Runoff Inducement in an Arid Region by Removal of Vegetation

Abstract

Abstract Eradication of natural vegetation from runoff plots in a 250‐mm isohet region increased annual runoff threefold from 7% to 21% of annual rainfall. The vegetation cover increased the infiltration rates of the loess soil by 40–50%. A “priming” rainfall of 2–4 mm/day was required to cause runoff from both bare and vegetation areas. Interception storage of vegetation was 0.1–0.4 mm.