Penetrometer soil strength and the depth of packstock hoofprints were studied in two subalpine meadows in an attempt to develop a method for determining the seasonal readiness of wilderness meadows for packstock grazing at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California. Soil and vegetation parameters (bulk density, water content, percent gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic matter, above-ground biomass, and below-ground biomass in two diameter size classes) were also studied in order to understand their influence on soil strength and hoofprint depth. Of the four penetrometer tip sizes tested on a Lang penetrometer, a 9/16" diameter tip was found to be a good predictor of hoofprint depth. Both 9/16" soil strength and hoofprint depth were well predicted by soil water content and meadow vegetation type.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/278574 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Neuman, Michael John, 1964- |
| Contributors | McClaran, Mitchel P. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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