Year: 1974
Type: book
Abstract: Removing mixed conifer forest vegetation has increased water yields approximately in proportion to the percent of the area in cleared openings.Most of the yield increase can be accounted for by the reduction in evapotranspiration.Reduced soil-moisture deficit and increased snow accumulation and melt rates in the cut openings contribute to these increases.When fitted to the timber-stand struc- ture, patchcutting is (1) compatible with recommended mixed conifer silviculture, (2) beneficial to wildlife, and (3) esthetically pleasing.Although mixed conifer areas make up only 0.4 percent of the total land area of Arizona, they contribute 6 percent of the State's water yield.Intensive management of these forest lands could increase annual streamflow 36,500 acre-feet per year-roughly 12 billion gallons of water per year.
Authors: Lowell R. Rich, J. R. Thompson
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W2505044641