80%) were tested at two different seasons (growing - August, dormant - January) utilizing a drip-type rainfall simulator. Runoff was continuously collected from 1m² plots with runoff calculated by drying a subsample of plot runoff. Soil erosion was measured at the conclusion of each sample period." />
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Runoff and interrill erosion as affected by grass cover in a semi-arid rangeland of northern Mexico

    • Authors: J. Gutierrez, and I. I. Hernandez

      Date: 1996

      Journal: Journal of Arid Environments

      Volume: 34

      Number: 4

      Pages: 287-295

      Summary of Methods: Simulated rainfall was utilized to measure the effect of plant biomass, ground cover, soil water content, soil organic matter, and soil type on runoff and interrill erosion on the Rancho Los Angeles in south-eastern Coahuila, Mexico (25° 04' 12" N, 100° 58' 07" W). Five cover classes (0-10%, 20-30%, 40-50%, 60-70%, >80%) were tested at two different seasons (growing - August, dormant - January) utilizing a drip-type rainfall simulator. Runoff was continuously collected from 1m² plots with runoff calculated by drying a subsample of plot runoff. Soil erosion was measured at the conclusion of each sample period.

      Article Summary / Main Points: Grass cover of 50% during the growing season and 70% during the dormant season were needed to reduce runoff. Runoff decreased after 15 minutes of rainfall during the growing season when grass cover was at 50%. At 20 minutes, dormant season runoff decreased with grass cover of 50%, and soil retention continued to increase as percent cover increased. Surface runoff during the growing season decreased as grass cover and sand increased. As the level of rock and gravel cover increased so did growing season surface runoff. Dormant season runoff decreased as grass aerial cover, soil water content, and soil organic matter increased. Grass aerial cover, and basal cover reduced interrill erosion while surface rock and gravel, bulk density, and soil water content increased interrill erosion.

      Vegetation Types: Desert Grasslands

      MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable

      Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Grazing

      Article Review Type: Refereed

      Article Type: Experimental Research

      Keywords: range hydrology, runoff, interrill erosion, sediment, plant cover, shortgrass

      Annotation: Study affirms that vegetation is the primary factor affecting runoff and interill erosion. Study is applicable to arid and semi-arid regions of the South West, and Western United States that exhibit similar vegetation and soil types. Caution should be used in applying specific findings to all bunchgrass communities as differences in plant and soils will result in different runoff and erosion rates.

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