Project Number: 6235-11210-006-57
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: May 28, 2007
End Date: Jun 30, 2009

Objective:
To determine recovery of 3 different ecological sites 10 years following simulated disturbances and undisturbed treatments in order to provide a basis for habitat management and a reference for habitat monitoring.

Approach:
We will complete soil and vegetation measurements on 72 plots established in three ecological sites (habitats) in 1997 and on an additional 72 plots that were disturbed a second time in 2001. We will determine the rate of recovery for each disturbance-ecological site combination. We will also analyze the relative temporal variability in the different treatments and ecological sites relative to the controls. Finally, we will analyze the pre-drought and post-drought periods separately. This information will be used to focus future monitoring at HAFB and other locations on those ecological site-disturbance combinations that are most likely to result in long-term changes to habitat. The data will also be used to complete a symopsis of 10-year temporal patterns in selected habitat properties.