1. Walker River Basin Project Water PlantSoil Interactions Interactions

2. Integrated Components Alternative Agriculture Alternative Agriculture What are the agricultural practices and cost/benefits associated with alternative low water use crops? What are the agricultural practices and cost/benefits associated with alternative low water use crops? What are the best species and methods for native habitat restoration? What are the best species and methods for native habitat restoration? Plant, Soil & Water Interactions (PSW) How do different agricultural and restoration practices affect PSW interactions? Do changes in site- specific interactions affect other ecosystems adjacent the Walker River?

3. Objectives Monitor Monitor Soil erosion Soil erosion Salinity / salt profile Salinity / salt profile Soil nutrient input & output Soil nutrient input & output Soil organic matter Soil organic matter Soil moisture Soil moisture Soil temperature Soil temperature Invasive species along Walker River Groundwater nutrient input & output Native plant varieties along Walker River Evapotranspiration and crop production functions How do we answer these questions???

4. Objectives ULTIMATE GOAL!!! ULTIMATE GOAL!!! Combine data collected into a model Combine data collected into a model Ask model which land is best suited for alternative agricultural or restoration practices. Ask model which land is best suited for alternative agricultural or restoration practices. Best Land for Change

5. Agricultural Treatments Alternative Low Water Use Crops Alternative Low Water Use Crops 15 vegetation types (alternative grains and potential bio-fuels) 15 vegetation types (alternative grains and potential bio-fuels) 4 water treatments (50%, 75%, & 100%) 4 water treatments (50%, 75%, & 100%) Native Revegetation/Restoration Native Revegetation/Restoration 10 vegetation types (native grasses and shrubs) 10 vegetation types (native grasses and shrubs) 2 water treatments (0% & 25%) 2 water treatments (0% & 25%)

6. Site Locations Wildlife Management Sites Well Site Well Site Flood Irrigation Site Flood Irrigation Site

7. Site Locations Ranch Sites 5C Cottonwood – Vacant Lot 5C Cottonwood – Vacant Lot Valley Vista – Alfalfa Field Valley Vista – Alfalfa Field

8. Site Locations Walker River Riparian Habitat: Walker River Riparian Habitat: One site located in Wildlife Management Area One site located in Wildlife Management Area

9. Where we are today. Cool and warm season crops and native plants have been seeded Cool and warm season crops and native plants have been seeded Have begun irrigation and weed control management Have begun irrigation and weed control management

10. Monitoring Soil Erosion: Dust Collectors Soil Erosion: Dust Collectors Installed Spring 2008 Installed Spring 2008 Collect from 4 heights Collect from 4 heights 4”, 15”, 25”, & 41” 4”, 15”, 25”, & 41”

11. Monitoring Soil Salinity & Nutrients Soil Salinity & Nutrients Soil Sampling Soil Sampling Agricultural Sites Agricultural Sites Collected ~1300 soil samples Collected ~1300 soil samples Riparian Site Riparian Site 42 soil samples 42 soil samples Sample Depths Sample Depths 0-6”, 6-12”, 12-24”, 24-36”, 36-48”, & 48-60” 0-6”, 6-12”, 12-24”, 24-36”, 36-48”, & 48-60” Running soil water extracts through Ion Chromatograph to analyze for common nutrients Running soil water extracts through Ion Chromatograph to analyze for common nutrients N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na Rings installed for monitoring nutrient movement in gas form Rings installed for monitoring nutrient movement in gas form Initial CO 2 readings taken Initial CO 2 readings taken

12. Monitoring Soil Organic Matter Soil Organic Matter Surface soils tested for percent loss on combustion of organic matter Surface soils tested for percent loss on combustion of organic matter Soil Moisture Soil Moisture Samples taken pre- and post-irrigation to monitor water movement through soil Samples taken pre- and post-irrigation to monitor water movement through soil Sample 4 depths: 0-6”, 6-12”, 12-24”, & 24-36” Sample 4 depths: 0-6”, 6-12”, 12-24”, & 24-36” Invasive Species and Plant Varieties: Invasive Species and Plant Varieties: Vegetation surveys are ongoing Vegetation surveys are ongoing

