@article{alshraah_kranz_mclaughlin_heitman_2024, title={Wildflowers and compost amendment can improve infiltration in soils impacted by construction}, volume={4}, ISSN={["1752-1688"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.13202}, DOI={10.1111/1752-1688.13202}, abstractNote={Abstract Vegetation is an important component of stormwater control measures, as vegetation can reduce erosion and runoff. While grass is typically used in stormwater control measures, wildflowers can be planted to reduce maintenance and improve pollinator habitat. Previous studies have established that tillage followed by establishment of a vigorous vegetation stand can increase infiltration relative to compacted soils. Compost can also improve soil physical properties and fertility. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential improvements in infiltration using tillage together with compost and either grass or wildflowers. Wildflowers or grass were planted on tilled soil with or without compost at three sites in North Carolina. Bulk density, infiltration rate, root mass density, and penetration resistance were measured every 6 months over a 30‐month period. A subset of plots received wheel traffic from a mower. Compost application reduced bulk density compared to tillage alone. Compost improved infiltration at two sites (46%–50%). Wildflowers improved infiltration at all sites (30%–43%) compared to grass. Few differences were observed in root mass and penetration resistance. Mower traffic reduced soil improvements more in grassed plots than wildflower plots due to higher mowing frequency. Results suggest compost and/or wildflowers together with tillage (at establishment) provide viable options to improve soil conditions and infiltration rate in construction impacted soils.}, journal={JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION}, author={Alshraah, Shaddy H. and Kranz, Christina N. and McLaughlin, Richard A. and Heitman, Joshua L.}, year={2024}, month={Apr} }
 @article{kranz_mclaughlin_amoozegar_heitman_2023, title={Influence of compost amendment rate and level of compaction on the hydraulic functioning of soils}, volume={3}, ISSN={["1752-1688"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.13119}, DOI={10.1111/1752-1688.13119}, abstractNote={There has been widespread interest in using compost to improve the hydrologic functions of degraded soils at construction sites for reducing runoff and increasing infiltration. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of compost amendment rate on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and water retention in order to identify target compost rates for enhancing soil hydrologic functions. Samples were prepared with three soil textures (sandy loam, silt loam, and sandy clay loam), amended with compost at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. All soils were tested at a porosity of 0.5 m3/m3, and the sandy loam was further tested at high (0.55 m3/m3) and low (0.4 m3/m3) porosities. The Ks and water retention data were then used to model infiltration with HYDRUS‐1D. With increasing compost amendment rate, Ks and water retention of the mixtures generally increased at the medium porosity level, with more compost needed in heavier soils. As porosity decreased in the sandy loam soil, the amount of compost needed to improve Ks rose from 20% to 50%. Water distribution in pore fractions (gravitational, plant‐available, and unavailable water) depended on texture, with only the highest compost rates increasing plant‐available water in one soil. Results suggest soil texture should be taken into consideration when choosing a compost rate in order to achieve soil improvement goals. Hydrologic benefits may be limited even at a high rate of compost amendment if soil is compacted.}, journal={JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION}, author={Kranz, Christina N. and McLaughlin, Richard A. and Amoozegar, Aziz and Heitman, Joshua L.}, year={2023}, month={Mar} }
 @article{kranz_mclaughlin_heitman_2022, title={Characterizing Compost Rate Effects on Stormwater Runoff and Vegetation Establishment}, volume={14}, ISSN={["2073-4441"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/w14050696}, DOI={10.3390/w14050696}, abstractNote={Urban development exposes and compacts the subsoil, resulting in reduced infiltration, which often leads to problems with establishing vegetation, increased erosion, and increased runoff volumes. Compost incorporation into these soils can potentially enhance soil physical properties, vegetation establishment, and pollutant removal. The goal of this field study was to determine the efficacy of compost as a soil improvement measure to reduce runoff volume, improve runoff quality, and increase vegetation establishment on a disturbed sandy clay subsoil representing post-development conditions. Two sources of compost were tested: (1) a certified yard waste product at 10%, 30%, and 50% by volume, and (2) an uncertified yard waste product at 30% by volume, both compared to a tilled, no-compost control. Treatment plots were established at Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory in Raleigh, NC, and observed for one year. Tilling alone may have been sufficient to reduce runoff quantity as few differences were found between tilled and compost amended plots. Runoff water quality also did not differ according to compost addition. However, the certified compost increased biomass production proportionally to the amount added and compared to the uncertified compost at the same rate. The improved vegetation establishment with compost is important for long-term erosion control and ecosystem services. The results of this study suggest (1) tilling is a viable option to achieve high infiltration rates and reduce runoff volumes, (2) compost incorporation does not reduce nor improve water quality, and (3) compost may yield more robust vegetation establishment.}, number={5}, journal={WATER}, author={Kranz, Christina N. and McLaughlin, Richard A. and Heitman, Joshua L.}, year={2022}, month={Mar} }
