Hillslope erosion rates in the oak savannas of the southwestern borderlands region

Abstract

Hillslope soil erosion on watershed landscapes can lower the productivity of upland sites and adversely impact water quality and downstream (off-site) areas. It is not surprising, therefore, that excessive soil erosion and the consequent sedimentation can represent significant costs to the land and people that are affected. The first known estimates of hillslope soil erosion rates on a watershed-basis in the oak savannas of the southwestern borderland region of the United States have been obtained on the Cascabel Watersheds. Initial estimates of soil erosion rates following the monsoon season of 2004 were reported by Ffolliott et al. (2005) and more complete annual estimates are presented in this paper. Comparable measurements will be made following prescribed burning treatments on the watersheds (Gottfried and Edminster 2005) to evaluate the impact of prescribed fire on hillslope soil erosion rates.

Citation

Kauffman, Aaron T.; Stropki, Cody L.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Gottfried, Gerald J.; Neary, Daniel G. 2007. Hillslope erosion rates in the oak savannas of the southwestern borderlands region. Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest. 37: 15-18.