Soil erosion studies in buffelgrass pastures

Abstract

The introduction of exotic grasses in native rangelands to increase the production of forage has been a good alternative for the cattle industry in North America. Different studies have demonstrated that buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), a plant introduced from Africa, increases the annual green forage production approximately three times in comparison to production in areas with native species in rangelands of Sonora, Mexico. However, soil erosion processes caused by natural circumstances and/or natural resources mismanagement can decrease productivity of buffelgrass pastures. Soil erosion rates for buffelgrass pastures in central Sonora, Mexico, were estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). Pastures differed in geographical location, environmental conditions and type of management. It was demonstrated that in buffelgrass pastures, soil loss caused by hydrologic factors is positively correlated with plant density, soil surface micro-relief, and erosion features. It correlates negatively with soil crust development and pasture management index. Stepwise regression analyses make evident the effect that soil surface erosion features, pasture management practices, and density of buffelgrass plants have on the soil loss rates of these grazing lands.

Parent Publication

• Land Stewardship in the 21st Century: The Contributions of Watershed Management; 2000 March 13-16; Tucson, AZ

Citation

Valdez-Zamudio, Diego; Guertin, D. Phillip. 2000. Soil erosion studies in buffelgrass pastures. In: Ffolliott, Peter F.; Baker Jr., Malchus B.; Edminster, Carleton B.; Dillon, Madelyn C.; Mora, Karen L., tech. coords. Land Stewardship in the 21st Century: The Contributions of Watershed Management; 2000 March 13-16; Tucson, AZ. Proc. RMRS-P-13. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 282-286.