Steens Hydrology PowerPoint Presentation
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Transcript Steens Hydrology PowerPoint Presentation
Impact of Western Juniper on
Hillslope Hydrology:
Steens Mountain, OR
Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center
Burns, OR
Northwest Watershed Research Center
Boise, Idaho
Background
• 8.5 million acres in western juniper woodland
• 95% of the woodlands are 100 years old or
less
• Juniper invasion results in
Significant reductions in shrub/understory
production and cover
Reduced plant diversity
Loss of wildlife habitat
Increased erosion potential
Project Info
Rainfall simulation plots were run on eight
replicates of cut and uncut treatments.
Vegetation Response
Cut plot
Un-cut plot
Trough Water
Cut plot
Un-cut plot
Removing Juniper increases infiltration and
decreases overland flow
Removing Juniper decreases runoff volume
Removing Juniper reduces sheet erosion
Removing Juniper decreases rilling
Junipers increase runoff and erosion
Conclusion
• Juniper invasion can result in a dramatic
increase in runoff and erosion. The severity
of erosion will likely be related to the loss of
understory cover and the erosion potential of
a site.
Questions?
For more information contact:
Jon Bates or Tony Svejcar
(541) 573-8900
or
Fred Pierson
(208) 422-0700.