Abstract:
Field work was carried out to add to the creation of a dynamic geographic information system in which the specific observations about patterns and processes of the physical environment, plus observations of the presence of particular organisms and their interactions, were mapped and linked with computer models that allow prediction into as-yet unsampled locations and scenarios for future change in
... conditions. Automatic weather stations were established in the Garwood Valley (southeast shore of Lake Colleen) and Miers Valley (west of the northwest shore of Lake Miers) measuring air temperature, relative humidity and dewpoint, incident solar radiation, average wind direction and speed and wind gusts, and soil temperatures at 1cm and 5cm depth for two calendar years (2008 and 2009). A digital camera on a timer unit was established at Lake Colleen to record patterns of snow distribution and surface soil wetting during two calendar years. A network of dust samplers was installed on the west, south and east sides of Lake Colleen and the north, west, south and east sides of Lake Miers. The dust samplers record the dispersal of dust and organic material around the lakes during two calendar years. Soil samples were collected in the Garwood Valley for lab trials of methods to determine soil biodiversity and nutrient levels. 
