|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Research Projects Mojave Global Change Facility (MGCF) Research: Responses of a Mojave Desert Ecosystem to Simulated Global Change Co-PIs: Lynn Fenstermaker, DRI; R. Nowak, UNR; S. Smith, UNLV Project Period: July 2002 - May 2007 Funded by: DOE Program for Ecological Research Figure 1 (right top) The MGCF has 96 plots (14 by 14 meters) that are being used to examine the interaction of several treatments simulating predicted future global change scenarios. Figure 2 (right bottom) NDVI, canopy segmentation and False color infrared images of a MGCF plot. Images acquired with DRI radio control helicopter. Keywords: global climate change, desert ecology and ecophysiology, remote sensing, field spectra |
 |
The Mojave Global Change Facility (MGCF) is a newly constructed facility designed to complement the research at NDFF. MGCF will examine the impacts of changes in other (non-CO2) global climate change factors, namely increased precipitation, nitrogen deposition and crust disturbance. Global climate change models have predicted that rising levels of atmospheric CO2 will increase summer monsoon rains in the Mojave Desert. Predicted increases in urbanization and cattle grazing will result in increased nitrogen deposition and disturbance or destruction of the soil crust. The cryptobiotic crust, which is present at the surface of most desert soils, plays an important role in making nitrogen available to desert plants. Three treatments based on these predictions are being applied to the 96 MGCF plots (14 by 14 m). These treatments include summer irrigation treatments, two levels of nitrogen fertilization (10 and 40 kg/ha), and crust disturbance. A randomized block design was used to establish the treatments for each plot as shown in the following figure. The results from the MGCF will be combined with data from NDFF to make predictions on the overall impact of future climate on the Mojave Desert, which in turn can assist with better land management, restoration, revegetation, and various clean-up efforts. For more information about the MGCF, please visit the MGCF website at: http://www.unlv.edu/Climate_Change_Research/. |
|
Project Description
Return to Projects List