Plant and soil recovery along a series of abandoned desert roads

Soil and vegetation dynamics were examined along roads abandoned for 5, 10, 21, 31, 55 and 88 years in southern Nevada in an attempt to elucidate factors controlling desert succession. None of the measured soil or vegetation parameters varied significantly with road age. Differences were found, however, between soils and vegetation on roads vs. nearby controls, and soils differed between roads created by surface vehicular traffic and bulldozing. Studies of recovery following disturbance in deserts must take into account natural patterns of plant and soil heterogeneity and initial disturbance type.