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National Park Service Research Needs
TITLE:
Erosion
Processes and Erosion Control in the Southwest
SUBMITTING BUREAU: National Park Service
Originating Offices: Intermountain and Midwest Field Areas
DATE SUBMITTED: March 31, 1995
BIN NUMBER: NPS03CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Soil erosion is common in southwestern arid and semi-arid park lands. In cases world-class archeological sites are under severe threat from sheet erosion or arroyo cutting, for example at the Bandelier and Chaco Culture monuments in New Mexico. In other parks overall ecosystem integrity is at risk. Lack of basic information and poor understanding of the erosional processes make it difficult or impossible to control erosion in these unique sites and do not allow prediction of erosion trends. Furthermore, we do not have the necessary methodologies to restore affected areas to a condition that approximates the original. For example we lack techniques for the use of native vegetation to restore ecosystems. The relationships between various soils and vegetation often is undocumented. We also need to understand how the erosional processes are related to land use impacts such as grazing (both past and present), recreational activities, and other effects. Specific processes involved (for example how an arroyo is initiated as vegetative cover is impacted) are not understood. Comprehending the relationships of soil and vegetation as related to erosional processes is essential background for biological restoration.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: Erosion problems in some parks began with grazing that occurred prior to establishment of the park, and in cases this erosion continues despite elimination of the grazing. In other cases erosion control in parks has been attempted, but has not been successful --usually because the proper procedures and processes were not understood. In some cases erosion is natural, but our present knowledge of erosional processes in the Southwest is not adequate to always allow us to distinguish natural levels of erosion from that caused by inadequate land protection.
BUREAU CONTACT: Nancy Skinner, 505-988-6862
Cluster Contacts:
Great Plains - Steve Cinnamon, 402-221-3437
Southwest - Nancy Skinner, 505-988-6862
Colorado Plateau - Janet Wise 303-987-6678
Rocky Mountain - Tom Wylie 303-969-2970
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: MESC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Craig Allen
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): No change from last year's assessment. The Southwest Cluster has geologic/hydrologic erosion issues (e.g., urban development runoff at Petroglyph NM) which would benefit more from attention by other USGS divisions than the BRD (i.e., Geologic Division or Water Resources Division). In Southwest Cluster ongoing livestock grazing issues are an issue at some units (e.g., Coronado NM). Significant BRD activity is underway to address erosion issues at Bandelier National Monument; some of those research results may be transferable to other NPS units in the Southwest (e.g., Pecos).
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: December 18, 1998
PREPARED BY: Craig D. Allen, MESC, Jemez Mts. Field Station, Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 672-3861 X 541.
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY98): No change from last year's assessment. The Southwest Cluster has geologic/hydrologic erosion issues (e.g., urban development runoff at Petroglyph NM) which would benefit more from attention by other USGS divisions than the BRD (i.e., Geologic Division or Water Resources Division). In Southwest Cluster ongoing livestock grazing issues are an issue at some units (e.g., Coronado NM). Significant BRD activity is underway to address erosion issues at Bandelier National Monument; some of those research results may be transferable to other NPS units in the Southwest (e.g., Pecos).
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: October 31, 1997
PREPARED BY: Craig D. Allen, Southern Rocky Mountain Ecosystem Section , Fort Collins Science Center, Jemez Mts. Field Station, Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 672-3861 X 541; E-Mail: craig_allen@usgs.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/98nps-3.htm
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