Simulated Soil Water Potential in National Parks and Monuments of the Southern Colorado Plateau, 1915-2099—Data
Dates
Publication Date
2018-06-12
Start Date
1915
End Date
2099
Citation
Andrews, C., and Bradford, J., 2017, Simulated Soil Water Potential in National Parks and Monuments of the Southern Colorado Plateau, 1915-2099—Data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7D50K6S.
Summary
These data were simulated using the SOILWAT model and were intended to characterize soil-water conditions at different ecological sites on the Southern Colorado Plateau. SOILWAT is a daily, site-specific, multi soil-layer, ecosystem water-balance model, driven by daily meteorology, as well as site soil texture and vegetation. The sites simulated correspond with Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) plots established by the National Park Service’s (NPS) Southern Colorado Plateau Network (SCPN), which were established to capture the range of ecosystem conditions present in this network. Plant communities of the Southern Colorado Plateau Network (SCPN) are a vital sign for this region, enhancing habitat, stabilizing soils, and moderating hydrology. [...]
Summary
These data were simulated using the SOILWAT model and were intended to characterize soil-water conditions at different ecological sites on the Southern Colorado Plateau. SOILWAT is a daily, site-specific, multi soil-layer, ecosystem water-balance model, driven by daily meteorology, as well as site soil texture and vegetation. The sites simulated correspond with Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) plots established by the National Park Service’s (NPS) Southern Colorado Plateau Network (SCPN), which were established to capture the range of ecosystem conditions present in this network. Plant communities of the Southern Colorado Plateau Network (SCPN) are a vital sign for this region, enhancing habitat, stabilizing soils, and moderating hydrology. However, these ecosystems are water-limited, and global climate models predict continued warming and seasonally dryer conditions through-out the 21st century. Recent drought-induced plant mortality events underscore the vulnerability to changing water availability. While climate projections are readily available, anticipating the consequences for plant communities in these dryland areas requires insight into soil moisture availability, which is influenced by both climate and soil profile conditions.
Field data collected by the NPS, including soil depth, texture, and vegetation composition, were used to inform the model. Weather data was obtained from the Livneh (Livneh et al. 2013) dataset for historical simulations (1915 – 2010) and from Downscaled CMIP3 and CMIP5 Climate and Hydrology Projections (Reclamation, 2013) for future model runs (2020 -2099). In total, 300 sites were simulated using SOILWAT. The data here is summarized to the EcoSite level (varying n) and displays mean-daily soil water potential (SWP) for three different time periods, as well as annual mean-monthly SWP for the entire simulation period. These data can be used to inspect and monitor change in SWP conditions, to compare SWP across different Ecosites, and to inform management decisions in the face of climate uncertainty.
Rights
The authors of these data request that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
