Santa Catalina Gradient Field Trip

Goals:

  1. to complete a research project which involves observing biotic community changes associated with changes in climate
  2. to observe ephemeral pond communities in tinaja pools
  3. to observe the rocks/rock types that compose Santa Catalina Mountains
  4. to observe joint planes that control erosional phenomena called hoodoos & associated chaparral
  5. to observe the B&R topographic phenomena of sky islands from the vantage points offered by Mt. Lemmon

 

Stop 1 Babat Duag overlook (Information only)

Sonoran desert vegetation

Basin & Range topography/Sky Island biotic communities

historical context

adiabatic lapse rate

metamorphic core complex, mylonites; relationship with Tucson Mtns

Stop 2 Molino Basin (Information + DATA COLLECTION SITE)

tinaja pools: canyon tree frogs, insects

riparian community

Stop 3 Bear Canyon (Information + bathroom stop + lunch?)

titmouse, nuthatch, junco

2 pines; 3 oaks

closed canopy

cold air drainage

Stop 4 General Hitchcock (DATA COLLECTION SITE)

Stop 5 Summerhaven (DATA COLLECTION SITE)

Stop 6 Ski Valley (Information only - if time permits)

relict subalpine biotic community at summit

Stop 7 Windy Point overview (Information only - if time permits)

hoodoos, joints, physical weathering

sclerophyll chapparal (convergent evolution)