A time-space technique to analyze snowpacks in and adjacent to openings in the forest.

Abstract

A general technique was developed to enable the land manager to predict the "net" effect of an opening on the snowpack in and adjacent to that opening at any given location at any point in time. The technique was illustrated by collecting data at seven study sites located in the ponderosa pine type of Arizona on 10 measurement dates. Multiple regression analyses utilizing these data produced several significant equations (at the a = .01 level) for predicting the "net" effect of an opening in the ponderosa pine type of Arizona. In addition, the significant equations yielded site information, within the range of conditions studied, which could be utilized to maximize or minimize the "net" effect of openings, depending upon the desired land management objectives. Knowledge of these site variables could aid the land manager in decisions concerning the location and size of proposed timber cuts in situations where water yield from snowpacks is an important consideration.