Abstract
Riparian areas are often focal points for recreation on western rangelands. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of recreation on soil compaction, runoff, erosion rates, and vegetation in a central Arizona riparian ecosystem. This study was conducted in a Populus fremontii-Fraxinus pennsylvania (Fremont Cottonwood-Velvet ash) riparian community type. The dominate recreational use on the study site is camping and the area is accessible by automobile. A rainfall simulator with an application rate of 5 in/hr (12.7 cm/hr) for 30 minutes was used to produce runoff. Initiation of runoff occurred significantly (P < 0.05) sooner or high use areas (3 minutes, 18 seconds) than light-use areas 8 minutes, 28 seconds). Total runoff from heavy-use areas was significantly (P < 0.05) higher (.12 in; 3.1 mm) when compared to light-use areas (0.008 in; 2 mm). Above ground vegetation ranged from 0 g/m2 in the heavy-use plots to 364 g/m2 in the light-use plots. Higher bulk densities and large areas of exposed soil surface might have contributed to differences in runoff.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 38-42 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Soil and Water Conservation |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Water Science and Technology
- Soil Science
- Nature and Landscape Conservation