Runoff and erosion from native and reclaimed sites: Large versus small plots

Conference · Mon Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:56919

Wood, M K; Buchanan, B A ^[1]; Estrada, O J ^[2]

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1. New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM (United States)
2. BHP - Utah International Inc., Fruitland, NM (United States)

Runoff and erosion were compared using rainfall simulators on small (1 m{sup 2}) and large (3 x 10.67 m) runoff plots. Four small and two large plots were located on each of eight sites. These included two native sites dominated by bunchgrasses and shrubs on sandy dunes, two nearly barren badlands, two 10 year-old reclaimed sites treated with topdressing and dominated by bunchgrasses and shrubs, and two first year reclaimed sites treated with topdressing and dominated by annual forbs and wheat. Rainfall was more uniform and more easily controlled on small plots than large plots. Many small plots (at least eight) could be rained on each day by using wind screens while large plots required calm winds during simulated rainfall which was delayed for many days on numerous occasions. Results from small plots were as accurate and more precise than from large plots on native and reclaimed sites where slope lengths were truncated by shrubs and bunchgrasses. Runoff and erosion from small plots could be measured quickly and cheaply for evaluating reclamation success.

• OSTI ID: 56919
• Report Number(s): CONF-9003298--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL MINES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EROSION
EVALUATION
LAND RECLAMATION
REVEGETATION
RUNOFF