On our first trip in October, we plan to accomplish the following research activities: 1) Set up a precipitation sampling station at the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx. 2) Dig three soil pits up to 1 m at the locations described above (Creosote, Joshua Tree, and Q6). We will describe the soil and take photographs. We will collect soil samples for soil water (100 mL of soil collected at 4 depths: 10 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm). We will also attempt to augur the soil at those locations in order to establish future sampling protocols.

Approved