 @article{amoozegar_heitman_kranz_2022, title={Comparison of soil particle density determined by a gas pycnometer using helium, nitrogen, and air}, volume={11}, ISSN={["1435-0661"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20476}, DOI={10.1002/saj2.20476}, abstractNote={Abstract Soil particle density (ρ s ) is often assumed as 2.65 g cm −3 (density of quartz). The objectives of this study were to compare the use of different gases for determining ρ s in a gas pycnometer and relate measured ρ s to soil particle size distributions. The ρ s of 36 natural soil samples representing 12 USDA textural classes, fine glass beads, crushed granite rock, kaolinite, and bentonite were measured by a commercial gas pycnometer using He, N 2 , and dry air. The ρ s of 30 of the soil samples, glass beads, and crushed rock were also determined with a water pycnometer. The ρ s of 36 soil samples determined by He and 30 samples determined by water had narrow ranges with averages of 2.65 and 2.59 g cm −3 , respectively. The ρ s determined by air and N 2 had much wider ranges with averages of 2.93 and 2.97 g cm −3 , respectively. There was a near 1:1 relationship between ρ s of all samples determined by air and N 2 with a highly significant ( p < .001) correlation coefficient ( r = .99). The average ratio of ρ s determined by He and water was 1.03, but the correlation coefficient for their relationship was only .416. Although the relationship between ρ s determined by He and either air or N 2 was relatively strong ( r < .61), the regression coefficient was <.17. There was a strong relationship between soil clay content and ρ s determined by N 2 or air but a weaker, yet statistically significant ( p < .05) relationship when using He.}, journal={SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL}, author={Amoozegar, Aziz and Heitman, Joshua L. and Kranz, Christina N.}, year={2022}, month={Nov} }
 @misc{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2022, title={Incorporated compost effects on infiltration, water quality, and vegetation establishment}, url={https://ieca.mynewscenter.org/incorporated-compost-effects-on-infiltration-water-quality-and-vegetation-establishment/}, journal={IECA Research & Education}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2022}, month={Jan} }
 @article{kranz_rivers_mclaughlin_heitman_2022, title={Influence of compost application rate on nutrient and heavy metal mobility: Implications for stormwater management}, volume={9}, ISSN={["1537-2537"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20403}, DOI={10.1002/jeq2.20403}, abstractNote={Amending soils with compost has become increasingly common in stormwater management practices. Compost can be a source and sink for nutrients and heavy metals, and it is important to understand the effect of compost on pollutant leaching under different hydrologic conditions. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the distribution coefficient (Kd ) of nutrients (NH4 -N, NO3 -N, PO4 -P) and metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) for compost-soil blends, and (2) examine how compost rate alters leaching patterns of pollutants from compost-soil blends. Material consisted of a sandy loam subsoil, a yard-waste compost, and compost-soil blends at 20% or 50% compost by volume. Materials were tested in sorption-desorption experiments using simulated stormwater (SW); columns with the materials were also leached with either SW or deionized (DI) water. As compost rate increased, the Kd for PO4 -P and Cr decreased but increased for Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn. The addition of compost reduced the sorption of PO4 -P and Cr, potentially making it a source of these pollutants. Simulated stormwater did not increase the amount of pollutants retained compared to DI water for compost blends, except for 100% compost columns. Nitrate was the only constituent that had a negative removal efficiency, suggesting the compost was a source of NO3 -N. Column media retained more than 70% of the metals from the added stormwater solution. These results suggest that yard-waste compost blends at ≤ 50% have the potential to retain certain pollutants from infiltrating stormwater, but this effect may decline after several storm events. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY}, author={Kranz, Christina N. and Rivers, Erin N. and McLaughlin, Richard A. and Heitman, Joshua L.