Soil Moisture Patterns on Two Chained Pinyon-Juniper Sites in Utah

Abstract

Highlight: Soil moisture patterns were studied under chaining-with-windrowing, chaining-with-debris-in-place, and natural woodland at one site each in both southwestern and southeastern Utah. Results of the study indicate the greatest moisture accumulation occurred under the debris-in-place treatment (as compared to woodland controls), during the first 6 months of each year at Milford and regardless of season at Blanding. The woodland had the least soil moisture throughout most of each year. Most moisture flux took place in the upper 60to 90-cm of soil profile, with only minor changes occurring at greater depths. Differences in soil moisture patterns have been attributed to changes in microclimates due to chaining, different rooting depths and length of growing season, mulching effect of litter on the debris-in-place treatment, and possible differences in snow accumulation. Variation in vegetation density on the chained treatments did not influence soil moisture patterns. There was no evidence of deep seepage on any chaining treatment at either site.