IMPACTS OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON INFILTRATION AND SEDIMENT PRODUCTION OF 2 DESERT SOILS

Impacts of motorcycle and 4-wheel drive truck traffic on infiltration rate and sediment production were evaluated on two desert soils. Infiltration was similar for both soils; however, more sediment was produced from a surface with exposed mineral soil than from a gravel-mulched surface. Infiltration was 3 to 13 times greater on the coppice soil beneath shrubs than on interspace soil between shrubs, but sedimentation was 10 to 20 times greater on interspace soil. Infiltration was less and sediment yield was greater after soil was disturbed by vehicular traffic, and after reformation of the surface crust, particularly on interspace soil. -from Authors