Objective:

A meteorological station tracks hourly climate data, rodent trapping webs consisting of 145 Sherman traps catch rodents twice yearly, two passive funnel bee traps track the world’s longest continuously monitored bee community, 1m X 1m quadrats estimate plant biomass twice yearly for 265 plant species, and belt transects capture changes in plant phenology and grasshopper biodiversity.

Click the diagram below to learn more about core site research!

Long Term Monitoring Layers (AKA Core Sites):

Core Site Design

Twelve transects radiate from a central point like spokes on a wheel, constituting the mammal trapping web. Along one spoke is the grasshopper transect and on another are phenology and mast transects. The remaining monitoring projects are stationed around the outside of the wheel.
New Mexico Elevation Gradient Ameriflux Core Site Bee Monitoring Core Site Meteorological Monitoring Core Site Grasshopper Monitoring Core Site Phenology Transect & Mast Fruiting Core Monitoring Mammals Soil & Water Biogeochemistry Core Site Bee Monitoring Core Site Traits Monitoring Core Site Evolutionary Monitoring Core Site Plant Species Monitoring

Core Site Evolutionary Monitoring