•  
  •  
 

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

cryptogamic crusts, water infiltration, evaporation, desert soil

College

Life Sciences

Department

Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of microbiotic (also called cryptogamic) crusts on soil surfaces on water infiltration and evaporative rates on a soil developed from fine textural lake sediments in Utah County, Utah. Twenty study plots (10 with cryptogamic cover and 10 without) are adjacent to the Camp Floyd Cemetery near Cedar Fort, Utah. They were established to evaluate the effect of cryptogamic cover on rates of water infiltration. Two aliquots of 150 ml of water were applied sequentially to each plot through standing water infiltration rings. The infiltration time of each aliquot was recorded. Immediately following disappearance of the second aliquot, soil samples were taken to determine percent soil moisture at field capacity. A standard T-test was used to compare water infiltration time on crusted versus uncrusted plots. Results of three trials show that water infiltration rates were significantly faster on crusted plots than uncrusted plots for all but one aliquot, Thus, water infiltration is more rapid on areas with cryptogamic crusts. The influence of microbiotic crusts on rates of evaporation were inconclusive in this study.

Download

Share

COinS