LTER Network Receives Distinguished Scientist Award

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has announced that the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network will receive the 2010 AIBS Distinguished Scientist Award. CAP LTER, as one of the 26 sites in the LTER Network, shares in this honor. Read more…

Quarterly Message from CAP Co-Director Nancy Grimm

I am very pleased to inform all of my CAP LTER colleagues that our renewal proposal to the NSF has been recommended for funding! This is a tremendous accomplishment that is owed in large measure to all of your intellectual efforts. Recall that we began the process of conceiving the next stage of LTER research at our 2009 Annual Symposium, with working groups brainstorming ideas. Every one of you should feel some ownership in this successful renewal. Read more….

Kendra Busse's Thesis Defense

Kendra Busse will be defending her thesis Effect of Residential Landscape Design on Undercanopy Microclimate on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 10:00 AM in Room 330, Wanner Building, Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus. To read her abstract go to http://caplter.asu.edu/docs/caplter/KendraBusse_051710.pdf

Survey 200 Underway

In February 2010, CAP LTER began collecting data once again at 204 sites in metropolitan Phoenix and the surrounding desert. This effort, Survey 200, takes place every five years at the same 204 sites and is a core, long-term monitoring initiative. Long-term monitoring allows scientists to better understand long-term trends or phenomena that are slow cycling in nature.

Field technicians carry out a suite of research activities at each of the 204 sites, measuring tree and shrub height and girth, obtaining arthropod samples with sweep nets, and gathering voucher specimens of annuals. They take several soil cores at different depths, which will be analyzed in CAP scientists’ laboratories for organic matter, heavy metals, soil bacteria, and black carbon, as well as other attributes.

Survey 200 provides a cross-section of the various environments in the CAP study area from upland desert environments accessible only by hiking and helicopter to residential yards festooned with petunias and roses to salvage yards with damaged vehicles and scrap metal. This year’s survey is the third conducted since 2000 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2010.