SOIL TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE REGIME RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN SOME RANGELANDS OF THE GREAT BASIN

Abstract

Soil temperature and moisture data were collected between 1983 and 1986 on 35 rangeland sites of the Humboldt National Forest in northeastern Nevada. Sites were grouped into northern and southern slope aspect classes for linear regression analyses of elevation with soil temperature. Predictive equations developed show that mesic soils extend up to 1591 m on northern aspects and up to 2024 m on southern aspects. Cryic soils are found 81 m and 43 m above these points, respectively. Frigid soils are not extensive. Aridic soil moisture regimes dominate most of the rangeland sites studied. The average number of days when soil temperature and moisture are not limiting to plant growth ranges from 28 to 32 days on Artemisia arbuscula sites, 50 to 56 days on A. tridentata spp. vaseyana sites, 45 to 70 days on mixed mountain brush sites, and 130 days on a wet meadow site. The limited growing period is of critical importance to the management of such lands.