Some Water Movement Patterns Over and Through Pinyon-Juniper Litter

Abstract

Fluorescent dye patterns depicting water movement over and through pinyon-juniper litter accumulations varied somewhat according to canopy density of the trees. Where the canopy was closed, or nearly so, the dye was confined to the surface 1 inch of litter, with no lateral movement indicated. Where the tree canopy was broken or open, dye was found to a maximum of 6 inches beneath the litter and lateral downhill movement of at least 25 inches was indicated on the litter surface. Where dye had penetrated the litter, both a streaked and a uniform (even wetting front) pattern of water movement were observed.