Katie Janzen

She/her

Education: Majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation, and Environmental Biology

Mentor: Jesse Nippert, PhD

McNair Project: The Root of the Problem: Effects of Woody Encroachment on Grassland Hydraulic Conductivity and Macroporosity

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) is contributing to grassland decline worldwide.
Reversing WPE takes time and appropriate management such as prescribed frequent burning.
WPE has been affecting livestock production, biodiversity, and hydrology. This research
focused on fire frequency and drought conditions’ effect on shrubs’ aboveground and root
biomass, using rain out shelters (~50% rainfall reduction) on different fire frequency watersheds
(1-year and 4-year). Results showed shrubs in more frequently burned areas have a lower
aboveground biomass than less frequently burned areas. There was no significant difference in
root biomass for both fire frequency and drought conditions. Further research should be
conducted to understand the relationship between fire frequency, drought conditions, and how
shrub roots alter soil macroporosity and hydraulic conductivity.