Applications for predicting precipitation and vegetation patterns at landscape scale using lightning strike data

Abstract

Previous publications discussed the results of my dissertation research on relationships between seasonality in precipitation and vegetation patterns at landscape scale. Summer precipitation at a study site in the Zuni Mountains, NM, was predicted from lightning strike and relative humidity data using multiple regression. Summer precipitation patterns were mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Winter precipitation and vegetative cover were obtained from the Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES). Finally, winter and summer precipitation amounts and their percent of annual precipitation were compared to grass and tree cover. Results indicated that winter precipitation influenced tree cover. Grass cover dominated by Bouteloua gracilis was most closely related to summer precipitation. Grass cover dominated by Festuca arizonica was most closely related to winter precipitation. This manuscript presents a synthesis of the dissertation research. It discusses how land managers can use lightning strike data and TES information. Ecosystem management applications for predicting precipitation and vegetation patterns at landscape scale are explored. For example, vegetation regeneration may be more successful if precipitation patterns are known. Understanding relationships between vegetation and precipitation patterns can also be used to assess the behavior of fire and for restoring disturbed areas. Additional research at landscape scale could improve our understanding of potential changes in vegetation patterns due to climatic warming.

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