Connectivity Modifier (Conmod) Pilot methods
The data table in this data package contains the mass and loss on
ignition percentages of bedload samples collected at plots in
2008-2010. Observations impacting the quality of these
measurements are recorded in the history file. A schematic of how
the line-point intercept transects were arranged with respect to
the study plots is also included in the data package. Both of
these documents are listed in the "Additional documents"
section below)
Basic Study Set Up and Location
There are 3 sites for the Conmod Pilot study: Gravelly Ridges,
Aeolian, and Dona Ana (referred to as G, A, and D, respectively).
Within each site, there are 8 plots. The plots are 8 x 8 meters
and have an 8 x 8 meter buffer zone on both sides of the plot
(upwind and downwind). At each site, 4 of the 8 plots are
treatment plots where connectivity modules (conmods) have been
installed to decrease the gap size between perennial vegetation.
The other 4 plots are untreated controls. Buffer zones do not have
conmods installed.
Belowground catchment containers, or bedload samplers, were
installed in the upslope (2-3) and downslope (2-3) buffer zones of
each plot in 2008 for a total of 4-6 samplers per plot. In the
data file "Sampler" values of A, B, and F indicate
bedload samplers located upslope of the plot, while C, D, and E
values indicate bedload samplers downslope of the plot.
Bedload sampler bottles were collected or cleaned out once a
month. Before arriving to the field, technicians checked weather
records to get an estimate of rainfall over last month to help
determine whether there was a flow event. Upon arriving to the
field, bottles were checked and if there was bedload (sediment or
particulates), a substantial amount of water, or dried water lines
in the bottles they were collected. If there was only litter
and/or very little, loose, wind blown soil in bottle, then bottles
were emptied and replaced. Only material from bedload (material
moved from overland flow of water) was collected; water and
material in a bottle solely from a rain or wind event was not
collected.
Samples returned to the lab were dried in the bottle in a drying
oven until completely dry. Dry bottles with the bedload material
were weighed before and after the bedload material was removed to
estimate the mass of the material. Bedload material from the
bottles was then transferred to ceramic crucibles, oven dried at
105 degrees Celsius for 2 hours, and combusted in a muffle furnace
at 400 degrees Celsius for 8 hours. Loss on ignition percentage
was calculated as (1 - combusted mass / initial mass) * 100.
Measurements for this data package were made annually during
2008-2010, and only for overland flow events.
Treatment plots by site
Aeolian site: 1,3,6,7 (Control plots are 2,4,5,8)
Dona Ana site: 1,3,6,8 (Control plots are 2,4,5,7)
Gravelly Ridges site: 2,4,6,8 (Control plots are 1,3,5,7)
Additional documents
A schematic of the location of the bedload samplers (called
"sediment collectors") are found in
"Connectivity_Study_Design_Schematic.pdf"
Historical and contextual notes about data collection (and the
"comments" column) are found in the file
"Connectivity-pilot_his.txt"
