Runoff and interrill erosion as affected by grass cover in a semi-arid rangeland of northern Mexico

Abstract

Runoff and interrill erosion are significantly affected by amount and type of cover and growing season on semi-arid rangelands. However, little is known about hydrologic and erosion processes in semi-arid rangelands of northern Mexico. Runoff rates and interrill erosion were measured by using simulated rainfall within a shortgrass community in five grass cover classes during the growing and dormant seasons. Differences in runoff and interrill erosion were found between classes of grass cover during both seasons. Runoff and interrill erosion are affected mostly by basal cover of grasses, aerial cover of grasses, organic matter, soil water content, sand content and percentage of cover by rock and gravel.