanov, T.G., 1984. Conceptual balance models of natural and seminatural ecosystems of the Central Chernozem Biosphere Reserve. In: Conservation, Science and Society (Natural Resources Research, XXI, vol. 2). UNESCOUNEP, pp. 347350.

Bazilevich, N.I., Shmakova, E.I., Tishkov, A.A. and Tran, Ti, 1988. Grassland ecosystems of the Russian Plain. The Kursk Region. In: Biological productivity of herbaceous ecosystems (V.B. Ilyin, ed.) (In Russian). Nauka, Moscow. pp. 5866.

Gilmanov, T.G. and Bazilevich, N.I., 1983. Conceptual balance model of the organic matter cycling in an ecosystem as the theoretical basis for monitoring. In: V.E. Sokolov and N.I. Bazilevich (eds.), The Theoretical Foundations and Experience of Ecological Monitoring. Nauka, Moscow. pp. 757. (In Russian).

Gilmanov, T.G., W.J. Parton and D.S. Ojima (1996) Testing the CENTURY ecosystem level model on data sets from eight grassland sites in the former USSR representing a wide climatic/soil gradient. Ecological Applications (in press).

Khoang-Tyung, 1975. Seasonal dynamics of the above and below-ground biomass of the plants of the meadow steppe (In Russian). Bull. Moscow University, Ser. Biol.Soil Sci. No. 3, pp. 5864.

Linthurst, R. and R.J. Reimold (1978) An evaluation of methods for estimating the net primary production of estuarine angiosperms. J. Applied Ecology 15, 919-932.

Long, S.P. and Mason, C.F. (1983) Saltmarsh Ecology. Blackie, Glasgow.

Long, S.P., E. Garcia Moya, S.K. Imbamba, A. Kamnalrut, M.T.F. Piedade, J.M.O. Scurlock, Y.K. Shen and D.O. Hall (1989) Primary productivity of natural grass ecosystems of the tropics: a reappraisal. Plant and Soil 115, 155-166.

Milner, C. and R.E. Hughes (1968) Methods for the Measurement of the Primary Production of Grassland. IBP Handbook No.6. Blackwell, Oxford.

Semyonova-Tyan-Shanskaya, A.M. 1966. Dynamics of the Steppe Vegetation (In Russian). Nauka, Moscow-Leningrad. 169 pp.

Sims P.L. and R.T. Coupland (1979) Producers. In: Grassland ecosystems of the world: analysis of grassland and their uses (ed. R.T. Coupland). Cambridge University Press. pp. 49-72.

Singh, J.S. and M.C. Joshi (1979) Tropical grasslands primary production. IN: Grassland Ecosystems of the World (R.T. Coupland, ed.) Cambridge University Press. pp. 197-218.

Singh, J.S., W.K. Lauenroth and R.K. Sernhorst (1975) Review and assessment of various techniques for estimating net aerial primary production in grasslands from harvest data. Botanical Review 41, 181-232.

Titlyanova, A.A. (1988) Methodology and methods of studying of the production-destruction processes in herbaceous ecosystems, In: Biologicheskaya produktivnost' travyanykh ecosistem [Biological productivity of herbaceous ecosystems] (V.B. Ilyin, ed.). Nauka, Novosibirsk (In Russian). pp. 3-10.

Utekhin, V.D., 1977. Primary Biological Productivity of the ForestSteppe Ecosystems (In Russian). Nauka, Moscow. 146 pp.

18. Glossary of Terms:

A general glossary for the DAAC is located at http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/cdiac/glossary.html.

A glossary of EOSDIS terms is available at http://wist.echo.nasa.gov//v0ims/glossary.of.terms.html.

19. List of Acronyms:

A general list of acronyms for the DAAC is available at http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/cdiac/pns/acronyms.html.

The EOSDIS Acronym and Abbreviation List is located at http://wist.echo.nasa.gov//v0ims/acronyms.html

20. Document Information:

December 3, 1997 (data citation revised on September 23, 2002)

Review Date:

January 15, 1998

Document ID:

ORNL-NPP_KRS.

Citation:

Gilmanov, T. G. 1996. NPP Grassland: Kursk, Russia, 1954-1983. Data set. Available on-line [http://www.daac.ornl.gov] from Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Document Curator:

webmaster@www.daac.ornl.gov

Document Author:

Dr. J.M.O. Scurlock

Document URL:

http://daac.ornl.gov

Revision Date: June 23, 2010 webmaster