KBS LTER
@kbslter.bsky.social
#KBSLTER advances sustainable & resilient agricultural ecosystems through integration of long-term scientific research, education & engagement with stakeholders
https://lter.kbs.msu.edu
https://lter.kbs.msu.edu
Check out the feature on @kbslter.bsky.social! At MSU, some discoveries take decades — even centuries — to unfold. The university’s roster of long-term experiments includes our MCSE exploring how farming methods affect the environment and the food supply.
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/11...
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/11...
7 long-term MSU projects shape how we see the world
Learn about a few of the project and experiments at MSU that span years, decades and even centuries.
msutoday.msu.edu
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Check out the feature on @kbslter.bsky.social! At MSU, some discoveries take decades — even centuries — to unfold. The university’s roster of long-term experiments includes our MCSE exploring how farming methods affect the environment and the food supply.
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/11...
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/11...
For over three decades, researchers at Michigan’s Kellogg Research Station have measured yield, profitability, soil aggregation, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions and soil moisture in both tilled and no-tilled fields.
www.no-tillfarmer.com/blogs/1-cove...
www.no-tillfarmer.com/blogs/1-cove...
30-Year Study Showcases No-Till Benefits
For over three decades, researchers at Michigan’s Kellogg Research Station have measured yield, profitability, soil aggregation, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions and soil moisture in bot...
www.no-tillfarmer.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
For over three decades, researchers at Michigan’s Kellogg Research Station have measured yield, profitability, soil aggregation, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions and soil moisture in both tilled and no-tilled fields.
www.no-tillfarmer.com/blogs/1-cove...
www.no-tillfarmer.com/blogs/1-cove...
Check out this awesome blog for the @uslter.bsky.social, written by our very own Rachel Drobnak @dirtylittleworms.bsky.social. Rachel shares stories about the research and outreach surrounding prairie strips done at @kelloggbiostn.bsky.social!
lternet.edu/stories/the-...
lternet.edu/stories/the-...
The functional groups of prairie strip people - LTER
Prairie strips bring not only plant diversity to croplands, but many groups of people too. Rachel Drobnak introduces the human side of prairie research at Kellogg Biological Station LTER.
lternet.edu
October 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Check out this awesome blog for the @uslter.bsky.social, written by our very own Rachel Drobnak @dirtylittleworms.bsky.social. Rachel shares stories about the research and outreach surrounding prairie strips done at @kelloggbiostn.bsky.social!
lternet.edu/stories/the-...
lternet.edu/stories/the-...
In Michigan, the final generation of Monarch butterflies are beginning their migration south to spend the winter in California, Florida or Mexico. Many are stopping by the @kbslter.bsky.social for resting and feeding along their journey! [Photo credit: Jamie Smith]
September 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM
In Michigan, the final generation of Monarch butterflies are beginning their migration south to spend the winter in California, Florida or Mexico. Many are stopping by the @kbslter.bsky.social for resting and feeding along their journey! [Photo credit: Jamie Smith]
From drones helping farmers increase sustainability and profitability, to plant defenses under high nutrients, to the insect apocalypse - check out the latest research from the @kbslter.bsky.social in our press highlights!
lter.kbs.msu.edu/who-we-are/i...
lter.kbs.msu.edu/who-we-are/i...
September 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
From drones helping farmers increase sustainability and profitability, to plant defenses under high nutrients, to the insect apocalypse - check out the latest research from the @kbslter.bsky.social in our press highlights!
lter.kbs.msu.edu/who-we-are/i...
lter.kbs.msu.edu/who-we-are/i...
Reposted by KBS LTER
The publications collected in this month's LTER Network News really demonstrated the wide range of impactful research the LTER does. Here's the list:
mailchi.mp/lternet/lter...
mailchi.mp/lternet/lter...
LTER Network News | July 2025
mailchi.mp
July 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The publications collected in this month's LTER Network News really demonstrated the wide range of impactful research the LTER does. Here's the list:
mailchi.mp/lternet/lter...
mailchi.mp/lternet/lter...
Reposted by KBS LTER
More bad news for butterflies. Our new paper led by Wendy Leuenberger shows common species are declining even more rapidly than rare ones. @ZipkinLab
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS
Insects are declining worldwide. These declines have been documented across taxonomic
groups and are worrisome given ecosystem services provided by...
www.pnas.org
August 4, 2025 at 10:10 PM
More bad news for butterflies. Our new paper led by Wendy Leuenberger shows common species are declining even more rapidly than rare ones. @ZipkinLab
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Today in @nytimes.com Science Section - @kbslter.bsky.social researcher, Bruno Basso, is featured as one of the leaders of a growing movement seeking to harness technology to help farmers, increase agricultural yields, and heal the environment all at the same time.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/c...
Satellites and Drones Are Unlocking Benefits ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ in Michigan
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Today in @nytimes.com Science Section - @kbslter.bsky.social researcher, Bruno Basso, is featured as one of the leaders of a growing movement seeking to harness technology to help farmers, increase agricultural yields, and heal the environment all at the same time.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/c...
