Aeolian particulate matter as a function of soil surface texture and vegetative cover : Jornada Basin, New Mexico

TitleAeolian particulate matter as a function of soil surface texture and vegetative cover : Jornada Basin, New Mexico
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsHupy JP
Number of Pages70
Date Published2001
UniversityNew Mexico State University
CityLas Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis TypeM.S. Thesispp
Keywordsaeolian processes, crust type, aeolian processes, vegetation effects, aeolian processes, wind erosion, aeolian processes, wind-transported dust, crusty type, dissertation, rangelands, saltation, theses, thesis, vegetation cover, wind erosion
AbstractThis study determined the influence differing soil surface textures and vegetative covers haveon the magnitude of wind erosion in a semi-arid environment. The study was conducted fromMarch 2000 through late April 2000 on the Jornada Experimental Range approximately 37kmnorth of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) samplers placed at ninelocations, collected particulates in suspension and saltation at heights of 5, 10, 20, 50, and100 cm from the following surfaces: loose sand, thick silty physical crust, flaky physical crust,weak desert pavement, and a forb/grass ground cover. BSNE samplers collected the largestamounts of sediment were collected in areas of loose sand and at sites directly downwind fromloose sand than sites containing heavy crusting, gravel, or a forb/grass cover. Differencesbetween sites with gravel surfaces and those with forb/grass cover were insignificant. Theseresults quantify the importance of surface cover as an agent towards reducing the extent ofwind erosion on semi-arid landscapes. [excerpted from published work in JAE, Hupy (2004)]© 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.