Item

A study of the infiltration properties of a steepland yellow-brown earth under diverse conditions of vegetation at Porters Pass, Canterbury: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science with Honours in the University of Canterbury

Gillingham, Allan Gilbert
Date
1964
Type
Thesis
Fields of Research
ANZSRC::4106 Soil sciences , ANZSRC::410601 Land capability and soil productivity
Abstract
The degree of soil erosion in the tussock grasslands of the South Island is closely related to the condition and rate of depletion of the vegetation. The majority of research into the conservation problems of this area has been directed toward ways of increasing and maintaining the best possible protective soil cover and in studying those factors responsible for its deterioration. Cumberland (1944) suggests that perhaps the most significant of the forms of accelerated erosion in the high country resulting from the partial destruction of the vegetative cover are those due to the inception or speeding up of slow flowage types of mass movement as a result of increased freeze and thaw activity. Gibbs and Raeside et al. (1945) reported that although the degree and intensity of erosion varied considerably between soil types there was widespread gully erosion as well as a great deal of the more insidious but none the less effective removal of soil by sheet wash, frost and wind. The importance of adequate cover on these soils in preventing soil loss by the combined forces of wind and frost has been demonstrated by Gradwell (1960). On the other hand there are few quantitative data available regarding the effect of changes in density and type of vegetation on the amount of surface run-off as it affects soil loss. The object of this study was to compare the soil infiltration characteristics in three adjacent areas of contrasting vegetation types, resulting from different grazing treatment of what was originally an almost pure snowgrass (Chionochloa flavescens) community, in an endeavour to assess the potential hazard of each area to erosion by surface run-off.
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