}, year={2022}, month={Sep} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2021, title={Amending Roadside Soils with Compost: Effects on Runoff Quality and Quantity, and Vegetation Establishment}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2021} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2021, title={Compost Incorporation on Roadsides for Soil Improvements and as a Stormwater Control Measure}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2021} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2021, title={Managing Stormwater Quantity and Quality with Compost Incorporation}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2021} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2021, title={Organic amendments for soil restoration on North Carolina Roadsides: A review}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2021} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2021, title={Review of Incorporating Compost into North Carolina Roadsides}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2021} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_2020, title={Amending roadside with compost post-construction to improve soil hydraulic properties}, author={Kranz, C.N.}, year={2020} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2020, title={Compost amendment rate and level of compaction alter pore size distribution and soil hydraulic properties in three different textured soils}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2020} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2020, title={Compost and Compaction Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2020} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_rivers_heitman_mclaughlin_2020, title={Nutrient and metal leaching losses verses retention in compost-soil blends}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Rivers, E. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2020} }
 @article{kranz_mclaughlin_johnson_miller_heitman_2020, title={The effects of compost incorporation on soil physical properties in urban soils – A concise review}, volume={261}, ISSN={0301-4797}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110209}, DOI={10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110209}, abstractNote={Incorporation of compost into soil can significantly alter soil physical properties, nutrient dynamics, and vegetation establishment. Strategic compost application to disturbed, degraded urban soil may provide benefits to soil properties. This review compared twenty-five peer-reviewed studies that evaluated changes in soil bulk density, infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity, and water retention where compost was incorporated into urban soils. A wide range of compost rates and incorporation depths were evaluated in these studies across many soil types. Compost incorporation generally reduced bulk density, enhanced infiltration and hydraulic conductivity, and increased water content and plant available water, compared to unamended controls. In the four studies on runoff water quality, compost incorporation often resulted in higher initial nutrient content in runoff water, but also enhanced grass growth and reduced sediment loss. Few studies evaluated multiple compost application rates or incorporation depths, and the ways in which compost application rates were reported varied widely between studies making it difficult to directly compare them. Four studies investigated the long-term effects of compost incorporation, and there was no clear pattern of why some soils display enhanced physical properties over time and others do not. Compost was largely reported to have a positive effect on degraded urban soils. Little research has focused on the longevity of compost in urban soils after one application, and thus, this would be a valuable topic of further investigation.}, journal={Journal of Environmental Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Kranz, Christina N. and McLaughlin, Richard A. and Johnson, Amy and Miller, Grady and Heitman, Joshua L.}, year={2020}, month={May}, pages={110209} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_rivers_heitman_mclaughlin_2020, title={Tying nutrient and metal leaching losses to infiltration rates in compost-soil blends}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Rivers, E. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2020} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_rivers_heitman_mclaughlin_2020, title={Using compost post-construction to improve soil hydraulic properties and manage nutrient export}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Rivers, E. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2020} }
 @misc{kranz_2019, title={Applying compost to roadsides to increase infiltration of water}, author={Kranz, C.N.}, year={2019} }
 @book{quigley_kranz_whitman_2019, title={Effects of seed source and burn severity on jack pine seedling establishment}, institution={Lake States Fire Science Consortium}, author={Quigley, K. and Kranz, C. and Whitman, T.}, year={2019} }
 @article{kranz_whitman_2019, title={High‐Severity Burning Increases Jack Pine Seedling Biomass Relative to Low‐Severity Prescribed Fires}, volume={83}, ISSN={0361-5995 1435-0661}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.09.0342}, DOI={10.2136/sssaj2018.09.0342}, abstractNote={Within the state of Wisconsin, there is a gradient of serotiny in Pinus banksiana Lamb. (jack pine). With prescribed burning becoming more common in Wisconsin, understanding the dynamic and variable effects of burning on soil properties and their interactions with post-fire plant communities is critical. Our objective was to isolate and examine how fire effects on soil properties affect P. banksiana seed germination and seedling growth and establishment. We investigated these effects in two pot experiments and an intact paired core experiment, maintained in a greenhouse for 19 to 24 wk. Soils from the O and