Soil-geomorphic significance of land surface characteristics in an arid mountain range, Mojave Desert, USA

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

HIRMAS, D.R.

Dep. of Geography, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, Etats-Unis

GRAHAM, R.C.

Soil and Water Sciences Program, Dep. of Environmental Sciences, Univ. of California, Riverside, Etats-Unis

KENDRICK, K.J.

US Geological Survey, Pasadena, Etats-Unis

Description :
As part of a larger soil-geomorphic study, 4 major landform types were identified within the southern Fry Mountains in the southwestern Mojave Desert on the basis of topography and landscape position: mountaintop, mountainflank, mountainflat (intra-range low-relief surface), and mountainbase. A suite of rock, vegetation, and morphometric land surface characteristic variables was measured at each of 65 locations across the study area, which included an associated piedmont and playa. The findings show that despite the variation within types, landforms have distinct land surface properties that likely control soil-geomorphic processes. A cyclic eolian and alluvial process is proposed for these settings.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2011, vol. 87, n°. 3, p. 408-420, nombre de pages : 13, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais