Research Demonstrates How Rapidly Prairie Strips Can Improve Soil Health

Research by Iowa State University scientists working in cooperation with the Soil Health Institute revealed that prairie strips improved eight out of 12 soil health indicators within 10 to 12 years. Earlier studies had already shown that 30 too 100-foot strips of herbaceous, perennial plants established in approximately 10% of a crop field can significantly increase biodiversity and pollinator habitat, reduce erosion, and improve water quality. This study revealed that prairie strips also significantly increase soil aggregate stability, microbial biomass, soil organic matter, and water-holding capacity. Research also showed that significant changes in microbial communities extended from the prairie strips far into adjacent cropland soils. The researchers point out that the measurements of aggregate stability and water-holding capacity used in this study are based on easy, inexpensive techniques accessible to non-scientists, and that landowners can use them to assess soil health on their own fields.

Related ATTRA publication: Managing Soils for Water: How Five Principles of Soil Health Support Water Infiltration and Storage