Natural Environment
Arizona is a state of diverse local climates and closely juxtaposed life zones. No fewer than seven climate subregions exist within the state and at least five major vegetation communities lie within the CAP LTER study area.
Moreover, central Arizona stands astride major geographic and climatic transition zones between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, the Sierra and Rocky Mountain ranges, and weather patterns dominated by the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
With less than 7 inches of annual rainfall, Phoenix is situated in a truly arid landscape with concomitant reliance on surface or groundwater, a high evaporation rate of moisture, and a continual threat of desertification.
That these same issues are faced by those living on one-third of the world's land surface makes the relationships examined in this LTER relevant across the globe.
