NPS
PROJECT SUMMARY
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Cooperative Agreement Modification
FUNDING AGENCY: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MODIFICATION NUMBER:
NAU-84: MODIFICATION NUMBER 1:
CONTINUATION OF TASK AGREEMENT NAU84
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO.:
1200-99-009
FUNDING AMOUNT:
FY2003 = $14,500
INVESTIGATORS Contact Information:
Principal Investigator: Dr. Thomas G. Whitham (PI)
Department of Biological Sciences
Northern Arizona University
(928) 523-7215
Thomas.Whittam@nau.edu
Co-Investigator:
Dr. Catherine Gehring
Department of Biological Sciences
Northern Arizona University
(928) 523Catherine.Gehring@nau.edu
Co-Investigator:
Dr. George Koch
Northern Arizona University
Department of Biological Sciences
(928) 523George.Koch@nau.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Modification #1: Continuation of Task Agreement NAU-84: Assess Vegetation Succession and
Disturbance Impacts within Recent Volcanic Cinder Terrain Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Coconino National
Forest, Arizona
EFFECTIVE DATES: Aug 2003 - Dec 2005
PROJECT ABSTRACT: NPS
resource specialists are concerned that ecological processes within the harsh cinder environment may be
hindered by sustained human disturbance. Localized areas within the monument are receiving heavy off-trail visitor use. During the
1970’s, the USFS designated 55 sq. km. (13,500 acre) adjacent to the southeastern boundary of the monument as the Cinder Hills Off
Road Vehicle Area (ORV). In addition, primitive roads through the surrounding Coconino NF provide vehicle access to
approximately 9 of the total 11 km. (5½ of the total 7 mi.) of boundary around the monument. Approximately 25% of the geologic
features associated with the entire Sunset “Ring-of-Fire” eruption, and much of the monument’s scenic viewshed are within the ORV
area. Off-road-vehicle use is occurring well beyond the designated ORV area boundary. Vehicles have trespassed within the
monument, even though the monument boundary is fenced and well-posted. The proposed research should focus upon one or more of
the following topics as NPS funding and NAU in-kind contributions allow:

What are the comparative stages of vegetation succession on local cinder cones of varying age in proximity to Sunset
Volcano NM?

How does vegetation “patch” size affect the stability of localized vegetation “islands” on the youngest volcanic terrain?

How do pioneer species, such as Fallugia paradoxa, locally affect soil conditions, and function as “nurse” plants for other
species, such as ponderosa and pinyon pine?

How does soil temperature and moisture vary at different depths along existing slope/aspect gradients, and within vegetation
patches of various sizes?

How are mutualistic mycorrhizal relationships distributed along the same environmental gradients?

Are pioneer/nurse plants, vegetation patch size, mutualistic mycorrhizal relationships, soil conditions, tree-water stress, and
plant mortality affected by physical disturbance from human trampling and/or off-road driving?

How would disruption of natural succession processes be magnified if current climatic drought conditions increase in
severity or frequency?
Agency Representative:
Ron Hiebert, NPS
Research Coordinator
CPCESU
Northern Arizona University
P.O. Box 5765
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5765
Tel: (928) 523-0877
Fax: (928) 520-8223
Ron.Hiebert@nau.edu
Agency Administration
Representative
Lynell Wright
Budget Assistant
Intermountain Support Office
Denver, CO 80225-0287
Tel: (303) 969-2654
Lynell_Wright@nps.gov
Investigator:
Dr. Thomas G. Whitham
Department of Biological
Sciences, Northern Arizona
University
(928) 523-7215
Thomas.Whittam@nau.edu
NAU Admin. Contact:
Wilma Ennenga
Director, Office of Grant
and Contract Services
Northern Arizona
University
P.O. Box 4130
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Tel: (928) 523-8319
Fax: (928) 523-1075
List of Key Words: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, volcanic terrain, off-road-vehicle
NPS Key Official:
Paul Whitefield
Natural Resource Specialist
Flagstaff Area National Monuments
6400 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
(928) 526-1157 ext.235
Paul_Whitefield@nps.gov
Annual Report Received:
Final Report Received:
Publications on File:
This Modification is subject to all the provisions included in the Cooperative Agreement, dated 6/22/99.
Attach any supporting material as necessary.