Long-Term Soil Productivity

LTSP Study Design

The Missouri LTSP Study is comprised of thirty plots.  There are three plots per treatment, in addition to three control plots.  Within the study, there are three levels of organic matter (OM) removal and three levels of soil compaction (C).  In addition to these effects, each of the non-control plots are sub-divided by competition control.  Competition on the north half of all plots is controlled using chemical herbicides.  After the treatments were applied to the site, shortleaf pine, northern red oak, and white oak seedlings were planted on the treatment plots.  Observational and growth data for the seedlings are available from the Data & Measurements section.

Effects Matrix

Listing of plots by organic matter removal, and soil compaction

A detailed description of the levels of organic matter removal and soil compaction, as well as the treatments by plot can be found in the treatment description section.