Laserfiche WebLink
Soil moisture data showed few differences between aspects <br /> and slopes under the same mulch treatments. It was expected <br />• that north aspect plots would show higher moisture than south <br /> plots, a result obtained in 1978. It is hypothesized that <br /> plants consumed a significant amount of available soil mois- <br /> ture oa north aspect plots where maximum production and <br /> density were recorded. This would explain the relatively <br /> similar soil moisture levels between north and south aspects. <br /> In nearly all cases, soil moisture declined from approximately <br /> 20,'6 in early May to below 5% by bhe end of 3uae. 'As a con- <br /> sequence, the growing season for revegetation species was <br /> estimated to be only 3'~ months during 1979. Mulches showed <br /> little or no effect on retarding soil moisture loss over time. <br /> Perhaps the most significant conclusion drawn from the <br /> 1979 results is the very large influence of slope aspect on <br /> plant growth. Maximum production and density were recorded on <br /> north aspects, regardless of slope angle. <br /> 5. At the end of the second year, it appears that 2:1 north <br /> aspect slopes can be revegetated to nearly the same ea~ent as <br /> 4:1 north aspect slopes, assuming that a xeric mixture is <br /> used. It also appears that a 2:1 south-facing slope can be <br /> adequately revegetated, assuming that the xeric mixture and <br /> hydromulch are used together. <br /> <br />46 <br />