Interrelations of the Physical Properties of Coppice Dune and Vesicular Dune Interspace Soils with Grass Seedling Emergence

Abstract

Vesicular soil surface horizons are found throughout the arid and semiarid areas of the world associated with sparse vegetation. In the Great Basin this horizon occurs in the surface 5 or 8 cm of dune interspace soil. Vesicular horizons are characterized by a high silt content, low organic matter, poor aggregation, and low infiltration rates. Our intent was to study the influence of organic matter removal on vesicular development and to determine the effect of a vesicular horizon on seedling emergence. Removal of organic matter from coppice dune soil resulted in a poorly aggregated vesicular soil with properties similar to those of the untreated interspace soil. Crested wheatgrass and squirreltail seedling emergence was poor and seedling stress was high in vesicular dune interspace soil.