Monitor changes in soil nutrient status along the watershed. Evaluate plant community composition in response to climate change. Meteorological stations and soil temperatures probes have been on line since April 1996 at Lost Mine Peak, sotol grassland and Chilicotal Springs. Rainfall and soil temperatures vary considerably along the watershed. Soil in the creosotebush and scrub sites can reach 40 C at 20 cm depth.
Microbial activity is highest for the oak-juniper site.
NH 4 levels show strong seasonal trends and are highest in the forested parts of the watershed. Discharge at Chilicotal Springs was an average flow rate of 3.34 gpm during 1996. Work is continuing towards understanding the surface and subsurface hydrology of the Pine Canyon Watershed along with the soil chemical and microbial dynamics that occur within the five major biome types along the watershed. During 1997, work continued at collecting and archiving meteorological data from stations located at Lost Mine Peak, in the sotol-grassland within Pine Canyon, and at Chilicotal Springs. In addition, recording rain gauges were established by March at our creosotebush site adjacent to Rice Tanks, and at our Glenn Springs location.