Central Plains Experimental Range NEON / CPER

The Central Plains region is known for dry, hot summers and cold winters. Weather can change drastically in a short period of time. The combination of high elevation and mountain ranges are what mainly drives this region’s climate. At the NEON site at CPER the mean annual temperature is 8.6°C (47.5°F) and the mean annual precipitation is 344.2 mm (13.6 in.). The area can be subject to tornados, flooding, blizzards, and severe winter storms. [3] [4] [5]

The major geologic formation at the Central Plains Experimental Range is the Laramie formation, containing shales and claystone with minor sandstone lenses. [2]

The soil subgroup found at CPER is aridic argiustolls. The major soil series on the site include Vona, Ascalon, Renohill, Terry, Haverson, Nunn, Cascajo, Avar, Olney, Tassel, Playas, Shingle, Manter, and Bankard. [10]

Open water only makes up 0.01 km² (2.5 acres) or 0.02% of the total land cover at NEON's CPER site. The land is dominated by herbaceous grasslands which covers 62.67 km² (15,486 acres) or 98.5% of the total land cover at the site. [1]

The dominant vegetation at CPER is moderately grazed shortgrass steppe. Dominant plant species include blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), and plains prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha). [1]

The Pawnee National Grasslands is a unique ecosystem. Birds including the Colorado state bird the lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), mountain plover (Charadrius montanus), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), and various birds of prey can be found in the area. Mammals including the proghorn (Antilocapra americana), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote (Canis latrans), and swift fox (Vulpes velox) are also commonly found in the great plains of Colorado. AT CPER, NEON collects data on beetles, mosquitoes, ticks, birds, and small mammals. [1] [7]

CPER has a long history of research. Grazing and soil erosion studies that started in the 1930s are still underway. CPER served as part of the of the Shortgrass Steppe LTER from 1982-2014. Cattle and burrowing animals such as the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) play dominant roles in ecosystem function and maintenance. NEON TOS Plots were allocated across the site following NEON standard criteria and to avoid existing research. [1] [8]

The land is managed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The mission of the ARS is to study agricultural issues in the U.S. ARS is active in the science community - it participates in 600 research projects within 15 national programs and conducts research at over 90 research locations, including work outside of the U.S. [9]

Plots were established at NEON's CPER site in December 2014. In March 2014 the site went under a sampling readiness review. TOS sampling began at the site in October 2014. The TIS tower also was completed in 2014 and began collecting data that year.