C. PLANT, SOIL AND WATER INTERACTIONS

This project will assess likely responses by soils and vegetation to changes in water application and use. Information on the impacts of changes in water table and stream elevation on soil physical and chemical properties, including wind erosion, nutrient cycling and salt accumulation, will aid managers in the preservation of air and water quality adjacent to and within the river and lake itself.

Researchers:

From UNR: Wally Miller (PI), Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES); Jerry Qualls (Co-PI), NRES; Peter Weisberg (Co-PI), NRES
From DRI: Paul Verburg (Co-PI), Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences (DEES); Todd Caldwell (Co-PI), DEES

Updates:

January 2008:

No new developments to report this month.

February 2008:

See attached PowerPoint presentations for the Nevada Water Resources Association, March 4-6, 2008 in Mesquite, Nev. This presentation consists of a Project 4 and 5 summary for Walker Basin Panel discussion by W.W. Miller. View "Agriculture, Restoration, and Plant/Soil/Water Interactions" · View "Walker Trial Plants and Plots"

March 2008:

Watch for spring plantings in April to early May. We will seed the alfalfa control in the next couple of weeks. The warm season species will be seeded about mid-May depending on soil temperatures.

April 2008:

Watch for irrigation and spring plantings in April to early May.

May 2008:

Working closely with Alternative Ag. project (B, above): plants are in the ground and growing; dust and soil moisture samples are being collected.

June 2008:

Project update information was prepared for presentation at the upcoming stakeholder’s meeting in July. Analysis of baseline data for soil characterization is almost complete. We added weed barriers to the dust collectors and adjusted their height and location to avoid interference from the irrigation system.

July 2008:

The principal investigator for this project, Wally Miller, a professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science at the University, gave a presentation on the project at the stakeholder’s meeting in Yerington on July 14. Project team members also participated in the field tour for Doug Busselman of the Nevada Farm Bureau.

August 2008:

There are no updates this month.

September 2008:

Accomplishments to date for this project include:

Baseline soil sampling and testing (bulk density & infiltration) are completed.
Analysis of baseline control plot soil sample nutrient content for agricultural sites is nearly complete.
First season of dust collection is drawing to a close.
First season of irrigated soil moisture testing is completed.
One season of fluxes of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂0 on agricultural soils has been measured for four vegetation types.
Incubated agricultural site soil samples have been used to calculate nitrification rates at various soil moisture levels.
One season of soil temperature monitoring in conjunction with irrigated soil moisture is completed.
In-Situ rubidium and strontium tracer tests have been conducted at riparian site to determine depth of root uptake for rye and tall whitetop.
Slug tests have been performed and hydraulic gradient has been mapped at riparian site.
Push-pull tests have been run and groundwater has been tested for nitrate, bromide, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and N₂ & N₂O gases at riparian site.
Riparian site soils have been tested for combustible carbon.

October 2008:

Harvesting has been completed, and the fields have been cleared for winter. First year field data are being collated, processed and analyzed.

November 2008:

Collection of field samples for soil moisture and airborne dust continue. Compilation and evaluation of airborne dust samples have begun, and pH analysis of baseline soil samples has been completed.

Coming up