occurred. As a result, blocks 8 and 9 in the sunny gap (Fig. A-5) were in the only microsite with a significant amount of soil water following the storm. Another significant rainfall event did not occur until December 28, so between those rainfall events the relative rates of water evaporation from the soil was monitored by examining changes in soil water availability. Figure A-5 shows that the areas under the collectors never received precipitation, and the 30 cm depth did not become wetted in the shaded gap. Of the blocks which did show soil moisture, those in the soils in the open desert appeared to dry out faster than did those in the different sites within the array, all of which appeared to lose water at approximately the same rate. Of interest is the fact that the soils in the sunny gap lost water much more slowly than did soils in the open desert, even though soil temperatures were higher in the gap. Surface air movement differences may be implicated. More significant rains with more thorough wetting of the site are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn regarding comparative evaporation rates.
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