Effect of Burning on Infiltration, Sediment, and Other Soil Properties in a Mesquite-Tobosagrass Community

Burning had a minimal effect on rainfall infiltration and sediment load in runoff from a mesquite-tobosagrass community on slopes less than 1%. Most soil physical properties that affect infiltration on these heavy clay soils were not altered significantly by burning. Potential soil loss in runoff can be minimized by burning under relatively moist conditions. Larger soil aggregates were broken down by burning and had not returned to equilibrium on 5-year-old burns. Trends in levels of soil organic carbon, salinity, sodium, and potassium following burning varied with degree of soil cracking, which is a function of soil moisture.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202