Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />For example, the effect of additional snowfall upon highway traffic <br /> <br />movement has been coordinated with the California Department of <br /> <br /> <br />Transportation. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />The ecology of an area is the result of a long-term interaction of <br />parent geologic material, climate, vegetation, and animals. Cooper, <br />et al. [1], recognized the problems inherent in trying to study the <br />ecological impacts of a short-term change in precipitation. The <br />effects of increased precipitation and increased snowpack are further <br />complicated by being superimposed upon an enorJlOUS mosaic of natural <br />and man-caused disturbances. The effect of a 10- to l5-percent increase <br />in the annual precipitation on the area's ecolo gy from a 5- to 7 -year <br />program will not be detect'able through nomal plot-type studies. Due <br />to the overall complexity of the problem~ a preliminary "best estimate" <br />assessment of the prospective ecological effects of weather modifica- <br />tion was needed before any research was conducted. As part of its <br />studies, the Forest Service brought together several teams of scien- <br />tists to assess the impacts of snowpack augmentation upon several <br />fields including vegetation, deer and their habitat, and forest insects <br />and diseases. Experts in each of the necessary academic disciplines <br />examined the problem areas for: (1) an assessment of the probable <br />impact of snowpack augmentation upon their area of interest; and <br />(2) an evaluation of research and monitoring needs for assessing <br />impacts. <br /> <br />1-3 <br />