Get reliable rangeland science

Water availability and water quality have long been an area of concern for land managers in arid and semi-arid rangelands.� The RHEM (Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model) was developed by USDA ARS as a science-based tool for land managers to predict runoff and erosion on rangelands.� RHEM was developed from rainfall simulation experiments out of no less than 20 sites throughout the west.� RHEM has proved to be a robust model on non-saline rangelands; however, rainfall simulation experiments presently conducted in the Upper Colorado River Basin are now being used to address concerns about salt and sediment transport on saline rangelands.� We will present some of the research used to collect data for characterizing runoff and erosion processes and salt and sediment transport.� Current research conducted by ARS Reno has yielded results that are being used to continuously refine RHEM and adapt it for use on saline soils.� This ongoing research in addition to the formation of the ARES (Agricultural Runoff, Erosion, and Salinity) database will serve as a growing repository of rainfall simulation data for researchers and managers to explore archived data from past and present experiments.� The data populating the ARES database are from a variety of different researchers from many different geographic locations spanning more than 30 years.� These data will continuously improve the ability of scientists to refine the tools allowing managers to integrate water availability and water quality concerns with other conservation efforts.� All of these critical components are part of a collaborative approach to improve the collective knowledge of rangeland hydrology research informing land management goals.