2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 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. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) 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. 3.Progress Report This project will analyze, synthesize, and integrate the results of several large-scale, long-term ecosystem disturbance experiments. In FY 2008 we completed re-measurement and analysis of a long-term disturbance study on three ecological sites established in 1997. The data will be used by the military and other organizations to improve our ability to sustainably manage arid and semi-arid ecosystems.