cycle or energy budget at various locations within the solar collector array and adjacent control areas more sophisticated equipment is needed and regular intensive periods of measurement are necessary. Progress. The level of sophistication of instrumentation and data collection techniques to be used in monitoring ecosystem response to solar conversion system construction and operation has not been fully determined. Alternative methods of general trend measurements and intensive detailed data collection were initiated on the small collector simulation site near Phoenix, Arizona. Periodic measurements at the solar powered irrigation sites might enable speculation on the sophistication of data collection needed at any future large STPS or photovoltaic system but there continues to be a need to compare the usefulness of general trend data with more specific detailed ecosystem parameter responses. The data collected to determine the significance of parameter response (see preceding part) should enable evaluation of alternative monitoring methods. In all likelihood, a combination of general data for some parameters and detailed data for others will turn out to be the best combination of monitoring techniques. These will vary according to the variabilities of the solar conversion system to be monitored. It is unlikely that a monitoring program designed for one type of solar conversion system will give all the information needed to analyze ecological impacts at other types of solar conversion systems. 10 MWe STPS: Baseline and Monitoring Program Although all determinations may not be made as to significance of ecosystem parameter responses or alternatives for monitoring prior to site development for the 10 MWe STPS near Barstow, California, it is imperative to establish a baseline study and design a monitoring program for the site as early as possible. The baseline study should include an analysis for on-site and an adjacent area of the existing biotic community including the composition, density and diversity of species and the major abiotic factors including soil surface and textural characteristics and temperature profiles. During the period of baseline analysis, the future monitoring program for the site should be established. This will include both biotic and abiotic data collection on the actual STPS site and at an adjacent control site. Progress. Neither the baseline study nor the monitoring program have
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