Central Kansas Research Articles

Effects of Grassland Management on Breeding Birds at the Western Edge of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in Kansas

We studied responses of breeding birds to alternative regimes for managing tallgrass prairie at the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range in central Kansas. Species richness, diversity, and evenness did not differ among treatments, but overall abundance was highest in unburned idle (i.e., not grazed or hayed) transects, and was lowest in idle transects burned that spring. However, no treatment was either superior or inferior to all others for attracting the highest numbers of every species. Dickcissels (Spiza americana) and Henlow's sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) were most numerous in unburned idle units, grasshopper sparrows (A. savannarum) were most abundant in grazed units and hayed units, upland sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) were most often found in burned units, whereas eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) were less abundant in burned units than in all other treatments. We conclude that the recent switch to burning idle units every 3–4 years, rather than annually, has benefitted most grassland bird species. The variety of management regimes implemented at Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range fosters heterogeneity of vegetative structure across the landscape, and thereby allows the site to provide for differing needs of various species, thus enhancing its value for grassland bird conservation.

Using Radio-Telemetry to Assess the Risk European Starlings Pose in Pathogen Transmission Among Feedlots

We monitored site-use and movements of 102 radio-tagged European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the winter months at 2 concentrated animal feeding operations (feedlots) in central Kansas. Our research investigated the spatial ecology of wintering starlings as part of a broad epidemiological study on the possible role of starlings in pathogen transmission at feedlots. Site fi delity was 0.677 and 0.552 (days at capture-site per total days tagged) for feedlots A and B, respectively. Minimal exchange (9%) occurred between feedlots A and B and was often followed by a roost-site change. Starlings rarely abandoned the feedlot where they were captured, but we observed 41 (40%) birds that temporarily switched allegiance from their capture sites to other feedlots; the farthest bird was detected 68 km from the capture site. We speculate that the limited frequency of time spent at non-capture-site feedlots could lower the potential for risk of starlings spreading pathogens among feedlots. We suggest management strategies within the feedlot that may reduce starling populations and speculate that this would lower the risk of spreading pathogens among feedlots.

Paying for sediment: Field-scale conservation practice targeting, funding, and assessment using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool

Watershed models have been widely used to estimate soil erosion and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices at different temporal and spatial scales; however, little progress has been made in applying these theoretical model results to the practical challenge of allocating conservation practice funding to meet specific soil loss objectives. Black Kettle Creek subwatershed (7,809 ha [19,295 ac]) of Little Arkansas River Watershed (360,000 ha [889,579 ac]) in south central Kansas was the focus of an innovative project to target conservation practice funding and pay directly for modeled sediment reduction. Detailed data (10 m [33 ft] digital elevation model topography, Soil Survey Geographic database soils, and a manually developed land use/land cover layer) were input into the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model, and the calibrated model was used to quantify soil erosion for each field. Effectiveness of locally relevant best management practices (BMPs) was simulated for each field. The simulated field-scale effectiveness for implemented BMPs ranged from 9% to 83% for single BMPs and 67% to 100% for selected combinations of BMPs. An in-field signup sheet was developed with field-specific sediment loss–based payments calculated for each BMP option. BMP implementation was 16.7% of cropland area prior (preinstalled BMPs) to the project, and 30.6% of cropland area (postinstalled BMPs) was added due to project-funded implementation. Postinstalled BMP implementation (47.3% of cropland) resulted in 35.8% sediment yield reduction compared to the no-BMPs scenario and 21.9% reduction compared to preinstalled BMP conditions, which was better than initially projected for this project. Inclusion of nontargeted fields and less-than-optimal BMPs had no influence on achieving soil loss objectives because payments were based on implemented soil loss rather than implemented area. Targeting of conservation practices based on payments scaled directly by project outcome (in this case, dollars per ton of sediment reduction) using a modeling approach allowed flexibility for both adopters (farmers) and funders (project staff) while assuring the project objective (i.e., sediment reduction) was met.

