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Rainfall, evapotranspiration, total soil-water potential, and soil-water content at a sagebrush site and a replacement-vegetation site near Fort Defiance, Arizona, 1989-91

Open-File Report 94-43
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr9443

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Abstract

The Navajo Nation Forestry Department established a growth of four species of native grasses and two species of native shrubs on formerly sagebrush- covered land about 6 miles north of Fort Defiance, Arizona. The native grasses and shrubs grew under conditions of natural precipitation and soil fertility. This provided alternate grazing areas for tribal livestock. Tribal livestock previously had been grazed on timber-producing land, killing seedlings planted for reforestation. Rainfall, evapotranspiration, total soil-water potential, and soil-water content at a sagebrush site and a site planted with grasses and shrubs north Fort Defiance, Arizona were monitored to document hydrologic conditions during the experiment. Daily rainfall during the April through November 1989- 91 data-collection period ranged from 0 to 1.21 inches (0 to 30.7 millimeters). Evapotranspiration during the data-collection period generally ranged from about 0.5 to 2 millimeters per day (0.02 to 0.08 inch per day), increasing to 2 to 5 millimeters per day (0.08 to 0.20 inch per day) after rainfall. The total soil-water content ranged from 5.7 to 65.9 percent. Soils were wetter during the April data-collection period than during the November data-collection periods.

Suggested Citation

Thomas, C.L., 1994, Rainfall, evapotranspiration, total soil-water potential, and soil-water content at a sagebrush site and a replacement-vegetation site near Fort Defiance, Arizona, 1989-91: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 94-43, iv, 29 p. :ill., map ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr9443.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Rainfall, evapotranspiration, total soil-water potential, and soil-water content at a sagebrush site and a replacement-vegetation site near Fort Defiance, Arizona, 1989-91
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 94-43
DOI 10.3133/ofr9443
Year Published 1994
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey ; U.S.G.S. Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor],
Description iv, 29 p. :ill., map ;28 cm.
Additional publication details