Soil nutrients influence floristic distribution across remnant and degraded grasslands

Authors: LORD, SAMUEL - University Of Missouri; Veum, Kristen; WOOD, JEFFREY - University Of Missouri; THOMAS, JUSTIN - Institute Of Botanical Training, Llc; ANDERSON, STEPHEN - University Of Missouri; CLARK, KERRY - University Of Missouri; SULLIVAN, LAUREN - Michigan State University

Submitted to: Restoration Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2025
Publication Date: 9/3/2025
Citation: Lord, S., Veum, K.S., Wood, J.D., Thomas, J.R., Anderson, S.H., Clark, K., Sullivan, L.L. 2025. Soil nutrients influence floristic distribution across remnant and degraded grasslands. Restoration Ecology. 33(7). Article e70127. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70127.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70127

Interpretive Summary: Soil nutrient status is an important factor in agricultural productivity. Likewise, the long-term effects of biomass removal and fertilization practices on soil macro- and micronutrient status may impact the success of grassland restoration and reconstruction following agricultural production. This study evaluated the relationship between soil nutrients and floristic quality in remnant, restored, and reconstructed sites across Missouri USA, and a novel method was used to quantify the nutrient range for successful establishment of individual native grassland species. Significant differences in nutrient status were observed across the grassland types, including a substantial reduction in micronutrients and a significant increase in phosphorus and potassium in the former agricultural sites. In addition, the floristic quality declined in the order remnants > restorations > reconstructions, illustrating the long-term effects of soil degradation on restoration efforts. The results of this study provide insight into micronutrient depletion under long-term agricultural production in Missouri, and this information has the potential to increase the efficacy of grassland restoration efforts.

Technical Abstract: The role of past agricultural management, especially changes in soil nutrient status, on floristic quality in reconstructed and restored grasslands is not well understood. To quantify the legacy impact of agricultural production and inform grassland restoration management practices, the relationship between floristic quality and soil nutrient status was evaluated in remnant, restored, and reconstructed grasslands across Missouri USA. Floristic data and soil samples were collected from 34 sites that were classified as remnant (plant indicator species of high-quality floristic communities; n=22), restored (history of land use conversion with minimal soil profile disturbance; n=7), or reconstructed (past land use conversion causing significant soil profile disturbance; n=5) grasslands. A suite of soil macro- and micronutrients were measured, and floristic quality at each site was determined using the Coefficient of Conservatism (C) and species richness. In addition, a novel method of quantifying the relationship between soil nutrients and floristic quality was developed, called nutrient spectrum mapping. Overall, the primary macronutrients phosphorus and potassium were significantly greater, and nitrogen was significantly lower, in restorations and reconstructions relative to remnants. With the exception of iron, micronutrients were significantly depleted in the restoration and reconstruction sites relative to remnants. Species richness and C values declined in the order remnants > restorations > reconstructions. This study illustrates the long-term agricultural impact on soil macro- and micronutrient status, with implications for fertility management in agricultural production systems and grassland reconstruction and restoration efforts. Furthermore, the nutrient spectrum mapping approach demonstrated utility in defining the nutrient status range for individual native species in support of successful establishment during grassland reconstruction and restoration.