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Water Loss and Salvage in Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) Stands on the Pecos River, Texas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

William L. Hatler  and
Charles R. Hart
William L. Hatler*
Affiliation:
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas A&M System, 1229 North U.S. Highway 281, Stephenville, TX 76401
Charles R. Hart
Affiliation:
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas A&M System, 1229 North U.S. Highway 281, Stephenville, TX 76401
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: wlhatler@ag.tamu.edu
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Abstract

Water use by saltcedar, an invasive phreatophyte, is of significant concern in many riparian zones in the western United States. Diurnal groundwater fluctuations were analyzed to estimate evapotranspiration and water salvage (water available for other ecological functions) in saltcedar stands over a 6-yr period on a site along the Pecos River in Texas. Seasonal stand-level saltcedar water loss at an untreated control site ranged from 0.42 to 1.18 m/yr. Seasonal water salvage following application of imazapyr ranged from 31% 4 yr after treatment to 82% 2 yr after treatment. Significant water savings may be achieved by chemical saltcedar control, dependent upon water use by replacement vegetation and saltcedar regrowth. A regrowth management strategy is essential to maintain long-term water salvage.

Keywords

Imazapyrsaltcedar, Tamarix spp.Saltcedar water usewater salvageriparian evapotranspiration
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , October 2009 , pp. 309 - 317
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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