Snow accumulation and melt under various densities of Ponderosa pine in Arizona.

Abstract

Snow accumulation and melt patterns under several densities of ponderosa pine were analyzed using three statistical methods. Through the use of multiple linear regression, three prediction equations were developed. The most successful of the three equations predicted the melt rate of the snowpack using basal area and melt degree days as major variables. Path coefficient analysis was used to determine the relative importance of particular variables on snowmelt. Duncan's New Multiple Range test compared means of snowpack water equivalent in several stand densities during the melt phase. It was concluded that different ponderosa pine stocking levels did not influence snow accumulation. However, snow did melt more rapidly in stands of low density than in stands of high density.