This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: ?

Brett Roberts -- Thanks for the correction to my not-so-carefully 
considered statement about the relationship between corn and soybean 
acreage and original prairie acreage. Points well taken! (relevant 
quotes edited below, for all concerned) -- James T.


> James C. Trager wrote:

> > Also, a good estimate of the past extent of prairie might be
> > arrived at by getting the figures on corn and soybean acreage, since
> > it's mostly original prairie that has ended up with that present
> > fate.
> 
> The present acreage of corn and soybean acreage would overestimate the
> acreage of original prairie.  There is a vast amount of land that is now
> devoted to these two crops that formed under forest vegetation.  The
> best way to get accurate figures is to consult soil surveys and
> determine the acreage of soils classified as "Mollisols"  these soils
> formed under prairie vegetation..  Much of our corn and soybean acreage
> is grown on "Alfisols" and were formed under forest vegetation.
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
> 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index