Specific Monitoring and Manipulation Programs The research programs presented in this part specify particular ecosystem parameters that should be measured during baseline, monitoring or manipulation studies at various solar conversion systems. These ecosystem parameters are selected from a large number of potential factors (Appendix Table 1) to be measured over the time span suggested in the accompanying figures. The particular parameters have been selected to help test the hypotheses on ecological impacts of solar energy conversion systems presented in Section V - Research Needs. In that section it is shown how research on these parameters will produce data that will elucidate the potential ecological changes at the varying test sites. Solar Powered Irrigation Pumping Site (Willard, New Mexico) (Figure 2) At the end of 1977 this solar powered irrigation system was in full operation. As a result it is impossible to take baseline data on site but it is recommended that the equivalent of baseline data be taken on the density and diversity of the plant component of the ecosystem on a control site adjacent to the irrigation pump station. This control site should be selected to best represent what ecologically is perceived to have been like the pump site prior to construction. The animal portion of the biotic aspect of the ecosystem has been altered through site preparation to the point where exclusionary fencing now in place will restrict return of some of the larger animals. Concentrated activities on the site also will restrict reinvasion by animals. As a result baseline data and periodic monitoring of animal density, diversity or behavior are not recommended for this site. Because the plant portion of the ecosystem does not instantaneously respond to the presence of man, it is recommended that vegetational invasion on site be monitored on a periodic basis (at least four times a year) and compared with equivalent vegetational data collected at the adjacent control site. A limited amount of abiotic data should also be monitored on site and at the control site. These data include the factors that control, or are a response to, the water cycle; that is, surface texture and changes in surface microtopography due to construction activities and runoff from the solar collectors, andsoil water content. The factors that will allow estimation of the energy budget should also be monitored. These include solar radiation, long wave radiation loss and air and soil temperatures.
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