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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » SWRC » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #158950
Title: HISTORY OF SMALL WATERSHEDS RESEARCH IN NON-FORESTED WATERSHEDS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO 1558

Author
item RENARD, K. - RETIRED ARS
item Nichols, Mary

Submitted to: First Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2003
Publication Date: 9/1/2003
Citation: Proc, 1st Interagency Conf. on Research in the Watersheds, Oct. 27-30, 2003, Benson, AZ., pp.296-301.

Interpretive Summary: Small watershed research to support land use and conservation technology on non-forested areas in Arizona and New Mexico has a long history with many reasons for failure. The programs originated from need for solutions to land degradation in arid and semiarid areas of the southwestern United States. Speculation was that degradation resulting from intense grazing of delicate vegetation and that other land uses led to excessive erosion and loss of soil resources. Efforts began in the early 1930s to establish experimental programs on watersheds to understand hydrologic and erosion phenomenon. Technical and administrative factors leading to research termination are discussed with emphasis on the importance of long-term programs to ensure conservation of semi-arid lands.

Technical Abstract: Small watershed research to support land use and conservation technology on non-forested areas in Arizona and New Mexico has a long history with many reasons for failure. The programs originated from need for solutions to land degradation in arid and semiarid areas of the southwestern United States. Speculation was that degradation resulting from intense grazing of delicate vegetation and that other land uses led to excessive erosion and loss of soil resources. Efforts began in the early 1930s to establish experimental programs on watersheds to understand hydrologic and erosion phenomenon. Technical and administrative factors leading to research termination are discussed with emphasis on the importance of long-term programs to ensure conservation of semi-arid lands.