13. Monitoring Monitoring Soil Temperature: Fiber optic cable Soil Temperature: Fiber optic cable Installed Dec. 2007 Installed Dec. 2007 Valley View Ranch & Wildlife Management Well Sites Valley View Ranch & Wildlife Management Well Sites

14. Monitoring Groundwater Nutrients: Groundwater Nutrients: Installed 7 shallow groundwater wells which are sampled regularly Installed 7 shallow groundwater wells which are sampled regularly Installed 6 bore holes to measure denitrification Installed 6 bore holes to measure denitrification

15. Baseline data are being processed! Valley View Ranch Site Valley View Ranch Site Texture: Loamy Sand Texture: Loamy Sand Infiltration Capacity: 7.0 ± 2.4 in/hr Infiltration Capacity: 7.0 ± 2.4 in/hr Bulk Density: 1.40 ± 0.12 g/cm 3 Bulk Density: 1.40 ± 0.12 g/cm 3 Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR): 1.24 ± 0.38 Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR): 1.24 ± 0.38 May be phosphorus (P) limited as detectable P is variable May be phosphorus (P) limited as detectable P is variable Soil wets down 2-3 feet, and significant increase in soil moisture is still seen 24 hours after irrigation. Soil wets down 2-3 feet, and significant increase in soil moisture is still seen 24 hours after irrigation.

16. Baseline Data 5C Ranch Site 5C Ranch Site Texture: Sand Texture: Sand Infiltration Capacity: 4.0 ± 1.9 in/hr Infiltration Capacity: 4.0 ± 1.9 in/hr Bulk Density: 1.34 ± 0.17 g/cm 3 Bulk Density: 1.34 ± 0.17 g/cm 3 SAR: 2.21 ± 7.91 SAR: 2.21 ± 7.91 Does not retain soil moisture – have found no significant difference in moisture content of non- irrigated and irrigated plots within 24 hours of irrigation. Does not retain soil moisture – have found no significant difference in moisture content of non- irrigated and irrigated plots within 24 hours of irrigation.

17. Baseline Data Wildlife Management Well Site Wildlife Management Well Site Texture: Silty Clay Loam Texture: Silty Clay Loam Infiltration Capacity: 3.2 ± 1.5 in/hr Infiltration Capacity: 3.2 ± 1.5 in/hr Bulk Density: 1.07 ± 0.07 g/cm 3 Bulk Density: 1.07 ± 0.07 g/cm 3 SAR: Pending… SAR: Pending… Soil wets down 2-3 feet, and significant increase in soil moisture is still seen 1 week after irrigation. Soil wets down 2-3 feet, and significant increase in soil moisture is still seen 1 week after irrigation.

18. Baseline Data Wildlife Management Flood Site Wildlife Management Flood Site Texture: Silty Clay Loam Texture: Silty Clay Loam Infiltration Capacity: 3.4 ± 1.4 in/hr Infiltration Capacity: 3.4 ± 1.4 in/hr Bulk Density: 1.18 ± 0.05 g/cm 3 Bulk Density: 1.18 ± 0.05 g/cm 3 SAR: 29.35 ± 22.37 …Sodic Soil! SAR: 29.35 ± 22.37 …Sodic Soil! May be P limited as there is no detectable P May be P limited as there is no detectable P Soil wets down only within first 6 inches, but significant increase in soil moisture is still seen 1 week after irrigation. Soil wets down only within first 6 inches, but significant increase in soil moisture is still seen 1 week after irrigation.

23. Still to Come! More nutrient description and moisture profile analysis as sites change with vegetation growth More nutrient description and moisture profile analysis as sites change with vegetation growth Water table monitoring in wildlife management sites Water table monitoring in wildlife management sites Results from ongoing studies Results from ongoing studies Dust collection Dust collection Nutrient gas input/output Nutrient gas input/output Groundwater nutrients Groundwater nutrients Soil temperature relative to soil moisture Soil temperature relative to soil moisture Soil organic matter Soil organic matter Vegetative surveys Vegetative surveys

24. SUMMARY Research Project Specific Study Integrated Findings Informs Acquisition Potential Identifies Lands Best Suited for Change Promotes Multi-Disciplinary Stewardship