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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #310640
Title: Use of RHEM to assess runoff and erosion following disturbance on rangelands

Author
item AL-HAMDAN, OSAMA - University Of Idaho
item Pierson Jr, Frederick
item Nearing, Mark
item Williams, Christopher - Jason
item HERNANDEZ, MARIANO - University Of Arizona
item SPAETH, KENNETH - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item BOLL, JAN - University Of Idaho
item Weltz, Mark

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2014
Publication Date: 2/1/2015
Citation: Al-Hamdan, O.Z., Pierson Jr, F.B., Nearing, M.A., Williams, C.J., Hernandez, M., Spaeth, K.E., Boll, J., Weltz, M.A. 2015. Use of RHEM to assess runoff and erosion following disturbance on rangelands [abstract]. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Landscape disturbance such as fire or woody plant encroachment on rangelands can have major impacts on the hydrological and erosion responses. As canopy and ground cover are reduced, soil sediments become available and can be detached by rain splash and overland flow. Disturbance can also increase the formation of concentrated flow paths that accelerate runoff velocity and the ability of water to transport rain splash and overland flow sediments downslope. These disturbance-related processes are represented in the Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model(RHEM) using readily available vegetation and soils data. RHEM can be used to assess erosion risk following disturbance and can be used to evaluate and predict the rate of hydrologic recovery following disturbance. RHEM can also be used for quantifying environmental impacts of disturbance associated with alternative conservation practices and can be integrated with Ecological Site Concepts to inform and evaluate overall management objectives.