Seasonal Patterns of Soil Water Recharge and Extraction on Semidesert Ranges

Abstract

Soil water is recharged in the semidesert Southwest during the usual winter precipitation season, and again during the usual summer rainy season. The amount and depth of recharge varies widely depending primarily on the amount of precipitation, and secondarily on storm character, soil texture, vegetation cover, and evapotranspiration. Soil water depletion patterns and amounts differed among species, between plants and bare soil, and between seasons. Compared to evaporation from bare soil, plants extracted water much faster, but at more variable rates. Essentially all available soil water was used by plants or evaporated during most depletion periods.