Reposted by KBS LTER
Millions of currently farmed acres hold opportunities for biodiversity conservation that are hidden in plain sight!
Satellites and Drones Are Unlocking Benefits ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ in Michigan
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Millions of currently farmed acres hold opportunities for biodiversity conservation that are hidden in plain sight!
Reposted by KBS LTER
Great story! Learning to identify butterflies is in reach. Counts by thousands of people make up the best long term data 🦋 And there are practical means to forestall rapid butterfly decline. Thank you @margaretrenkl
Opinion | How to Count Butterflies
www.nytimes.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Great story! Learning to identify butterflies is in reach. Counts by thousands of people make up the best long term data 🦋 And there are practical means to forestall rapid butterfly decline. Thank you @margaretrenkl
Reposted by KBS LTER
@raviranjan.bsky.social & I are teaching a free online workshop with on experimental design for environmental scientists on the 23rd.
We'll focus on using simulations to evaluate how well different experimental designs help achieve your goals.
Please sign up & share! forms.gle/MZTxeQs4UpMr...
We'll focus on using simulations to evaluate how well different experimental designs help achieve your goals.
Please sign up & share! forms.gle/MZTxeQs4UpMr...
September 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
@raviranjan.bsky.social & I are teaching a free online workshop with on experimental design for environmental scientists on the 23rd.
We'll focus on using simulations to evaluate how well different experimental designs help achieve your goals.
Please sign up & share! forms.gle/MZTxeQs4UpMr...
We'll focus on using simulations to evaluate how well different experimental designs help achieve your goals.
Please sign up & share! forms.gle/MZTxeQs4UpMr...
New research from Michigan State University, led by agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso, addresses a major problem in agricultural carbon markets: how to set an accurate starting point, or “baseline,” for measuring climate benefits.
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/07...
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/07...
MSU team develops scalable climate solutions for agricultural carbon markets
MSU scientists develop a scalable, science-based system for agricultural carbon markets that improves climate impact accuracy, builds trust in carbon credits, and supports regenerative farming across ...
msutoday.msu.edu
September 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
New research from Michigan State University, led by agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso, addresses a major problem in agricultural carbon markets: how to set an accurate starting point, or “baseline,” for measuring climate benefits.
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/07...
msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/07...
New study out of the @kbslter.bsky.social, led by Mia Howard, finds that plants growing in nutrient-rich soil may be more likely to defend themselves against insects and cites the importance of long-term research in the study of evolution!
news.umich.edu/study-golden...
news.umich.edu/study-golden...
Goldenrods more likely evolve defense mechanisms in nutrient-rich soil
A University of Michigan study finds that plants growing in nutrient-rich soil may be more likely to defend themselves against insects.
news.umich.edu
September 8, 2025 at 2:25 PM
New study out of the @kbslter.bsky.social, led by Mia Howard, finds that plants growing in nutrient-rich soil may be more likely to defend themselves against insects and cites the importance of long-term research in the study of evolution!
news.umich.edu/study-golden...
news.umich.edu/study-golden...
Out in the @kelloggbiostn.bsky.social LTAR today for their 3rd annual field day - hearing from farmers, scientists, crop advisors, NRCS, and more - as they share what they’ve learned so far from the aspirational treatments of this experiment and partnership!
September 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Out in the @kelloggbiostn.bsky.social LTAR today for their 3rd annual field day - hearing from farmers, scientists, crop advisors, NRCS, and more - as they share what they’ve learned so far from the aspirational treatments of this experiment and partnership!
Christine Sprunger @sprunger.bsky.social is one of 39 visionaries named to the 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneers, or TAP, list by the World Food Prize Foundation. Congrats Christine!
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/07/chri...
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/07/chri...
www.kbs.msu.edu
September 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Christine Sprunger @sprunger.bsky.social is one of 39 visionaries named to the 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneers, or TAP, list by the World Food Prize Foundation. Congrats Christine!
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/07/chri...
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/07/chri...
Several @kbslter.bsky.social graduate students presented at #ESA2025! Check out these updates on their research!
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/09/esa-...
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/09/esa-...
www.kbs.msu.edu
September 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Several @kbslter.bsky.social graduate students presented at #ESA2025! Check out these updates on their research!
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/09/esa-...
www.kbs.msu.edu/2025/09/esa-...
Calling all KBS LTER photographers! Have some photos from your best day and worst day in the field? Submit them to the LTER Network's yearly photo contest!
lternet.edu/stories/lter...
lternet.edu/stories/lter...
LTER Photo Contest 2025 - LTER
Introducing the LTER Photo Contest, 2025! Spurred on by the great images submitted last year and the fierce site vs. site competition that took place on our Instagram page to pick a winner, we're back...
lternet.edu
September 3, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Calling all KBS LTER photographers! Have some photos from your best day and worst day in the field? Submit them to the LTER Network's yearly photo contest!
lternet.edu/stories/lter...
lternet.edu/stories/lter...
