Project Number: 6235-11210-005-19
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Apr 14, 2003
End Date: Jul 01, 2007

Objective:
Understanding the impacts of soil surface disturbances will provide natural resources managers information on the resistance and resilience of desert ecosystems to anthropogenic activities. In Phase III of this project, we will address the following objectives: a. Complete assessment of long-term impact of one-time disturbances associated with training activities on different soil types. b. Complete assessment of long-term impact of repeated disturbances associated with training activities on different soil types. c. Determine whether or not soil moisture (dry vs. rainy season) is a sufficiently important variable to be considered in scheduling training activities and budgeting for restoration in arid landscapes. d. Complete development of a decision tool to support planning for sustainable military training based on the results of Phase I-III, together with related studies recently completed by the USDA-ARS, USGS and others.

Approach:
Ground troop, military vehicle and hooved animal disturbance plots and control plots were established in 1997 on 3 soil types. A randomized complete block design with six replications was applied at each of the three sites. The treatments were reapplied to 1/2 of each plot in 2000. We will complete a final set of measurements on both single- and repeated-disturbance plots. We will also use rainfall simulation to compare the effects of wheeled vehicle traffic on dry vs. wet soils and will complete development of a simple decision support tool based on project results, relevant literature and other current Jornada research.

Project Team

Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)