On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
Hydrological Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in Arid and Semi-Arid Communities
Detailed Description
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation. This work describes the changes European culture has made to the landscape of northern Mexico and the Southwest United States and how this has drastically altered the hydrologic response to rainfall intensities typical of this region. It explains the prime causes of the deterioration of grasslands in semi-arid zones, identifies systemic strategies to address these causes, and presents several basic landscape intervention techniques that can help restore hydraulic function to these ecosystems. These include the restoration of historic flow paths, road drainage with rolling dips, Induced Meandering using post vanes to restore eroded stream banks, and one-rock-dams to arrest downcutting in small incised tributaries. Restoration is difficult; therefore, it is imperative for a project to identify and remove the root cause of degradation so that we don’t waste time. The effects of these techniques are documented photographically. The interventions and management guidelines presented in this paper can improve grassland hydrology, conserve soil resources, and have a large potential to reduce the vulnerability of ecological communities to droughts and floods.
Published originally in Spanish (Restauración Hidrológica de Pastizales Degradados en Comunidades Aridas y Semiáridas) in the Mexican journal Vivienda y Comunidades Sustentables in 2019 and recently translated into English
Clothier, V., & Córdova, A. (2019). Restauración hidrológica de pastizales degradados en comunidades áridas y semiáridas. Vivienda Y Comunidades Sustentables, (5), 93–110. https://doi.org/10.32870/rvcs.v0i5.64
Details
00:20:03
Sources/Usage
Content used with permission.
Related Content
Aridland Water Harvesting Study
Most of western North America has been severely grazed by cattle, causing grasslands to deteriorate and desert scrub expansion. Climate in arid and semi-arid regions is often typified by short, intense rainfall events which contribute to short-term flooding and erosion. Associated arroyo cutting occurs when ephemeral creek beds are carved into the floodplain when erratic overland flow occurs; this...
Human-Built Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams — Lessons from the "20-Year Crew"
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
Re-Watering the Ground
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico
linkRancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico
linkRancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Hinge-Felling, Best & Cheapest
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
Hydrological Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in Arid and Semi-Arid Communities
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance
linkThe use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance
linkThe use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
Juniper Tank, Pasture Rehab
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds
linkAfter around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds
linkAfter around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
Why the trilogy matters: Hydrology, Geomorphology & Ecology
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
Related Content
Aridland Water Harvesting Study
Most of western North America has been severely grazed by cattle, causing grasslands to deteriorate and desert scrub expansion. Climate in arid and semi-arid regions is often typified by short, intense rainfall events which contribute to short-term flooding and erosion. Associated arroyo cutting occurs when ephemeral creek beds are carved into the floodplain when erratic overland flow occurs; this...
Human-Built Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams — Lessons from the "20-Year Crew"
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
On April 16^th^, 2024, the USGS hosted notable restoration practitioners from the Sky Island Restoration Collaborative (SIRC) at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, in Albuquerque, NM, in a session about low-cost, low-tech, nature-based solutions, that can help people mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
Re-Watering the Ground
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
We have experienced the placement of rocks on hillsides in eroded areas. The rock dams capture silt and water. A great many dams placed close together in all drainages capture so much water that the hills become sponges.
10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico
linkRancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
10-Years Experience in Building Rock Gabions and Check Dams in the Cacachilas Mountain Range, Mexico
linkRancho Cacachilas is a land restoration and ecotourism project in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range, 30km east of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Hinge-Felling, Best & Cheapest
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
Lucinda Cole and I retired to the Pitchfork Ranch in southwest New Mexico two decades ago. We’ve overseen 17 government grants to install grade-control structures in 31 side-drainages and the ranches’ 9-mile reach of the 48-mile-long Burro Ciénaga riparian watercourse, 1.5-miles perennial ciénaga.
Hydrological Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in Arid and Semi-Arid Communities
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
We live in the Anthropocene. The entire surface of the earth has been impacted by human activity and our land management decisions. In this context, most of the grasslands in arid and semiarid regions are experiencing severe and continuing degradation.
Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance
linkThe use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
Lessons learned using stream morphology and simple erosion control structures from the past decade that improve longevity and project performance
linkThe use of simple erosion control structures, one-rock-dams, rock sills, trincheras, etc have gained great popularity in recent years. Ease of construction, relative cost and effectiveness are driving increased and widespread use.
Juniper Tank, Pasture Rehab
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
This project is located in the Juniper Tank Pasture on the Ash Creek Livestock Association.
Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds
linkAfter around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
Think Like a Watershed, Act like a River: The Culture of Community Based River Restoration in the Arizona-Sonora, MX Binational Watersheds
linkAfter around 150 years of Powell’s watershed map, we are getting there….. Think like watershed with interdependence and connectivity of the uplands-middle lands and lowlands and act like a river being the connector of these interactions from the top to the bottom and vice versa.
Why the trilogy matters: Hydrology, Geomorphology & Ecology
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme
It is only in recent years that the restoration profession has begun to recognize the trilogy that links hydrology, geomorphology and ecology. Understanding the fundamental nature of this trilogy is essential to the effective restoration of all streams and wetlands. All three factors must be respected if any project is to be successfully planned, impleme