Como Creek NEON / COMO

COMO is located in the Southern Rockies, which have a climate characterized by the drastic changes in elevation, leading to dramatic differences in precipitation and temperature over very short distances. In general, precipitation decreases and temperature increases with a decrease in elevation. COMO lies at an elevation of over 3000 m (9842 ft.), and consequently it experiences cold and long winters with snow cover lasting from October through June. Freezing temperatures are possible year-round. Snow is the main form of precipitation; however, the area receives a large amount of precipitation in the summer from afternoon thunderstorms. Humidity is generally low. The mean annual temperature 2°C (35.6°F) at COMO and the mean annual precipitation is 841 mm (33 in.). [5] [6]

The geology at this site is characteristic of schist, migmatite, and biotitic gneiss. [2]

The watershed surrounding COMO has generally thin soils overlying a parent material of granite. [3]

Snowmelt dominates the hydrologic and nutrient flux in this 4.9 km² (1211 acre) watershed. Peak streamflow occurs in the summer (June) of each year and sharply declines throughout late summer. Discharge remains very low through the winter months. While weather systems from across the continental divide are the most common source of precipitation, spring and early summer thunderstorms can also contribute to the flow of the creek. [1] [3]

The surrounding area is dominated by conifers including lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), limber pine (Pinus flexilis), and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). Aspen trees (Populus tremuloids) can also be found in the area. [3] [4]

Aquatic organisms collected at this site include aquatic microbes, macroinvertebrates, microalgae, macroalgae, and plants.

The area has experienced multiple ecological disturbances throughout history, including stand-replacing fires, episodic insect outbreaks, and occasional wind damage. In the early 1900s the logging industry clear cut the forest. The area is encompassed within Niwot Ridge, which was established as a site in the NSF sponsored Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program in 1980. [4]

COMO is part of the Niwot Ridge Biosphere Reserve and Experimental Ecology Reserve within the Roosevelt National Forest. The land is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. This area has an active history of ecological research, including the Niwot Ridge LTER which is administered through the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. [3] [4]

COMO was established as a site in 2015. AOS operations began December 2015 with AIS operations starting 2 years later. The nearby tower began data collection in 2017.