Abstract
AbstractDaily soil‐moisture readings were taken during two drouth years with fiberglas units installed on each of 8 plots at 8 depths in the upper 40 inches of soil in a polesize mixed oak and hickory stand, Butler County, Missouri. On two plots the trees were cut and removed and the litter burned (bare); on two the trees were cut and removed and litter was left intact (litter‐only); on two the litter was burned (trees‐only), and two plots were left undisturbed (trees‐and‐litter).The litter‐only plots remained wettest throughout both growing seasons, and bare plots occupied a position of medium wetness. The trees‐only plots and the trees‐and‐litter plots had driest and similar soil moisture contents. Daily rates of soil profile drying during rainless periods were linearly related to moisture contents of the 40‐inch depth for all but the litter‐only plots. Drying rates decreased with increasing profile depth. As compared with undisturbed forest soil at field capacity, litter removal increased soil drying rates about 10%; tree removal decreased them about two‐thirds. Removal of both trees and litter decreased soil drying rates about one‐third.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
