Effects of Grazing and Sagebrush Control on Potential Erosion

Abstract

Canopy and ground cover data from 1972 through 1978 were used in the Universal Soil Loss Equation to compute potential soil loss on grazed and ungrazed areas subjected to brush treatment and no treatment at nine sites on the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in Southwest Idaho. Results showed the computed soil loss differences between grazed and ungrazed areas were not significant (P>.05) on five sites, were significant (P<.05) on two sites, and were highly significant (P<.01) on two sites. Soil loss differences between sagebrush and eradication treatments and untreated areas were not significant (P>.05) on four sprayed areas, but were highly significant (P<.01) on two areas where brush was cut and removed. Sediment delivery ratios, based on measured watershed sediment yield and computed soil loss, ranged from 0.15 to 0.47.