Reposted by KBS LTER
Family Aphelenchidae [af-i-lenk-i-dae]. This family likes to eat fungi, which nematologists call “fungivores.” Aphelenchidae are common in soils all over the world!
#ecology #science #worms #nematodes #invertebrates #soil #soilecology
#ecology #science #worms #nematodes #invertebrates #soil #soilecology
April 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Family Aphelenchidae [af-i-lenk-i-dae]. This family likes to eat fungi, which nematologists call “fungivores.” Aphelenchidae are common in soils all over the world!
#ecology #science #worms #nematodes #invertebrates #soil #soilecology
#ecology #science #worms #nematodes #invertebrates #soil #soilecology
Want to keep up with the latest news from the @kbslter.bsky.social? Check out our blog!
lter.kbs.msu.edu/blog/
lter.kbs.msu.edu/blog/
BLOG | KBS LTER
lter.kbs.msu.edu
August 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Want to keep up with the latest news from the @kbslter.bsky.social? Check out our blog!
lter.kbs.msu.edu/blog/
lter.kbs.msu.edu/blog/
From @kbslter.bsky.social researchers, Grant Falvo and Phil Robertson, have a paper out in Nature Communications Earth and Environment exploring how nature-based climate solutions can help mitigate the radiative forcing that follows deforestation across Midwest.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Nature-based climate solutions can help mitigate the radiative forcing that follows deforestation - Communications Earth & Environment
Nature-based climate solutions such as conservation agriculture and forestry can partially offset the global warming caused by deforestation, while natural forest regeneration is capable of a complete...
www.nature.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
From @kbslter.bsky.social researchers, Grant Falvo and Phil Robertson, have a paper out in Nature Communications Earth and Environment exploring how nature-based climate solutions can help mitigate the radiative forcing that follows deforestation across Midwest.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Reposted by KBS LTER
Family Monhysteridae [mon-hiss-tare-i-dae]. Monhysteridae are quirky bacteria-eating nematodes, because they have unique body features and are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions: anaerobic (no oxygen), dry, and even polluted environments.
#worms #nematodes #soilscience #ecology
#worms #nematodes #soilscience #ecology
May 8, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Family Monhysteridae [mon-hiss-tare-i-dae]. Monhysteridae are quirky bacteria-eating nematodes, because they have unique body features and are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions: anaerobic (no oxygen), dry, and even polluted environments.
#worms #nematodes #soilscience #ecology
#worms #nematodes #soilscience #ecology
Reposted by KBS LTER
Family Hoplolaimidae [hop-low-lime-i-dae]. Hoplolaimidae are considered plant parasites because they require a host plant to live and reproduce. They can parasitize a wide range of host plants, including pine trees, grasses, and agricultural crops.
#wormwednesday #ecology #invertebrates #nematodes
#wormwednesday #ecology #invertebrates #nematodes
May 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Family Hoplolaimidae [hop-low-lime-i-dae]. Hoplolaimidae are considered plant parasites because they require a host plant to live and reproduce. They can parasitize a wide range of host plants, including pine trees, grasses, and agricultural crops.
#wormwednesday #ecology #invertebrates #nematodes
#wormwednesday #ecology #invertebrates #nematodes
New review highlights scientific basis of regenerative agriculture. Rather than prescribing specific methods, it emphasizes observable outcomes – improved soil function, biological activity, and resilience – allowing flexibility across farming contexts.
www.morningagclips.com/regenerative...
www.morningagclips.com/regenerative...
Regenerative Agriculture: A Transformative Approach to Ecological Farming and Soil Recovery
Learn how ecological farming can combat soil degradation and ecological breakdown, promoting sustainable practices in agriculture.
www.morningagclips.com
August 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
New review highlights scientific basis of regenerative agriculture. Rather than prescribing specific methods, it emphasizes observable outcomes – improved soil function, biological activity, and resilience – allowing flexibility across farming contexts.
www.morningagclips.com/regenerative...
www.morningagclips.com/regenerative...
Reposted by KBS LTER
@kbslter.bsky.social uses soil warming experiments from the LTER and beyond to show global patterns of warming on plant communities. Some things are common: biomass increases, N decreases, but mostly, it's complicated!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
@kbslter.bsky.social uses soil warming experiments from the LTER and beyond to show global patterns of warming on plant communities. Some things are common: biomass increases, N decreases, but mostly, it's complicated!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by KBS LTER
Another @kbslter.bsky.social showed that a plant species more often took a defensive morph after THREE DECADES of nitrogen addition. That's cool evidence that nutrient addition is driving evolution within a single long-term experiment!
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Another @kbslter.bsky.social showed that a plant species more often took a defensive morph after THREE DECADES of nitrogen addition. That's cool evidence that nutrient addition is driving evolution within a single long-term experiment!
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...