Effects of delayed steroid implanting on health, performance, and carcass quality in high health risk, auction market-sourced feedlot steers1,2

Auction-derived feeder calves (n = 1,601; initial BW = 273.5 ± 4.7 kg) were used to examine effects of delayed administration of the initial steroid implant on health, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Steers were procured from multiple auction markets in the southeastern United States and shipped to a central Kansas feedyard over a 6-wk period from December 2009 to January 2010. Steers were rested overnight before processing, then were randomly assigned, within arrival block, to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) implanted with Revalor-XS (40 mg estradiol and 200 mg trenbolone acetate) immediately upon arrival or 2) implanted with Revalor-XS 45 d postarrival. Cattle were weighed by pen using a group scale immediately after processing of each block. Feed deliveries were measured using load cells on feed trucks and recorded daily. Cattle were evaluated daily for morbidity and mortality by feedyard health personnel. Sick or injured cattle were removed from the home pen for further diagnosis and treatment. Individual animal health data were obtained and recorded daily. Final BW was calculated by dividing HCW by average dressing percent of the pen. Carcass data (quality grade and yield grade) were obtained by USDA personnel; presence of lung lesions, pleural adhesions, and liver abscesses were evaluated by trained university personnel. Delaying the initial implant tended to reduce morbidity (24.7 vs. 28.5%; P = 0.13) and reduced the percentage of animals requiring early salvage harvest due to chronic, nonresponsive respiratory disease (1.8 vs. 3.3%; P = 0.02). However, there were no effects of timing of implant administration (P ≥ 0.31) on rates of retreatment, mortality, lung lesions, or pleural adhesions. Implanting immediately upon feedlot arrival resulted in no effect on ADG or feed conversion (P ≥ 0.30). Cattle implanted upon arrival had numerically greater HCW and yield grade vs. cattle implanted on d 45; however, these differences were not significant (P ≥ 0.16). Delaying the initial implant 45 d did not greatly influence animal health, performance parameters, or carcass characteristics in feeder calves at high risk of developing bovine respiratory disease.

Crop Residue and Residue Management Effects on <I>Armadillidium vulgare</I> (Isopoda: Armadillidiidae) Populations and Soybean Stand Densities

In general, Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille) are considered nonpests of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], but changes in soil conservation practices have shifted the pest status of this organism from an opportunistic to a perennial, early-season pest in parts of central Kansas. As a result, soybean producers that rotate with corn (Zea mays L.) under conservation tillage practices have resorted to removing excess corn residue by using controlled burns. In a 2-yr field study (2009-2010), we demonstrated that residue removal in burned compared with unburned plots (measured as previous crop residue weights) had minimal impact on numbers of live and dead A. vulgare, soybean seedling emergence, and isopod feeding damage over time. Specifically, removal of residue by burning did not result in higher emergence rates for soybean stands or less feeding damage by A. vulgare. In a separate study, we found that number of live A. vulgare and residue weights had no consistent relationship with seedling emergence or feeding damage. Furthermore, seedling emergence was not impacted by higher numbers ofA. vulgare in unburned plots, indicating that emergence in this study may have been influenced by factors other than A. vulgare densities. These studies demonstrate that removing residue through controlled burning did not impact seedling emergence in presence of A. vulgare and that residue and feeding damage to seedlings did not consistently relate to A. vulgare densities. Other factors that may have influenced a relationship between residue and live isopod numbers, such as variable moisture levels, are discussed.

Efficacy of Various Corn Herbicides Applied Preplant Incorporated and Preemergence

Field studies were conducted in central Missouri and central Kansas to evaluate the crop tolerance and efficacy of various combinations of atrazine, flufenacet + isoxaflutole, flumetsulam + clopyralid, isoxaflutole, andS-metolachlor applied PPI or PRE in conventional-till corn. Application technique did not influence crop injury in Kansas. In Missouri, greater crop injury was observed with treatments containing isoxaflutole when applied PPI vs. PRE. Application technique influenced giant foxtail, ivyleaf morningglory, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth, and common waterhemp control. In dry years, control of these weeds was usually either same or greater with PPI than it was with PRE treatments. In years with average to above average precipitation, isoxaflutole provided greater control as a PRE application than as a PPI application. Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp control was usually greater with atrazine, isoxaflutole, andS-metolachlor applied PRE than it was applied PPI. Differences in control of all weeds between PPI and PRE applications were less obvious with two or three herbicides compared with treatments with a single herbicide. In general, the corn yield was greater with most of the treatments having two, three, or four herbicides than it was with treatments having a single herbicide, which was due to better weed control with the tank-mixtreatments.

