CONTENTS 



Page 



INTRODUCTION 1 



STUDY AREAS 2 



MEASUREMENTS 4 



ANALYSES 4 



RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 5 



APPLICATION 16 



LITERATURE CITED 19 



APPENDIX 20 



ABSTRACT 



Simulated rain was applied to small plots on seven mountain 

 rangeland sites in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, Multiple regression 

 equations were developed for each site relating the resultant ero- 

 sion to cover characteristics, soil properties, and slope gradient. 

 The magnitude of erosion was found to depend primarily on the 

 proportion of the soil surface protected from direct raindrop im- 

 pact by plants, litter, and (in some cases) stone. Soil organic 

 matter favored stability of fine-textured soils, but apparently in- 

 creased erodibility of sandy soils. The regression equations are 

 presented in tabular and nomographic form to aid the land manager 

 in the assessment of potential sheet erosion on sites similar to 

 those studied. 



