Effects of revegetation on surficial soil salinity in panspot soils

Abstract

Panspots and transition zone panspots (slickspots) from a Leptic/Typic Natriboroll soil complex in western North Dakota were compared to determine the effects of secondary plant succession upon soil properties. Herbage and rooting characteristics were evaluated among panspot, transition zone, and adjacent well-vegetated Belfield soils using point frame data and a modified dry ashing technique. The effects of vegetation upon soil electrical conductivity (EC) were tested using gradient transects aligned perpendicular to boundaries between panspots and transition zones. Transition zones had 40% more total forage and twice the litter found in panspot areas. Thirteen of 17 gradient transects showed an inverse relationship between soil EC and distance into transition zones at the 0 to 5 cm depth. Significantly higher root-mass was obtained in the 0 to 5 cm depth in transition zones compared to panspots. A conceptual model based on subsurface water flow is presented to explain the polygonal cracking that was observed only in transition zone surfaces initiating a series of interactions resulting in natural reclamation of the transition zone soil.