Investigation of disturbed and intact woodlands herbaceous understories provided information on species present, biomass production and nutrient capture in preserved and secondary forests.

Yield data for corn (eight years) and soybeans (six years) were collected and analyzed to determine the impacts of a hybrid poplar shelterbelt on crop production on a central Iowa farm.

The midwestern landscape, which formerly consisted of prairies, wetlands, and forests, is now primarily devoted to agricultural purposes. Unfortunately, the resulting large-scale agricultural production has also produced nonpoint source (NPS) pollution of water, alteration of waterways, and disruption of wildlife habitat. NPS pollution, whether by sediment, fertilizers, or pesticides, is a problem nationwide. The agricultural community has addressed this problem by increasing soil conservation efforts and improving chemical application practices. One Best Management Practice (BMP) is the use of riparian (streamside) vegetative filter strips on watersheds prone to such pollution. Most such filter strips to date consist primarily of cool-season grasses.

Weed competition and economics are two common barriers to Iowa farmers' investing in tree plantings. This project examined seven weed control strategies and investigated productivity of small grain/forage combinations raised with trees in an effort to suggest management options that would encourage tree planting in the state.

Researchers studied the behavior of soybean aphids in fields and prairies, and the implications for biological control of these pests

Shelterbelts have the potential to influence growth and yield from various cropping systems. On-farm tests were conducted to determine how shelterbelts interacted with corn, corn/soybean, and strip intercropping.

Planting trees on poor quality cropland may yield some benefits for increasing soil organic carbon. Test plots in four parts of Iowa were examined to determine the level of benefits possible to achieve.