Delineation of site-specific productivity zones using soil properties and topographic attributes with a fuzzy logic system

A delineation procedure for site-specific productivity zones was developed with a fuzzy logic system using soil properties obtained from on-the-go electrical conductivity (EC) and organic matter (OM) sensors and topographic attributes. EC, OM, slope and curvature were used as input variables, and productivity was set as an output variable. The fuzzy rules were developed with grower's knowledge for typical central Kansas upland fields; areas within the field having high OM, low EC and low slope have the highest productivity potential, and areas within the field with low OM, high EC and high slope have the lowest productivity potential. The fuzzy logic system performed properly and generated productivity as designed by the fuzzy logic and inference scheme. To validate the system, an adjacent field with 5 years of wheat yield data was selected. The spatial agreement between productivity and yield showed as high as 0.57 and 0.35 for overall accuracy and kappa coefficient. The level of agreement is promising, considering there were many other yield-limiting factors such as precipitation, temperature and management effects. From comparison of the productivity map with the map generated by a fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm (FCM map), agreement between the productivity and yield exhibited generally higher in overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient than the agreement between FCM map and yield. Results of this study can benefit producers and consultants who utilise site-specific management by delineating productivity zones using EC, OM, slope and curvature from the on-the-go sensors.

Stability of tallgrass prairie during a 19‐year increase in growing season precipitation

Summary1. Precipitation is considered to be a key driver of ecosystem processes in mesic grasslands, and climate models predict changes in the amount and intensity of precipitation under future global change scenarios. Although most experimental rainfall studies decrease precipitation, seasonal rainfall is predicted to increase in the northern Great Plains under climate change.2. We analysed changes in community composition and structure of upland and lowland native tallgrass prairie in central Kansas, USA, subjected to 19 years of irrigation designed to eliminate moisture stress throughout the growing season.3. Irrigation had limited effects on species richness in both upland and lowland prairie. Total cover increased significantly and consistently with irrigation in drier uplands and in more mesic lowlands. Abundance of rhizomatous, tall, perennial species as well as C3 forbs increased with irrigation.4. The strongest response to irrigation came within the dominant functional type, C4 perennial grasses. Panicum virgatum became the dominant species in irrigated lowlands, whereas Andropogon gerardii remained the dominant species in irrigated uplands and in control plots. Overall, irrigation had less effect on community composition and structure than other known drivers of grassland structure and function.5. In comparison with other studies, our results demonstrate that water addition has less of an impact than fire, grazing or nitrogen addition on composition and dynamics in this mesic grassland. The strongest response to long‐term irrigation occurred within the dominant functional type: tall, perennial, rhizomatous, C4 grasses. Thus, functional redundancy will buffer this ecosystem from potential increases in rainfall due to climate change. Finally, our results highlight the limited utility of qualitative functional traits to predict how this mesic grassland will respond to climate change.

Chemical and elemental composition of big bluestem as affected by ecotype and planting location along the precipitation gradient of the Great Plains

Three big bluestem ecotypes from central Kansas (Cedar Bluffs and Webster populations), eastern Kansas (Konza and Top of the World populations), and Illinois (12Mile and Fults populations), as well as the Kaw cultivar, were harvested from four reciprocal garden planting locations (Colby, Hays, and Manhattan, KS; and Carbondale, IL) and evaluated for their chemical (glucan, xylan, arabinan, lignin and ash) and elemental (carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur) compositions. The objective of this research was to study the effects of ecotype and planting location on the chemical and elemental compositions of big bluestem along the Great Plains precipitation gradient (∼1200 to 400mm mean annual precipitation). All the populations revealed a large variation in cellulose (31.8–36.5%), hemicellulose (24.96–29.74%), lignin (14.4–18.0%), carbon (47.3–51.3%), and nitrogen (4.91–6.44%). Planting location had significant effects on both chemical and elemental compositions of big bluestem. Ecotype had significant effects on glucan, xylan, lignin, and ash contents as well as on carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen elemental fractions. In addition, the interaction between ecotype and planting location had significant effects on glucan, lignin, and hydrogen. Planting location had a greater effect on chemical and elemental compositions than the ecotype and interaction between location and ecotype. The total sugar content of the big bluestem (regardless of ecotype) increased as the Great Plains precipitation gradient increased from west to east. Annual precipitation, growing degree days and potential evapotranspiration in 2010 explained up to 97%, 88% and 80% of the variation in compositions, respectively.

