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• Climate <br />FIGURE 3: Rel. Humidity (monthly) <br />Colorado Springs, Ctloredg <br />SITE MODIF/CAT/ONS: The quarry itself probably exhibits similar patterns of relative humidity <br />variations throughout the day. Because temperatures are lower the actual relative hunidity would be <br />somewhat higher. The vapor pressure deficit is probably similaz to what would be measured in Colorado <br />Springs. Thus plants at the quazry probably would experience only slightly less moisture :stress than those <br />found near [he city. The increased precipitation and somewhat increased available moisture in the soils at <br />the quarry would help reduce the moisture stress factor caused by a high vapor pressure de.'icit. Again this <br />probably is a major factor in maintaining forests and the considerable abundance of cool season grasses at the <br />quarry. <br />Humidity increases in the afternoon as a result of cooling from afternoon shading. Because the quarry <br />is at the base of Mt. Pittsburg (8,197' -about 1000' higher than the quarry) shade engulfs the quarry about <br />3PM in the afternoon in the summer. How much effect this shading has on vegetation growth cannot be <br />determined, but it undoubtedly improves the growth environment by reducing the moisture stress. <br />WIND: Figure 4 shows the wind velocity and prevailing wind direction data for Colora•io Springs on a <br />monthly basis. Note that the velocity scale covers the range of 9 to 12 miles per hour. This makes the wind <br />velocity variations throughout the yeaz appear more severe than they actually are. <br />In the Colorado Springs azea, and especially in the mountains west of the city, wind is a significant <br />factor for plant growth. The wind factor is an important modifier of the other three pazameters in that it <br />increases the vapor pressure gradient and is a major cause of desiccation. This is especially true in winter <br />when soil temperatures are low and root metabolism is weak resulting in limited water intake to replace that <br />which is transpired through leaves. This is not such a serious problem for deciduous trees which ate leafless <br />during the most hazardous time of the year, but for conifers and other evergreens, winter desiccation is a major <br />limiting factor in their growth success. <br />Menzer Quarry Amendment Exhibit K Page 5 <br />Jan Feb MY Apr May Jun! July Aug Sep 0.t NOV [kc <br />Monty <br />Legentl <br />5 AM ® 11 AM ® 5 PM ~ 11 PM <br />