GEOG M107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Shortgrass Prairie, Mulch, Soil Survey
Document Summary
Erosion rates normally low on well managed pasture-, range-, and forestland. Reduces water erosion: intercepts drops reducing erosion from rain, plants. Reduce velocity of surface flow, greater infiltration. Reduces wind erosion: roots anchoring soil, decreasing wind velocity. Om over time gets buried into soil and creates good soil. A way we can sequester (trap and store) carbon. When plants decompose, they respire carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Long-lived plants (sequoia trees) can take in a lot of carbon. Intensively managed grazing area in humid climate or irrigated areas in arid/semiarid climates. Vegetation: forage, native or improved grasses, legumes (seed pods) Legumes: create nitrogen readily available for plant use good to plant in areas that don"t have much nutrients. Unplowed areas used for forage; may be fertilized and reseeded, but seldom or never plowed. Area with growing trees or soil capable of growing trees. Tree: supported by single stem, mature height >15 ft, crown.
