a desert ecosystem. The significance of the ecological parameter responses must be established prior to developing detailed environmental monitoring programs for the large scale solar conversion systems under construction or planning. At present (January 1978) there are only two methods available to validate the significance of ecosystem parameter responses. The parameters identified in the theoretical bases section can be tested at the existing solar powered irrigation pumping sites or by simulating solar collectors in a desert ecosystem. Both of these methods have limitations but they are vastly superior to trying to use the Albuquerque 5MW STPS because this system is so modified by construction and asphalting of the surface that there is no desert ecosystem remaining immediately on site to measure. The limitations of the two systems to be used for validation are primarily due to small size and limits in flexibility. The irrigation sites use a parabolic trough, concentration system and are set in terms of solar tracking and the types of shading and wind deflection created. Simulating a solar conversion system is useful in that different forms of collectors (or reflectors) can be used, but imitating all forms of solar collectors is impossible and thus any data on validation obtained from a simulation system still might not be totally applicable to all types of future solar conversion units, but the flexibility of a simulation system is great enough to permit qualified evaluation of ecosystem parameter responses that will be useful in establishing later research and monitoring programs. Progress. Two solar powered pumping irrigation systems are available for testing ecosystem responses. Both use parabolic solar concentrating systems. One near Gila Bend, Arizona was built on a raised, compacted soil "platform” surrounded by irrigated fields. This station might be useful for determining shading and wind deflection effects but the substrate and surrounding area are too unnatural for comparison with larger solar conversion systems to be- constructed in more natural desert ecosystems. The solar irrigation project near Willard, New Mexico is more likely to give useful ecosystem response data. Although the substrate was disturbed, plants are reinvading and much of the surrounding area is natural desert. Both biotic and abiotic ecosystem parameters could be studied at this site.
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