Hanford (gradient site)
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Links to other gradient sites: Hart Mountain Reynolds Creek South Ruby Mountain Great Basin National Park |
Location: Hanford, Great Basin (IRON, domain 15), HANF_WA_IRON
Contact person: David Pyke, 541-750-7334, david_a_pyke@usgs.gov
Webpage: http:// neon-iron.org, http://sagestep.org
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History: The Hanford site was established as part of the Joint Fire Science Project to understand the ways to restore sagebrush ecosystems as a result of both juniper expansion and invasive species; each resulting in increased fire frequencies and the conversion of sagebrush shrublands to annual grasslands (http://sagebrushstep.org). In addition to control plots, the site consists of several long-term treatment plots: burned, herbicide application, and physical juniper removal). Treatment and control plots at this site range from 81 to 405 ha, where cheatgrass changes from being a minor component to being a co-dominant with sagebrush in the plant community. Treatments will be applied in 2007 and follow-up measurements of soils, plants and animals will be made by members of the Joint Fire Science Project team.
Key Characteristics: This site is dominated by the three dominant vegetation associations that characterize the basin portion of the basin and range of the Great Basin: sagebrush steppe, invasive annual grassland, and sage-brush juniper steppe.
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Climatic location of Hanford within the BAR SALT gradient are shown in blue. Contributions to national gradients: drought, land cover, invasives, infectious disease |
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Existing infrastructure relevant to NEON: There are meteorological stations on site that have been operational for a limited period of time.
Facilities: There are no established onsite facilities.