Spatial and temporal influence of soil frost on infiltration and erosion of sagebrush rangelands
1990
Blackburn, W.H. | Pierson, F.B. | Seyfried, M.S.
Soil infiltration capacity and interrill erosion are significantly influenced by soil frost on western rangelands which are characterized by cold winters and numerous freeze-thaw cycles. However, little is known about the variable influence of this phenomenon. Infiltration and interrill erosion were measured within a sagebrush-grass plant community during the winter, spring, and summer of 1989. Significant spatial and temporal differences in infiltration capacity and interrill erosion were found for shrub coppice dune and dune interspace soils. Infiltration was generally higher for coppice dune soils compared to interspace soils throughout the year. Infiltration capacity for both soils was lowest early in the year when the soil was frozen or saturated, then increased as the soil dried in the spring and summer. Interrill erosion was consistently lower for coppice dune soils compared to interspace soils. Erosion from interspace soils was greatest during a 19-day period in late winter characterized by diurnal freeze-thaw cycles, saturated surface soil conditions, and soil slaking.
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