Geologic Influences on Ecological Geologic Influences on Ecological Sites Along Mountain FrontsSites Along Mountain Fronts

A Case Study in Cochise County, AZA Case Study in Cochise County, AZ

Elizabeth Desser, Geosciences Undergraduate – University of ArizonaElizabeth Desser, Geosciences Undergraduate – University of ArizonaMentor: Philip Heilman, USDA/ARS - Southwest Watershed Research CenterMentor: Philip Heilman, USDA/ARS - Southwest Watershed Research Center

Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS

Topics to coverTopics to cover

Project objectivesProject objectives Project backgroundProject background Research methodsResearch methods Results & InterpretationsResults & Interpretations ConclusionsConclusions

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives Need: Reduce time of NRCS Range Need: Reduce time of NRCS Range

Conservationists to map ecological sites in Conservationists to map ecological sites in the field. the field.

Map ecological sites by relating soil map Map ecological sites by relating soil map

units and ecological sites to underlying units and ecological sites to underlying geology and reduce mapping error. geology and reduce mapping error.

Use results to assess feasibility for Use results to assess feasibility for statewide mapping improvements.statewide mapping improvements.

www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/san_pedro/ecoregions/01-05az_uplands_logo.jpg

Project backgroundProject backgroundSoil

The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. (NRCS)

Soil Formation Equation: S = f (P,C,R,B,T)(Hans Jenny, 1941)

S = soilP = parent material (geology)C = climateR = relief (topography)B = biotaT = time

http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/orders/images/aridisol.jpg

USDA Soil Survey for Cochise County - Douglas Tombstone Part (AZ671)

Ecological Site can produce a specific

vegetation community

distinct boundaries

created for management and planning, not research

www.tatelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/NC/SYMBOLS/images/honeybee.jpg

www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Velvet_mesquite.jpg/586px-Velvet_mesquite.jpg

www.scottsdalecvb.com/images/calendar/RedFlowers.jpg

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www.nwf.org/ecards/images/pronghorn.jpg

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Limy UplandSandy Loam150 - 300 mm/yrCreosote - Tarbush70 kg/ha/yr

Clay UplandClay150 - 300 mm/yrTobosa Grass150 kg/ha/yr

Sample Ecological Sites

Name:Soil:Precip:Vegetation:Production:

Near Chihuahua, Mexico

Clay loam uplandElgin: 50%12-16 in/yr precipitation

Inclusions10%

Limy slopesStronghold: 40%12-16 in/yr precipitation

MAPPING ERROR:50% (due to secondary soil and inclusions)

OVERALL MAPPING ERROR FOR AZ 671: ~ 33%

^Tombstone, AZ

Selected Map Unit: Elgin-Stronghold Complex

Elgin-Stronghold Complex

Granitoid Rock

Sedimentary Rock

Geologic I nfluences

Sedimentary Rock

Elgin-Stronghold Complex

Granitoid Rock

ConclusionsConclusions There is a need to improve Arizona-wide

mapping and grouping of ecological sites and relating SSURGO map units may help in this regard.

For certain areas, the underlying geology may be useful in sorting out soils in given GIS polygons.

Continued research into Cochise County may set an example for the rest of Arizona.

Acknowledgements NASA Space Grant Anthony Pitucco, Pima Community

College Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS, SWRC Chandra Holifield Collins, USDA-ARS,

SWRC Jesse Wood, NRCS Emilio Carrillo, NRCS Phil Pearthree, AZ Geological Survey Donald Pool, USGS Jared Buono, USDA-ARS, SWRC Tobias Finke, USDA-ARS, SWRC

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Make sure you’re on the correct side of the fence before closing the gate!

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Questions?

Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS

Photo by Philip Heilman, USDA-ARS

Thank you!