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Canopy cover and phytomass comparisons of steep slopes planted to cheatgrass

Journal Article · · Northwest Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5248310

Steep north- and south-facing slopes on an artificially formed earth mound were seeded with cheatgrass in the autumn of 1971 and left unattended. In 1978, canopy cover and phytomass measurements were made on both slopes. The vegetative cover on the north-facing slope provided more canopy cover and more live phytomass than the south-facing slope. Live aboveground phytomass was measured at 830 g/m/sup 2/ on the north-facing slope and 163 g/m/sup 2/ on the south-facing slope. The large amount of primary production on the north-facing slope is attributed to temperature-water relationships rather than to soil nutrient differences because the mound was composed of the same homogeneous mix of soil of common origin.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
5248310
Journal Information:
Northwest Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Northwest Sci.; (United States) Vol. 55:1; ISSN NOSCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English