Assessing NEXRAD P3 Data Effects on Stream-Flow Simulation Using SWAT Model in an Agricultural Watershed

AbstractRadar-derived next generation weather radar (NEXRAD) process 3 (P3) data offer high spatial resolution precipitation data that might improve stream-flow simulation accuracy using watershed models. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of spatially averaged subwatershed-specific P3 data on stream-flow simulations by using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) hydrologic model. This study was the first to evaluate the P3 product in watershed modeling. The SWAT model was chosen to simulate hydrological processes in North Fork Ninnescah Watershed (2,400 km2) located in south central Kansas. A precipitation gauge (PG) station was created for each subwatershed by using an area-weighted average of P3 precipitation estimates for all 16-km2 grid cells intersecting the subwatershed. Average subwatershed area (19 km2) was selected to correspond roughly with NEXRAD cell area to minimize spatial aggregation of radar precipitation data. The SWAT model was calibrated with both P3 data a...

Seismic deformation analysis of Tuttle Creek Dam

To facilitate the design of seismic remediation for Tuttle Creek Dam in east central Kansas, a seismic finite difference analysis of the dam was performed using the software FLAC and the UBCSAND and UBCTOT soil constitutive models. The FLAC software has a key advantage because it can use calibrated site-specific constitutive models. Earlier deformation analyses using a hyperbolic constitutive model for the foundation fine-grained materials did not properly represent the modulus and strength reduction and predicted extremely large permanent deformations. Cyclic triaxial laboratory tests using high-quality samples and in situ vane shear tests were used to calibrate the FLAC constitutive model herein. The resulting FLAC analysis of the unremediated dam predicted an upstream slope toe deformation of about 0.6 m, a crest settlement of about 0.6 m, and a downstream slope toe deformation of about 1.5 m using the design ground motion. Based on the estimated permanent deformations and other factors, it was decided that the anticipated upstream slope and crest deformations were tolerable and only the downstream slope had to be remediated to protect the downstream seepage control system.

Western Range Boundaries Of Floodplain Trees in the Southeastern United States

.Forest vegetation in the southeastern United States extends westward beyond the Ozark and Ouachita plateaus in Arkansas and Missouri into the Central Plains. Along this transect, luxuriant forests give way to mixed forests and grasslands that include smaller trees and progressively fewer tree species and eventually to grassland‐dominated landscapes in central Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. This transition is directly related to decreasing precipitation with distance to the west of the Mississippi River valley. Many species, however, have abrupt western range boundaries related to physiography and hydrogeomorphic processes. The western range limits for many trees correspond to Coastal Plain boundaries that at a regional scale impose sharper range boundaries than would be expected on the basis of decreasing precipitation. Also, riparian habitats within stream valleys extending westward from the Coastal Plain provide suitable habitats for trees in the dry regions of the Great Plains. The presence of riparian trees in this region is determined largely by the presence or absence of groundwater conditions necessary for survival. For floodplain trees, then, it is primarily habitat—not climate—that determines the location of range boundaries.

Summer Cover Crops Fix Nitrogen, Increase Crop Yield, and Improve Soil–Crop Relationships

Impact of cover crops (CCs) on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yields is not well understood. We assessed crop yield and its relationships with CC‐induced changes in soil properties for a 15‐yr CC experiment in wheat–sorghum rotation at 0, 33, 66, and 100 kg ha−1 of N application in south central Kansas. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) was used as a winter CC from 1995 to 2000, while sunn hemp (SH; Crotalaria juncea L.) and late‐maturing soybean [LMS; Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were used as summer CCs in no‐till from 2002 to 2008. Summer CCs increased crop yields particularly at low rates of N application. At 0 kg N ha−1, SH increased sorghum yield by 1.18 to 1.54 times, while wheat yield increased by 1.60 times in the first year (2004) after CC establishment relative to non‐CC plots. At 66 kg N ha−1, SH had no effects on sorghum yield, but it increased wheat yield in 2 of 3 yr. Cover crops increased soil total N pool by 270 kg ha−1 for the 0‐ to 7.5‐cm depth. Crop yield increased with the CC‐induced decrease in soil maximum compactibility (soil's susceptibility to compaction) and soil temperature, and increase in soil aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N concentration, and soil water content, particularly at 0 kg N ha−1. Principal component analysis (PCA) selected soil compactibility and total N as the best yield predictors. Inclusion of summer legume CCs in no‐till fixes N, increases crop yield, and improves soil–crop relationships.

