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Research Project: MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR ARID RANGELANDS

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Long-term trends in precipitation and surface water chemistry

Authors
item Peters, Debra
item Laney, Christine -
item Lugo, Ariel -
item Collins, Scott -
item Driscoll, Charles -
item Groffman, Peter -
item Grove, J. Morgan -
item Knapp, Alan -
item Kratz, Timothy -
item Ohman, Mark -

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: October 15, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This chapter first describes common methods to measure precipitation and surface water chemistry, and the rationale for the selection of variables in the book. It then shows graphs of long-term data summarized across sites and by site for two major elements (nitrogen, sulfur in precipitation as inputs; surface waters as exports). The continental-scale patterns for chloride and calcium and also shown. Volume-weighted concentration (mg/L) and area-based wet deposition (kg/ha) from precipitation, and concentration in surface water (mg/L) of nitrogen (as nitrate and ammonium), sulfur (as sulfate), chloride, and calcium are selected. Two types of graphs are included to show trends in the variables and to provide a sense of change across a range of spatial scales (continent, site) for each variable: maps at continental scale showing either the mean across years or the slope of the regression line (if significant) across time, and site-scale data through time. Nitrate and sulfate deposition are decreasing in many Eastern sites, consistent with efforts to control emissions of acid-causing nitrogen and sulfur from power plants in this part of the country.

Technical Abstract: This chapter shows long-term data and trends in precipitation and surface water chemistry for each site. It contains a brief introduction to the topic, and methods of measurements, selection of variables, and their data source. It consists primarily of a large number of figures showing long-term data for different variables. Volume-weighted concentration (mg/L) and area-based wet deposition (kg/ha) from precipitation, and concentration in surface water (mg/L) of nitrogen (as nitrate and ammonium), sulfur (as sulfate), chloride, and calcium are selected. Two types of graphs are included to show trends in the variables and to provide a sense of change across a range of spatial scales (continent, site) for each variable: maps at continental scale showing either the mean across years or the slope of the regression line (if significant) across time, and site-scale data through time. Nitrate and sulfate deposition are decreasing in many Eastern sites, consistent with efforts to control emissions of acid-causing nitrogen and sulfur from power plants in this part of the country.

   

 
Project Team
Estell, Richard - Rick
Lucero, Mary
Peters, Debra - Deb
Havstad, Kris
Rango, Albert - Al
Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff
Anderson, Dean
Bestelmeyer, Brandon
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Pasture, Forage and Rangeland Systems (215)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/25/2013
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