Time Domain Reflectometry at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1996-2005)

Authors

James Gosz

Date

3-7-2016

Abstract

This file contains hourly time-domain reflectometry (TDR) soil moisture data for 1996-2005. A key factor in a spatially explicit water-balance model is a measure of moisture in the soils over time. This metric is crucial for both calibration and validation of such a model. One of the best methods of measuring soil moisture on a continuous basis is TDR. Therefore, a network of TDR soil moisture sensors was installed at all meteorological stations on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. At two of the sites the sensors were measured on an hourly basis in conjunction with the meteorological variables. At the four other sites the sensors were measured on a much less frequent basis - about every two weeks. Sensors were installed in pits in sets of five. One sensor was installed vertically adjacent to the pit to measure the top 30 cm of soil. The other four were installed horizontally in the face of the pit at 5, 10, 20, and 40 cm. Pits were then backfilled.

Handle

http://hdl.handle.net/1928/29833

Other Identifier

SEV78

Knowledge Network for Biocomplexity (KNB) Identifier

knb-lter-sev.78.255035

Document Type

Dataset

Comments

This dataset was originally published on the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Data Portal, https://portal.lternet.edu, and potentially via other repositories or portals as described. The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the source data package is doi:10.6073/pasta/40a7d2ce5d85bc63ff28d39d7b47f3b6, and may be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/40a7d2ce5d85bc63ff28d39d7b47f3b6. Metadata and files included in this record mirror as closely as possible the source data and documentation, with the provenance metadata and quality report generated by the LTER portal reproduced here as '*-provenance.xml' and *-report.html' files, respectively.

Rights

Data Policies: This dataset is released to the public and may be freely downloaded. Please keep the designated Contact person informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation or collaboration with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset must include proper acknowledgement of the Sevilleta LTER. Datasets must be cited as in the example provided. A copy of any publications using these data must be supplied to the Sevilleta LTER Information Manager. By downloading any data you implicitly acknowledge the LTER Data Policy (http://www.lternet.edu/data/netpolicy.html).

Source

http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/40a7d2ce5d85bc63ff28d39d7b47f3b6

Temporal coverage

1996-01-01 - 2005-12-31

Spatial coverage

Deep Well is located on McKenzie Flats and is site of the longest running SEV LTER met station, number 40, which has been active since 1988. In addition to studies of meteorological variables, core line-intercept vegetation transects and line-intercept transects from the 1995 & 2001 Deep Well fires are sampled here. The mini-rhizotron study, blue and black grama compositional comparison, blue and black grama patch dynamics investigation, and kangaroo rat population assessement are all ongoing here. Deep Well Blue/Black Grama Mixed is also the location of the warming and monsoon experiments, as well as portions of the line-intercept and vegetation removal studies. On August 4, 2009, a lightning-initiated fire began on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. By August 5, 2009, the fire had reached the area of Deep Well Blue/Black Grama Mixed. While portions of this site were burned, the entirety was not. See individual projects for further information on the effects of the fire.The Rio Salado is an ephemeral tributary of the Rio Grande on the west side of the Sevilleta NWR, flowing west by northwest to east by southeast. Rio Salado Grassland & Rio Salado Larrea are two study sites established in 1989. These sites were established as counterparts to sites at Five Points. Between 1989 and 1998, vegetation, litter decomposition, and ground dwelling arthropod and rodent populations were studied at both sites. Core studies at these sites were largely terminated in 1998, although rodent populations are still monitored at the Rio Salado Larrea site as the Small Mammal Exclosure Study's Larrea plots are co-located there. Rio Salado Grassland is the location of Met Station 44. The Rio Salado study sites are accessed by taking the San Acacia exit, going west and then taking the frontage road back north to the Sevilleta NWR gate. After entering the refuge turn left after 0.2 mi and take this road 1.4 mi to a "T" in the road at the power lines. An earthen berm stops road travel here and the met station is located about 300 m west on the blocked road. Bronco Well is located near the northern boundary of the Sevilleta NWR, approximately four miles west of the AT&T on the road to Red Tank.Just north of UNM's Sevilleta Field StationThe Goat Draw Juniper Savanna Core Site was established in 1998 in order to provide data at the lower end of the transition from the Pinon-Juniper Woodland habitat at the Cerro Montoso site to Juniper Savanna.This site is located in the foothills of the Sierra Ladrones on the west side of the Sevilleta NWR. Red Tank is a man-made earthen drainage pool and is the location of Met Station 43. Research conducted at the site includes soil moisture and erosion studies related to the Sierra Ladrone watershed project.

DOI

doi:10.6073/pasta/40a7d2ce5d85bc63ff28d39d7b47f3b6

Permanent URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/40a7d2ce5d85bc63ff28d39d7b47f3b6

Recommended Citation

Gosz, James (2016-03-07): Time Domain Reflectometry at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1996-2005). Long Term Ecological Research Network. http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/40a7d2ce5d85bc63ff28d39d7b47f3b6