van der Kamp, G., M. Hayashi & D. Gallen (2003):
Comparing the hydrology of grassed and cultivated catchments in the semi-arid Canadian prairies. Hydrological Processes 17(3): 559-575.
Description
In 1980 and 1983 a total of about one-third of the 4 km2 area was converted from cultivation to undisturbed cover of brome grass. A few years all the wetlands within the area of grass dried out; they have remained dry since, wetlands in adjacent cultivated lands have held water as before. Introduction of undisturbed grass reduces water input: efficient snow trapping and enhanced infiltration into frozen soil. In winter, the tall brome grass traps most of the snowfall, whereas in the cultivated fields more wind transport of snow occurs. Grassland: infiltrability of the frozen soil high enough to absorb most or all of the snowmelt, cultivated fields: infiltration into frozen soil is limited and significant runoff occurs. Summer: the infiltrability increases for the cultivated fields, but the grassland retains a much higher infiltrability than the cultivated land. The development of enhanced infiltrability takes several years after the conversion from cultivation to grass, and is likely due to the gradual development of macropores, such as root holes, desiccation cracks, and animal burrows.
Case study for Climate Change / Wetlands in cold ecoregions:
| Parameter group | Indicator |
|---|---|
| Susceptibility ecosystem | Soil type |
