Co-development of alluvial fan surfaces and arid botanical communities, Stonewall Flat, Nevada, USA

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Arid alluvial fan and fluvial dry wash surfaces in Stonewall Flat, Nevada, are characterized using surface geomorphic surveys, soil pits, botanical line surveys, and varnish microlamination dating techniques. Active and abandoned washes, and active fan surfaces are dominated by primary geomorphic processes of high-energy sedimentation from flash floods. Old and stable fan surfaces are dominated by lower energy secondary processes and manifest well-developed pavements, soils, and sparse coppices around widely distributed shrubs. Co-dominance of shrubs and annuals with abundant annuals between the shrubs is characteristic of surfaces transitional from primary processes to secondary processes. Stable surfaces dominated by secondary processes are characterized by woody perennials, with long-lived woody species inhabiting the oldest surfaces. Feedback mechanisms between early botanical communities and eolian deposition affect coppice and pavement development. In turn, these surface features control both the composition and distribution of botanical communities on older, more stable surfaces.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2013, vol. 38, n°. 10, p. 1083-1101, nombre de pages : 19, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley