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Geologic Influences on Ecological Sites Along Mountain Fronts A Case Study in Cochise County, AZ

Geologic Influences on Ecological Sites Along Mountain Fronts A Case Study in Cochise County, AZ. Elizabeth Desser, Geosciences Undergraduate – University of Arizona Mentor: Philip Heilman, USDA/ARS - Southwest Watershed Research Center. Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS. Topics to cover.

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Geologic Influences on Ecological Sites Along Mountain Fronts A Case Study in Cochise County, AZ

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  1. Geologic Influences on Ecological Sites Along Mountain FrontsA Case Study in Cochise County, AZ Elizabeth Desser, Geosciences Undergraduate – University of Arizona Mentor: Philip Heilman, USDA/ARS - Southwest Watershed Research Center Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS

  2. Topics to cover • Project objectives • Project background • Research methods • Results & Interpretations • Conclusions

  3. Project Objectives • Need: Reduce time of NRCS Range Conservationists to map ecological sites in the field. • Map ecological sites by relating soil map units and ecological sites to underlying geology and reduce mapping error. • Use results to assess feasibility for statewide mapping improvements. www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/san_pedro/ecoregions/01-05az_uplands_logo.jpg

  4. Project background Soil The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. (NRCS) Soil Formation Equation:S = f (P,C,R,B,T) (Hans Jenny, 1941) S = soil P = parent material (geology) C = climate R = relief (topography) B = biota T = time http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/orders/images/aridisol.jpg

  5. USDA Soil Survey for Cochise County - Douglas Tombstone Part (AZ671)

  6. www.tatelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/NC/SYMBOLS/images/honeybee.jpgwww.tatelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/NC/SYMBOLS/images/honeybee.jpg www.tucsonazrealestateblog.com/images/hummingbirdcropped.jpg Ecological Site can produce a specific vegetation community distinct boundaries created for management and planning, not research www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Velvet_mesquite.jpg/586px-Velvet_mesquite.jpg www.nwf.org/ecards/images/pronghorn.jpg www.images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/99/41/22194199.jpg www.scottsdalecvb.com/images/calendar/RedFlowers.jpg

  7. Sample Ecological Sites Name: Soil: Precip: Vegetation: Production: Limy Upland Sandy Loam 150 - 300 mm/yr Creosote - Tarbush 70 kg/ha/yr Clay Upland Clay 150 - 300 mm/yr Tobosa Grass 150 kg/ha/yr Near Chihuahua, Mexico

  8. Clay loam upland Elgin: 50% 12-16 in/yr precipitation Limy slopes Stronghold: 40% 12-16 in/yr precipitation Inclusions 10% MAPPING ERROR: 50% (due to secondary soil and inclusions) OVERALL MAPPING ERROR FOR AZ 671: ~ 33%

  9. Elgin-Stronghold Complex Granitoid Rock Sedimentary Rock

  10. There is a need to improve Arizona-wide mapping and grouping of ecological sites and relating SSURGO map units may help in this regard. For certain areas, the underlying geology may be useful in sorting out soils in given GIS polygons. Continued research into Cochise County may set an example for the rest of Arizona. Conclusions

  11. Acknowledgements • NASA Space Grant • Anthony Pitucco, Pima Community College • Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS, SWRC • Chandra Holifield Collins, USDA-ARS, SWRC • Jesse Wood, NRCS • Emilio Carrillo, NRCS • Phil Pearthree, AZ Geological Survey • Donald Pool, USGS • Jared Buono, USDA-ARS, SWRC • Tobias Finke, USDA-ARS, SWRC http://www.anotherthink.com/my_graphics/poppies_closeup.jpg

  12. Make sure you’re on the correct side of the fence before closing the gate! http://education.usgs.gov/common/lessons/images/43n101w_gate.jpg

  13. Questions? Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS

  14. Thank you! Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS

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