10 MWP STPS: Barstow, California (Figure 4) The proposed 10 MWe STPS site near Barstow, California should be used primarily for monitoring the response of ecosystem parameters to construction and operation of the solar conversion system. The site also has the possibility for testing alternative activities either through built in manipulations where engineering feasibility permits or through selection of different monitoring sites within the heliostat array where ecosystem parameters such as soil or engineering design such as heliostat packing factors may vary. Figure 4 suggests the ecosystem parameters that should be monitored in relation to normal construction and operation procedures as well as manipulated (modified) or varied operations or site selection. Because this is the first "normal" operational STPS, it should be thoroughly monitored as discussed in the preceding Research Chronological Program section. From the monitoring data obtained at this site, along with other earlier environmental impact studies, assessments of the ecological impacts of future solar conversion systems can be made. Baseline studies must be made of many of the ecosystem parameters. These include biotic parameters, especially density and diversity of plants, animals and soil organisms. Abiotic baseline data can be limited to soil factors and albedo. The soil on site will be altered by construction and the albedo of the soil surface will change along with the soil modifications. Other biotic factors such as temperatures or air movement vary so much over time that monitoring should start on these factors on and off site after construction is coming to a close and the testing and operation period is about to begin. During testing and operation, manipulation or alternative maintenance activities should begin. These include, as indicated on Figure 4, (a) altering maintenance activities such as vehicle size and number of trips, (b) changing ground surface through addition of different colored and textured materials, this could be accomplished during construction, (c) modifying heliostat washing techniques, (d) using variable heliostat stow positions to change shading effects, (e) taking impact data in areas with different heliostat packing factors. Natural ecosystem changes, over time, should continuously be monitored at an off site location to make comparisons with the on site changes taking place under normal operating and maintenance
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