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<br /> <br />• ~ Richards (1954) states that "measurements on soils indicate that over a <br />, considerable textural reage the saturation percentage (SP) is approximately <br />equal to four times the 15 atmosphere percentage (FAP), which, in turn, <br />closely approximates the wilting percentage." IIsing this general relation- <br />ship, it is estimated that the wilting point for these materials is 6 to <br />8Z moisture. The large number of soil moisture readings below SZ recorded <br />during the 1978 summer suggests that plant seedlings were suffering <br />severe moisture stress throughout this period. <br />On October 28, soil moisture levels rose to between 12 and 15Z at <br />the S and 15 cm depths oa nearly all treatments, reflecting as increase <br />is precipitation during this month. On both the 2:1 north- and south- <br />facing slopes, soil moisture had risen to 15Z at the 15 ® depth on both <br />the excelsior and hydromulch treatments. Leas moisture was recorded at <br />15 cm for both controls, suggesting that evaporative losses or runoff <br />may have reduced the amount of water available to infiltrate deeper into <br />the soil profile. The soil moisture percentage rose to 13Z oa the vest- <br />"- facing 2:1 excelsior mulched treatment at the 25 ® depth. The hydromulch <br />treatment on the same slope and aspect showed a comparable soil moisture <br />level only at the surface. <br />A major anomaly vas noted in the top, refuse, ezcelsior mulch plot <br />(LBEMR). This plot showed relatively high (12-15Z) soil moisture at <br />various depths throughout the hottest part of the summer. This patters <br />vas not repeated on the other top plot, or on any other treatment. <br />Possible explanations for this anomaly are trapped eater is the vicinity <br />of the soil block, or umisual refuse chemical characteristics, aueh as <br />locally high salt concentration, which may have caused anomalous readings. <br /> <br />-- 21 <br />