Hello again!

Post-storm

Since the last update, we have been working diligently on data organization and analysis. Note-worthy trends have revealed themselves, such as vegetation differences between the open and shrub covered quads, the plant communities at different sites, and presence of non-native plants, some of which, for example Bromus rubens, are not very beneficial to tortoises. However, we must leave the tortoise forage project on the table for a short time while we begin a new one!

I just returned from our first week sampling vegetation in abandoned oil drilling sites on the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah. We are sampling in Coleogyne ramosissima (black brush) and Artemisia spp. plant communities in different climate zones and lengths of time since abandonment. The more recent sites tend to foster more Salsola (Russian thistle – typical tumbleweed) than the older sites, and the older sites foster different perennials than undisturbed sites. Restoration efforts employed more recently will definitely add an interesting component. Very fascinating findings so far!

Just look at all that Salsola! Note – oil drill site cap in center

In addition to vegetation sampling and learning a plethora of new plants, fieldwork in southeastern Utah consists of riding out brief but intense lightning storms and heavy rain, watching flash floods as they flow by, and camping among hoodoos (precariously eroded pillars of multiple different layers of sedimentary rock). Driving through Monument Valley (igneous intrusions – Alhambra formation) was definitely a highlight!

Monument Valley – ignenous Alhambra formations

Amanda

USGS, Henderson, NV