Publication Date
1997
Description
Herbage production, water-use efficiency (i.e. above-ground phytomass production per unit of evapotranspiration), surface runoff, deep percolation, soil loss and soil organic matter content were determined on rangeland in three different ecological conditions, viz. poor, moderate and good, for 20 years. Hydraulic non-floating lysimeters were used to determine evapotranspiration (Et), soil evaporation (E) and deep percolation. Runoff and soil loss were recorded on runoff plots. Above-ground phytomass production, water-use efficiency, deep percolation and soil organic matter content decreased (P<0.01) when plant cover was reduced or range and soil condition declined. The dense plant cover of veld in good condition provides a situation in which surface runoff and soil loss rates are lower (P<0.01) than that from veld in poor condition.
Citation
Snyman, H A., "The Influence of Range Condition on the Hydrological Characteristics in a Semi-arid Rangeland" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session23/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Influence of Range Condition on the Hydrological Characteristics in a Semi-arid Rangeland
Herbage production, water-use efficiency (i.e. above-ground phytomass production per unit of evapotranspiration), surface runoff, deep percolation, soil loss and soil organic matter content were determined on rangeland in three different ecological conditions, viz. poor, moderate and good, for 20 years. Hydraulic non-floating lysimeters were used to determine evapotranspiration (Et), soil evaporation (E) and deep percolation. Runoff and soil loss were recorded on runoff plots. Above-ground phytomass production, water-use efficiency, deep percolation and soil organic matter content decreased (P<0.01) when plant cover was reduced or range and soil condition declined. The dense plant cover of veld in good condition provides a situation in which surface runoff and soil loss rates are lower (P<0.01) than that from veld in poor condition.