Site and Soil Relationships in Natural Stands of Black Walnut in the Flint Hills of Central Kansas

Factors important to tree growth in the Midwest are generally related to moisture availability. By relating site quality to site and soil characteristics of forests, potential productivity can be estimated for non-forested areas. Our study measured the growth potential of black walnut in natural stands. We looked at 28 stands on unglaciated soils in the Flint Hills of east central Kansas and evaluated numerous environmental factors including site and chemical and physical soil properties. These factors were related to tree height at the standard age of 50 years. Simple correlation and multiple regression analyses were run with site index using 31 variables of soil and topographic characteristics. These analyses explained 80% of the variation in height with chemical and physical variables. Soil type and depth to a restrictive layer (DRL) accounted for 55% of the variation in height.

Climate change alters growing season flux dynamics in mesic grasslands

Changing climate could affect the functioning of grassland ecosystems through variation in climate forcings and by altering the interactions of forcings with ecological processes. Both the short and long-term effects of changing forcings and ecosystem interactions are a critical part of future impacts to ecosystem ecology and hydrology. To explore these interactions and identify possible characteristics of climate change impacts to mesic grasslands, we employ a low-dimensional modeling framework to assess the IPCC A1B scenario projections for the Central Plains of the United States; forcings include increased precipitation variability, increased potential evaporation, and earlier growing season onset. These forcings are also evaluated by simulations of vegetation photosynthetic capacity to explore the seasonal characteristics of the vegetation carbon assimilation response for species at the Konza Prairie in North Central Kansas, USA. The climate change simulations show decreases in mean annual soil moisture and and carbon assimilation and increased variation in water and carbon fluxes during the growing season. Simulations of the vegetation response show increased variation at the species-level instead of at a larger class scale, with important heterogeneity in how individual species respond to climate forcings. Understanding the drivers and relationships behind these ecosystem responses is important for understanding the likely scale of climate change impacts and for exploring the mechanisms shaping growing season dynamics in grassland ecosystems.

Remains of Small Ornithurine Birds from a Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Microsite in Russell County, North-Central Kansas

Our analysis of vertebrate remains collected from a Cenomanian microsite in the Lincoln Limestone, the basal-most member of the Greenhorn Formation in Russell County, Kansas, identifies ornithurine (sensu Chiappe, 1996) avian fossils. The specimens presented here are slightly younger than the oldest avian remains known from North America (from the Woodbine Formation, Texas) and of a similar age as the avians from the Asheville Formation in Saskatchewan, Canada. This find thus connects the extensive geographic range of the earliest North American birds from Saskatchewan south through central Kansas and on to Texas. The specimens discussed here are fragmentary, yet show features definitive of ornithurine birds. One specimen is attributable to Ichthyornis, whereas another preserves teeth characteristic of ornithurine birds. In addition to bird bones, the microsite yielded numerous bony fish remains, shark teeth, coniasaur vertebrae, and other lizard bones.

Aerial Insecticide Treatments for Management of Dectes Stem Borer,Dectes texanus, in Soybean

The Dectes stem borer, Dectes texanus LeConte (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is an increasingly important pest of soybean and sunflower in central North America. Nine large-scale field trials were conducted over a 3-year period to determine if Dectes stem borer could be managed with insecticide treatments. Aerial applications of lambda on July 6, 12 and 15 were successful in significantly reducing adults, but applications on July 1, 20 and 24 were less successful. These data suggest that for central Kansas two aerial applications may be required to control Dectes stem borers in soybean. Based on our experience the first application should be made at the peak of adult flight about July 5th and the second application 10 days later. The local treatment schedule should be developed to follow the local Dectes stem borer adult emergence pattern. Treated aerial strips 59 m (195 ft) wide were not large enough to prevent reinfestation, but treated half-circles (24 ha or 60 acres) were successful in reducing in Dectes stem borer infestation of soybean. Sweep net samples of adults were not successful in identifying a treatment threshold, so treatment decisions will need to be based on field history of infestation. Further studies are needed to identify better sampling methods that can be used to establish treatment thresholds and to refine the best timing for treatments.

