Panspots and transition zone panspots (slickspots) from a Leptic/Typic Natriboroll soil complex in western North Dakota were compared to determine the effects of secondary plant succession upon soil properties. Herbage and rooting characteristics were evaluated among panspot, transition zone, and adjacent well-vegetated Belfield soils using point frame data and a modified dry ashing technique. The effects of vegetation upon soil electrical conductivity (EC) were tested using gradient transects aligned perpendicular to boundaries between panspots and transition zones. Transition zones had 40% more total forage and twice the litter found in panspot areas. Thirteen of 17 gradient transects showed an inverse relationship between soil EC and distance into transition zones at the 0 to 5 cm depth. Significantly higher root-mass was obtained in the 0 to 5 cm depth in transition zones compared to panspots. A conceptual model based on subsurface water flow is presented to explain the polygonal cracking that was observed only in transition zone surfaces initiating a series of interactions resulting in natural reclamation of the transition zone soil. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.