Hypothesis: Both direct and diffuse solar radiation input at the ground surface will be substantially reduced in collector arrays. Incoming direct and scattered radiation should both be substantially reduced within the arrays. Shading, as a direct and indirect factor, is probably the major modification of the environment which produces biotic changes. Hypothesis: Compaction of soil will be considerable, and largely irreversible. Soil compaction is mainly a result of construction activity. It can be tested by examining changes in bulk density and penetration resistance after construction activities. Impact of maintenance activity on soil compaction should also be examined. Hypothesis: Soil moisture will increase with site succession and will be greater than in the open desert. Soil moisture should be monitored with one of various indirect methods such as soil moisture blocks, neutron probes or directly through gravimetric sampling. Increase of soil moisture is due to shading and wind deflection, and directly affects biotic changes, particularly plant functions. Hypothesis; Air, surface and soil temperatures will be reduced in the day within the collector array and will have less diurnal fluctuation. All three temperatures are biologically important. Reduction of heating and cooling rates, as well as maximum temperatures, should be beneficial to most organisms, and may provide new habitats for new or uncommon species. Hypothesis; Soil erosion will increase with increased surface disturbance. It will decrease as site succession proceeds due to increased density of rooted plants. Compaction and surface disturbance will accelerate soil erosion. Overall, soil erosion may be greater than in open desert areas due to maintenance activities. Soil erosion will be much greater on sites completely cleared during construction. This can be determined by sampling surface texture and microtopography.
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