Lithosequence of soils and associated vegetation on subalpine range of the Wasatch Plateau, Utah

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Abstract:

Phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) in soil and parent material are important in the accumulation of nitrogen (N) and organic carbon (Corg) in soils. In an observational study, the role of P and S in soil development was explored on a small knoll in the Wasatch subalpine summer range of central Utah that had been severely eroded during uncontrolled grazing in the late 1800s. Vegetation, litter, soil, and parent material were sampled along a transect across six strata forming highly visible narrow, concentric rings around the knoll. Even-numbered strata were characterized by large amounts of surface rock and sparse vegetative cover. Odd-numbered strata had less surface rock and visibly greater vegetative cover. Data for vegetation, litter, and soil surface properties displayed highly consistent peak and valley patterns for odd- and even-numbered strata with significant differences for 9 of 10 of these properties between the two strata groups. Organic C, potassium (K), and S of the parent material, and available N (Nav), P (Pav), and S (Sav) and exchangeable K (Kex) of the 0- to 15-cm soil layer also displayed peak and valley patterns. Multiple regression of herbage yield on Corg and S of soil parent material, and Pav and (Kex) of the solum gave high R2s of 0.94 and 0.93. Multiple regression of grass yield on Corg and Kex of the 0- to 15-cm soil layer had R2 = 0.95. Based on results, the hypothesis that P of the parent material has influenced soil and plant development of these strata was rejected. The data subtly suggest that sulfur may play a key role in the development of these soil-plant systems. Stipa lettermanii Vasey and Cymopterus lemmonii Welch were strongly, but oppositely, correlated with most attributes studied, thereby suggesting these species may play important indicator roles of soil-vegetation development.

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Reference Code: U98KLE01IDUS

Full Citation: Kelmmedson, J. O. and A. R. Tiedemann. 1998. Lithosequence of soils and associated vegetation on subalpine range of the Wasatch Plateau, Utah. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. Research Note PNW-RN-524. 16 pp.

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Keywords: Cymopterus lemmonii, erosion, overgrazing, parent material, pattern, phosphorus, productivity, soil nutrients, Stipa lettermanii, sulfur