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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #246680
Title: Hydrologic vulnerability of sagebrush steppe following pinyon and juniper encroachment

Author
item Pierson Jr, Frederick
item Williams, Christopher - Jason
item KORMOS, PATRICK - Boise State University
item Hardegree, Stuart
item Clark, Pat
item RAU, BENJAMIN - Us Forest Service (FS)

Submitted to: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2010
Publication Date: 11/1/2010
Citation: Pierson Jr, F.B., Williams, C.J., Kormos, P.R., Hardegree, S.P., Clark, P., Rau, B.M. 2010. Hydrologic vulnerability of sagebrush steppe following pinyon and juniper encroachment. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 63(6):614-629.

Interpretive Summary: Woodland encroachment on United States (US) rangelands has altered the vegetative structure and hydrologic function of large expanses of historic shrub steppe. These plant community transitions potentially reduces intercanopy (areas between tree canopies) plant densities and basal cover and have been linked to amplified runoff and erosion. We investigated these relationships and the impacts of tree encroachment on runoff and erosion processes at two historic sagebrush steppe sites in the Great Basin, USA. Rainfall simulation and concentrated flow experiments were used to measure infiltration, runoff, and erosion from intercanopy and tree canopy areas at small (0.5 m2) and large (13 m2) plot scales. Soil water repellency and vegetative and basal cover factors that influence runoff and erosion were also quantified. The measured runoff and erosion rates document relative hydrologic stability underneath tree canopies and that shrub-interspaces exhibit the higher water and soil loss vulnerability as tree density reduces intercanopy basal cover. The results provide a basis for predicting Great Basin sagebrush steppe hydrologic and erosional responses to woodland encroachment.

Technical Abstract: Woodland encroachment on United States (US) rangelands has altered the structure and function of shrub steppe ecosystems. The potential community structure is one where trees dominate, shrub and herbaceous species decline, and rock cover and bare ground area increases and becomes more interconnected. Research from pinyon and juniper woodlands in the Desert Southwest US has demonstrated areas under tree canopies effectively store water and soil resources while areas between canopies (intercanopy) generate significantly more runoff and erosion. We investigated these relationships and the impacts of tree encroachment on runoff and erosion processes at two woodland sites in the Great Basin, USA. Rainfall simulation and concentrated flow methodologies were employed to measure infiltration, runoff, and erosion from intercanopy and canopy areas at small (0.5 m2) and large (13 m2) plot scales. Soil water repellency and vegetative and basal cover factors that influence runoff and erosion were quantified. Runoff and erosion from rainsplash, sheetwash, and concentrated flow processes were significantly greater from intercanopy than canopy areas across small and large plot scales and site specific erodibility differences were observed. Runoff and erosion were primarily dictated by the type and quantity of basal cover. Litter offered protection from rainsplash effects, provided rainfall storage, mitigated soil water repellency impacts on infiltration, and contributed to aggregate stability. Runoff and erosion increased exponentially (r2 = 0.75 and 0.64) where bare ground and rock cover exceeded 50%. Sediment yield was strongly correlated (r2 = 0.87) with runoff and increased linearly where runoff exceeded 20 mm h-1. Measured runoff and erosion rates suggest tree canopies represent areas of hydrologic stability while intercanopy areas are vulnerable to runoff and erosion. Results demonstrate the overall hydrologic vulnerability of sagebrush steppe following woodland encroachment depends on the potential influence of tree dominance on bare intercanopy expanse and connectivity and the potential erodibility of intercanopy areas.