Hydrologic Processes In The Pinyon Juniper Woodlands

Hydrologic processes in the pinyon-juniper woodlands of the western region of the United States are variable because of the inherent interactions among the occurring precipitation regimes, geomorphological settings, and edaphic conditions that characterize the ecosystem. A wide range of past and present land-use practices further complicates comprehensive evaluations of these hydrologic processes. Heterogeneous vegetative covers make it even more difficult to generalize hydrologic processes and the effects of land management practices on the water balance. Nevertheless, estimates of interception, infiltration, evapotranspiration, soil moisture storage, and hillslope soil erosion of these on-site hydrologic processes have been obtained in plot studies. Estimates of off-site streamflow volumes, sediment yields and transport, and quality of streamflow water are available from the results of watershed-level investigations. Estimates of these respective hydrologic processes are presented in this general technical report.