The Influence Of Vegetation On The Soil Moisture Profile In Two Sub-Alpine Ecosystems Of The Southwestern United States
Jacobson, Phillip 1 ; Small, Eric E 2
1 University of Colorado, Geological Sciences
2 University of Colorado, Geological Sciences
My research focuses on trends in water content and water potential of different soil depths in a ponderosa pine and an Engelmann spruce forest of the Rio Grande Watershed in the southwestern United States. Depth arrays under different vegetation canopy cover types are compared to look at distribution of soil moisture as a result of proximity to the forest canopy. Further, we are interested in comparing soil moisture conditions to transpiration (sap flow) trends in the trees. The purpose in this research is to be able to more accurately model essential components of the water budget. Our field sites are located in the Valles Caldera National Preserve in Northern New Mexico.