Ecological Survey of Central Arizona: soil chemistry and soil properties in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding Sonoran desert, survey year 2000

The Ecological Survey of Central Arizona (ESCA) is an extensive field
survey and integrated inventory designed to capture key ecological
indicators of the CAP LTER study area consisting of the urbanized,
suburbanized, and agricultural areas of metropolitan Phoenix, and the
surrounding Sonoran desert. The survey is conducted every five years
at approximately 200 sample plots (30m x 30m) that were located
randomly using a tessellation-stratified dual-density sampling design.
Study plots cover habitats throughout the CAP LTER study area ranging
from native Sonoran desert sites to residential yards to an airport
tarmac. Measurements include an inventory of all plants (identified to
the lowest possible taxonomic unit, typically species), plant
biovolume, soil coring for physicochemical properties, arthropod
sweep-net sampling, photo documentation, and a visual survey of site
and area characteristics. The objectives of the survey are to (1)
characterize patches in terms of key biotic, physical, and chemical
variables, and (2) examine relationships among land use, general plant
diversity, native plant diversity, plant biovolume, soil nutrient
status, and social-economic indices along an indirect urban gradient. This data set focuses specifically on soil chemistry and soil
properties assessed during the 2000 survey year. Investigators
interested in soil data from more recent surveys or other measured
variables should search the data catalog for 'ecological survey of
central arizona' or 'survey 200' to locate those and other data
related to the CAP LTER's ESCA.