Runoff and erosion from a rapidly eroding pinyon-juniper hillslope

摘要: The dramatic acceleration of erosion associated with the expansion pinyon-juniper woodlands over past 100 years has been a widely recognized but poorly understood phenomenon. A more complete understanding will come only through long-term observations and related factors. To this end, we are conducting study small (1-ha) catchment in rapidly eroding woodland. Since July 1993, have collecting data on runoff, erosion, weather conditions catchment, as well topography, soils, vegetation. Our preliminary results suggest that (1) is currently cycle accelerated began concomitant shift from ponderosa pine forest to woodland was initiated by prolonged drought; (2) intercanopy soils cannot be sustained at current rates mostly stripped away about century; (3) large summer thunderstorms most important agents (4) increases dramatically scale increases; (5) runoff makes up <10% water budget.