Bags containing roots or litter of three different species were placed in the field in November of 1989. The three species were Schizachyrium scoparium, Agropyron repens and Poa pratensis. All bags are on the western side of the fenced microplots in field B. There should be no gopher problems with this location and little human disturbance. For roots, a cut in the soil was made with an 18 x 30cm flat spade. After working the spade back and forth to make a hole, the root bag was slipped in. The spade was sunk and pushed on both sides of the bag to close the gap. Bags are 25cm apart in rows 50cm apart (4 long rows, each 12.5m). Aboveground litter bags are located just north of the root bags, also alongside the fence. They are in four rows, with the rows 50cm apart. The bags were layed on top of existing fallen litter. Some are in the open and some are shaded by standing dead material. None were placed directly on top of bunches. Each bag is anchored with a large galvanized nail placed through the tag. Bags are sampled at 3 month intervals.