Abstract
Water availability is the major limiting factor of the functioning of deserts and grasslands and is going to be severely modified by climate change. Field manipulative experiments of precipitation represent the best way to explore cause‐effect relationships between water availability and ecosystem functioning. However, there is a limited number of that type of studies because of logistic and cost limitations. Here, we report on a new system that alters precipitation for experimental plots from 80% reduction to 80% increase relative to ambient, that is low cost, and is fully solar powered. This two‐part system consists of a rainout shelter that intercepts water and sends it to a temporary storage tank, from where a solar‐powered pump then sends the water to sprinklers located in opposite corners of an irrigated plot. We tested this automated system for 5 levels of rainfall, reduction‐irrigation (50–80%) and controls with N = 3. The system showed high reduction/irrigation accuracy and small effect on temperature and photosynthetically active radiation. System average cost was $228 USD per module of 2.5 m by 2.5 m and required low maintenance.
Highlights
Manipulative experiments are unique tools for studying causality of potential ecosystem responses to climate change (Sala et al 2000) and constitute the basis for assessment and modeling of the response of ecosystem functioning to global climate change (Leuzinger et al 2011)
Precipitation manipulation experiments become a key tool for scientists working towards a better understanding of the consequences of climate change on the functioning of ecosystems
Flow meter readings are a reliable metric of irrigation effectiveness because there is no other source of water than the rainout shelter, and all of the water running through the flow meter is ensured to get into the irrigated plot
Summary
Manipulative experiments are unique tools for studying causality of potential ecosystem responses to climate change (Sala et al 2000) and constitute the basis for assessment and modeling of the response of ecosystem functioning to global climate change (Leuzinger et al 2011). Such experiments are relatively scarce because of expense and logistical constraints. Precipitation manipulation experiments become a key tool for scientists working towards a better understanding of the consequences of climate change on the functioning of ecosystems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
