This package contains data from a study that measured long-term soil movement in areas undergoing mesquite invasion on the Jornada Experimental Range from 1933-2011. Data consists of height measurements of soil on two set transects (NatReveg, 1933; Pasture8B, 1935). In 1933, about half of the NatReveg site exclosure was covered with mesquite dunes. Grasses dominated the nonduned portion, but mesquite plants were present. Approximately one-third of the NatReveg site exclosure was sprayed with 2,4,5-T for mesquite control in 1966-68. Further plot treatments were superposed upon the sprayed portion in 1969-72. The Pasture 8B site exclosure was established on an area where mesquite dunes were large and well established. The predominant soils in this exclosure are deep, loamy sands. Soil movement at these transects was measured by the distance between the soil surface and a notch in 50 cm t-posts located every 15.2 m (50 ft) The 1731-m Natural Revegetation Exclosure transect runs north-south through the center of the exclosure and extends 61 m (200ft) beyond the boundary fence on either end. It is located in primarily deep, loamy sand soils. The 457-m Pasture 8b transect is oriented WSW-ENE, and is located in shallower soils. These transects were measured in 1950 (8b only), 1955 (8b only), every five years from 1980-2000, and most recently in 2011. Most steel posts were re-measured at these intervals, but some were lost due to excavation or burial. These were for the most part replaced, with a new baseline notch height initiated on the posts. Data correspond to each year of collection, as well as measures of soil deposition or deflation during the intervals. This study was complete in 2011.
For further information, see:
Gibbens, R.P., J.M. Tromble, J.T. Hennessy, and M. Cardenas, 1983. Soil movement in mesquite dunelands and former grasslands of southern New Mexico from 1933 to 1980. Journal of Range Management 36:145-148