A difficult challenge for ecology is to translate research insights from a limited focal area to large spatial scales. Likewise, many rangeland studies often focus on plant or grazer responses, which limits a comprehensive analysis of the potential positive and negative outcomes of grazing. Using a 3-year experiment on 108 restored grasslands across Kansas, we test whether variation in annual precipitation can reliably account for the role of cattle grazing across large spatial scales. We take a more comprehensive approach than typically utilized by focusing on the potential trophic linkages among plants, insects, and birds in the presence and absence of grazers. In addition to describing key outcomes of this experiment, we use this project as a case study to address the potential challenges and opportunities for the development of data networks that address trophic complexity at large spatial scales. Specifically we ask: 1) Can we find organizing principles that allow us to understand the effects of grazing? 2) How can we adequately address multi-trophic interactions in grazed systems? 3) How does our approach compare with meta-analyses or other multi-site strategies? 4) What approaches are likely to lead to a greater understanding that is broadly applicable?
Results/Conclusions
Our results suggest that projects working at a variety of spatial scales and trophic complexity can be successfully built if we 1) identify effective organizing principles, 2) account for key sources of spatial and ecological variation, 3) anticipate discrepancies in policies and practice, and 4) understand the communication challenges among stakeholders. Using specific examples from our state-wide project, we address each of these issues as we look toward greater integration among experimental and monitoring networks.