Dynamic landforms and plant communities in a pluvial lake basin

Authors

James A. Young, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Reno, Nevada
Raymond A. Evans, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Reno, Nevada
Bruce A. Roundy, University of Arizona, Tucson
John A. Brown, University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract

Mapping units were developed based on landform, soils, and plant communities for the 40,000 ha of salt desert vegetation located below the maximum level of pluvial Lake Gilbert in Grass Valley, Nevada. Lake plain, beach, and bar features of the pluvial lake provide the dominant landforms. Fine textured lake sediments have produced salt- and Na-affected soils. The distribution and structure of plant communities are related to depth of the groundwater table, fluctuations in this depth, and the salt content of the groundwater. Wind and water erosion combine to continually evolve new environments for colonization by plants in this ecosystem.

Recommended Citation

Young, James A.; Evans, Raymond A.; Roundy, Bruce A.; and Brown, John A. (1986) "Dynamic landforms and plant communities in a pluvial lake basin," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 46: No. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol46/iss1/1