Soil moisture attributes of three inland sand dunes in the Mojave Desert

Soil moisture attributes were investigated in three active sand dunes in the Mojave Desert of southern Nevada and California. Soil water content increased significantly with increasing soil depth, and decreased when moving toward dune habitats. Path analysis revealed direct causal effects of soil depth and habitat type (dune and nondune) on soil water content. Among soil moisture variables, significant interaction was detected between habitat type and geomorphic surface (terrace and slope) for area of water spread (surface water runoff). When examining habitat type or geomorphic surface alone, significant differences were detected in all measured moisture variables. Significant differences were also found in site for water infiltration and depth of water penetration. The Kelso, Ash Meadows, and Death Valley dunes had different soil moisture attributes compared with adjacent Larrea-Ambrosia shrublands.