ecohydrology

Does tree removal influence soil water storage and stream flows?

Soil water storage: During the spring, Utah junipers (Juniperus osteosperma) and western junipers (J. occidentalis) rapidly used soil water in the upper soil zone (<0.9 m [3 ft] deep) where soil nutrient concentrations are highest and most important for the majority of herbaceous species. In areas where trees have been removed, the growing season of…