A ‘Woollgari-Zone Mosasaur’ (Squamata; Mosasauridae) from the Carlile Shale (Lower Middle Turonian) of Central Kansas and the Stratigraphic Overlap of Early Mosasaurs and Pliosaurid Plesiosaurs

Anew specimen of russellosaurine mosasaur (FHSM VP-17564) from the middle Fairport Chalk Member (Collignoniceras woollgari zone, early Middle Turonian), Carlile Shale of central Kansas is among the earliest records of a derived mosasaur known from the North American Western Interior Seaway. Unequivocally the oldest recorded occurrence of a russellosaurine mosasaur from Kansas, and one of only four Kansas occurrences consisting of more than a single element, the specimen includes seven successive proximal caudal vertebrae bearing articulating hemal facets. No demonstrable characters ally the specimen to a more refined taxonomic subgroup, although the relative dimensions of the vertebral centra are significantly longer than equivalent caudal series in Platecarpus and Tylosaurus. This suggests that the tails of early russellosaurines were composed of a lesser number of longer caudal vertebrae than their successors, with less hydrodynamic adaptation from the terrestrial condition. Size of the vertebrae in relation to Platecarpus and Tylosaurus indicates a relatively large animal roughly 3.2 m in total body length, although this may be an over-estimate given the difference in vertebral dimensions as compared to more derived russellosaurines of the Niobrara Formation. The middle of the Fairport Chalk interval continues to produce a large number of vertebrate specimens despite the rarity of exposures. A pliosaurid plesiosaur skull (FHSM VP-321) is known from similar geographic and stratigraphic position as FHSM VP-17564, and the record of pliosaurs (FHSM VP-17469) continues into younger Blue Hill Shale (Prionocyclus hyatti zone, middle Middle Turonian) demonstrating with certainty that pliosaurs and early mosasaurs inhabited the same stretch of seaway for roughly one million years.

Interpreting AMS Radiocarbon Age Determinations from Selected Central Plains Tradition Sites

We report 45 newly-obtained dates for selected Central Plains tradition sites. Of these, 39 dates are from sites assigned to the Smoky Hill phase of central and north-central Kansas; the other six are from sites assigned to the Steed-Kisker phase or south end of the Nebraska phase. All dates were assayed by AMS dating, and all were run on annual plants or residue from ceramics. Before assessing the chronology as reflected by these dates, we consider the advantages of using annual deposits rather than wood charcoal for dating and illustrate the practical effects for Central Plains tradition chronology by comparing the distribution of ages of previously-obtained age determinations on wood charcoal with the distribution of ages on annual plants. The analysis shows that dating annual plants produces a tighter and more objectively interpreted age distribution. The calibrated dates are then evaluated and the implications for Central Plains tradition chronology are discussed.

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of agricultural fires in the central United States in relation to land cover and land use

Agricultural burning is an important land use practice in the central U.S. but has received little attention in the literature, whereas most of the focus has been on wildfires in forested areas. Given the effects that agricultural burning can have on biodiversity and emissions of greenhouse gasses, there is a need to quantify the spatial and temporal patterns of fire in agricultural landscapes of the central U.S. Three years (2006–2008) of the MODIS 1 km daily active fire product generated from the MODIS Terra and Aqua satellite data were used. The 2007 Cropland Data Layer developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture was used to examine fire distribution by land cover/land use (LCLU) type. Global ordinary least square (OLS) models and local geographically weighted regression (GWR) analyses were used to explore spatial variability in relationships between fire detection density and LCLU classes. The monthly total number of fire detections peaked in April and the density of fire detections (number of fires/km2/3 years) was generally higher in areas dominated by agriculture than areas dominated by forest. Fire seasonality varied among areas dominated by different types of agriculture and land use. The effects of LCLU classes on fire detection density varied spatially, with grassland being the primary correlate of fire detection density in eastern Kansas; whereas wheat cropping was important in central Kansas, northeast North Dakota, and northwest Minnesota.