A horizons were collected from Coon Fork Barrens, Eau Claire County, WI, before and after a prescribed fire, and O horizon soil was burned in the laboratory to mimic a high-severity wildfire. In the intact core experiment, seed germination and seedling aboveground mass were not affected by prescribed burning. In the pot experiments, jack pine seedlings produced more biomass in laboratory-burned soils than prescribed-burned soils, and seedlings from northwest seed lots consistently had a higher frequency of establishment compared to those from central seed lots. For the low-severity prescribed fire considered in this study, effects on measured soil properties were minimal, and did not result in any improvement to seedling establishment. For soil properties to play an important role in promoting jack pine seedling growth, hotter fires may be required, while lower-severity fires will require other effects- such as seed release, changes to moisture dynamics, or competition- to affect jack pine germination and establishment.}, number={S1}, journal={Soil Science Society of America Journal}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Kranz, Christina and Whitman, Thea}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={S141–S152} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2019, title={Level of compaction and compost amendment rate alter soil hydraulic properties in three urban soils}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2019} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2019, title={Level of soil compaction is more important than compost volume for determining soil hydraulic properties in a sandy loam soil}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2019} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_2019, title={Optimizing compost application rates for vegetation health, stormwater infiltration, and runoff quality}, author={Kranz, C.N.}, year={2019} }
 @article{kranz_whitman_2019, title={Short communication: Surface charring from prescribed burning has minimal effects on soil bacterial community composition two weeks post-fire in jack pine barrens}, volume={144}, ISSN={0929-1393}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2019.07.004}, DOI={10.1016/j.apsoil.2019.07.004}, abstractNote={Prescribed fire – the intentional use of fire to help achieve a land management goal – is becoming increasingly common as a land management practice. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties can be affected by prescribed fires, but depend on the fire, soil type, residence time and frequency, and may not be changed substantially in low-severity burns. Here, we examined soil bacterial community composition immediately post-fire (15 days) in a sandy jack pine barrens soil in Wisconsin, USA. Soil bacterial communities clustered significantly by sample site (p < 0.001) and by soil horizon (p = 0.048), but not by whether or not soil samples were visibly burned. There were also no significant differences in total relative abundance at the phylum level in visibly burned vs. not visibly burned soils, and only two significant differences in abundance or variability of individual taxa. Soil properties remained unchanged post-fire and the fire was visibly patchy, suggesting that the low severity prescribed fire most likely had a minimal soil heating effect. Therefore, we suggest the minimal bacterial community composition shifts seen in this study were likely mediated more by plants than by direct heat-killing or changes to soil properties.}, journal={Applied Soil Ecology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Kranz, Christina and Whitman, Thea}, year={2019}, month={Dec}, pages={134–138} }
 @book{kranz_heitman_mclaughlin_2019, title={The effects of compost on soil physical properties, heavy metals, and turf establishment as means for erosion control and stormwater infiltration}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Heitman, J.L. and McLaughlin, R.A.}, year={2019} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_whitman_2018, title={Prescribed burning effects on jack pine seeds from high and low serotiny regions: Microbial interactions and soil properties}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Whitman, T.}, year={2018} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_2017, title={Effects of fire on soils: Is fire a soil forming factor?}, author={Kranz, C.N.}, year={2017} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_whitman_2017, title={High and low serotiny jack pine seeds with prescribed fire: Implications for seedling success and microbial communities}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Whitman, T.}, year={2017} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_sinton_2013, title={An initial study of soil organic carbon and post-agricultural forest succession age on the Ithaca College natural Lands}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Sinton, C.}, year={2013} }
 @inproceedings{kranz_angione_2013, title={Biochar at Ithaca College: Two greenhouse studies testing the effects of biochar and earthworms on plant mass}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Angione, A.}, year={2013} }
 @misc{kranz_2013, title={What is biochar: Principals and practices for local gardeners}, author={Kranz, C.N.}, year={2013} }
 @misc{kranz_vander hill_zadrizny_2012, title={Biochar soil application depth on plant mass of radishes}, author={Kranz, C.N. and Vander Hill, M. and Zadrizny, A.}, year={2012} }