CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : De Jong, E. and MacDonald, K. B.
Date : 1975
Title : The soil moisture regime under native grassland.
Publication : Geoderma
Issue : 14(3):
Page(s) : 207-221
Abstract
Detailed measurements of the soil moisture regime under untreated native grassland are reported over a 4-year period and compared with similar data for fertilized grassland, burned grassland, patches of buckbrush and wheat on fallow. Water use of the untreated native grassland ranged from 21.5 to 35.5 cm; fertilization with nitrogen increased water use by about 1 cm during the year of application but had little or no residual effect. The major effects of burning were a reduction in soil moisture recharge during the winter period and lower water use in the year following the burn. Average water use of the buckbrush patches was about 4 cm higher than that of the surrounding native grassland. Water use of wheat grown on fallow was similar to that of native grassland in one out of three years, but in the other two years was several centimeters lower. Over the 4-year period, average water use (29.4 cm) of the native grassland accounted for about 90% of the annual precipitation (32.6 cm). The remaining 10% is probably lost by evaporation during late fall, winter and early spring, and perhaps some runoff during snowmelt. The water use data for the untreated native grassland were related to aboveground dry matter production (r = 0.99). The production of untreated native grassland is compared with long-term data for wheat on stubble. The Versatile Soil Moisture Budget was used successfully to simulate the moisture regime of the untreated grassland as it is affected by soil, climatic, and vegetation properties. The relationship between soil temperature and root activity is discussed in some detail.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology