Cross-Scale Interaction Study methods
For the data table in this data package, the air dry weight, in
grams, of the dust sample in each collector is calculated from the
mass of the sample and the bag minus the average mass of all bags
used during the collection ( (Bag + Sample) - Avg_Bag_Wt ). Data
collection flags and observations impacting the quality of these
sample weights are indicated in the "qwt" and
"comment" columns of the data table. More study
information can be found in attached files - see "Additional
documents" below.
Experimental design and data collection
There are 15 experimental blocks, each at different Jornada Basin
sites, for the CSIS study. Each block contains four experimental
plots. These block and plot locations were selected to span a
range of Black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) and Mesquite (Prosopis
glandulosa) cover present in the Jornada Basin. Block and plot
selection was based on remote sensing data and ground truthing in
2012.
Experimental treatments were applied to plots using random
assignment within blocks. Each block contains 1 control plot, 1
plot with mesquite herbicide applied, 1 with connectivity
modifiers (Conmods) installed, and 1 plot with Conmods AND
mesquite herbicide applied. The experimental plots are 8 x 8
meters and have an 8 x 8 meter buffer zone on both the upwind and
downwind sides of the plot. Conmods are designed to decrease gap
size, or increase connectivity, between areas with perennial
vegetation. Buffer zones do not have Conmods installed.
There are two BSNE (aeolian dust collector) stands per
experimental plot positioned at the edge of the upwind and
downwind 8m x 8m buffers. Each stand has 3 collectors positioned
at heights of 10 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm, and all collector openings
face the prevailing wind direction. Upwind BSNEs collected the
amount of dust entering the plot, and the downwind BSNEs collected
the amount of dust moving off the plot. These collectors estimate
the effectiveness of the plot surface (including Conmods and
mesquite shrubs) in obstructing wind blown dust. It is important
the BSNEs are fixed in an orientation that points across the full
length of the plot.
The Conmod BSNEs are collected quarterly in February, May, August,
and November. They are collected in the last week of the month,
or, if not able, in the first week of the next month.
Additional documents
The guidelines and procedures for BSNE collection, maintenance,
and sample/data processing can be found in the file
"CSIS_BSNE-protocol.pdf" provided in this data package.
There is also a key to experimental treatments applied by block
and plot in the file
"Study413_CSIS_Plot_Treatments.pdf".