HR: 0800h
AN: H41D-0444    [Abstracts]
TI: Variation Of Soil Moisture Patterns In Response To Anthropogenic Land Disturbances In A Semiarid Regional Landscape
AU: * Camarena, C
EM: ccamarena@even.tamuk.edu
AU: Ren, J
EM: jren@even.tamuk.edu
AU: Jones, K
EM: kjones@even.tamuk.edu
AU: Hempel, A
EM: kfahoo1@tamuk.edu
AB: This project focuses on examination of the effects of various land management practices on soil moisture for semiarid regional landscapes. The project is at the Wellhausen Ranch Research Station located near Laredo, TX. This ranch has undergone various land disturbances such as root plowing and cattle overgrazing that have caused damage to the vegetation and natural communities. Two research sites were chosen within the ranch, one disturbed by root plowing and one undisturbed, to represent various land use environment. Soil moisture analysis was performed, using the WatchDog Irrigation System, to identify the effects of temperature, vegetation, diurnal, and seasonal effect on the soil moisture patterns. In addition, three soil moisture probes were placed on the same location at three different depths, 3, 5, and 8 inches, below the surface, to evaluate the soil moisture profile in vertical direction. Statistical analysis such as ANOVA, Friedman's test, and the sign test was conducted and the results suggested that soil moisture is influenced by land disturbances significantly in a semiarid regional landscape.
DE: 1803 Anthropogenic effects (4802, 4902)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005