Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://environment.yale.edu/publications/journal-article/ecologically-relevant-moisture-and-temperature-metrics-assessing" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="521231168464851" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@YaleEnvironment" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/yse/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <title>Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics | Yale School of the Environment</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_16tHPWz6B82mNW0q4xHJDuBer01QtT6odAxRP_6S0W4.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJx9ktFuwzAIRX-oWqfugxCxccrqGAtw0-zr56ia-jCnr9wDvheMZuTA5ZuCi56D2Ue4UriRToIawVasoDxfHVwgU_IT_m-hPMkKKrJAEoWEJWyQudyAgxQbtaSWs9PDQcla9iEjd1LlSIBWexUUnQXuvSKQ-PG2xa9KBK12uZB281VGfCU1Kd36ClMrMRP8TRg6qiqJO5QIvSmB8Q9F0JbH-LoZr9v8XIX5doBt1iPG2DdhZIAlgujcCo-3stNRQluoHAOZzbnM79Ps4EKR8VicsT_TXmPg8nn5OsJf1JxlwnzEVZz7SUJT7RGAnZZDsk2Zw3728S_aGRfJztVOtlkfdZ7Q6NSF89PEL6nHJ8M" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_IBhEAaerSvgZboX5SEFlBfnh2VijHEtDFOSkrMnJp5c.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJx9ktFuwzAIRX-oWqfugxCxccrqGAtw0-zr56ia-jCnr9wDvheMZuTA5ZuCi56D2Ue4UriRToIawVasoDxfHVwgU_IT_m-hPMkKKrJAEoWEJWyQudyAgxQbtaSWs9PDQcla9iEjd1LlSIBWexUUnQXuvSKQ-PG2xa9KBK12uZB281VGfCU1Kd36ClMrMRP8TRg6qiqJO5QIvSmB8Q9F0JbH-LoZr9v8XIX5doBt1iPG2DdhZIAlgujcCo-3stNRQluoHAOZzbnM79Ps4EKR8VicsT_TXmPg8nn5OsJf1JxlwnzEVZz7SUJT7RGAnZZDsk2Zw3728S_aGRfJztVOtlkfdZ7Q6NSF89PEL6nHJ8M" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/asset_injector/css/checkerboard_swap_right_to_left-893976609baf9540d476fd122e5c0bc4.css?srks8d" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_FrCIWUSy-U-S2Gktqjs01Xc9YFn_5Xp21L5juCG40DY.css?delta=3&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJx9ktFuwzAIRX-oWqfugxCxccrqGAtw0-zr56ia-jCnr9wDvheMZuTA5ZuCi56D2Ue4UriRToIawVasoDxfHVwgU_IT_m-hPMkKKrJAEoWEJWyQudyAgxQbtaSWs9PDQcla9iEjd1LlSIBWexUUnQXuvSKQ-PG2xa9KBK12uZB281VGfCU1Kd36ClMrMRP8TRg6qiqJO5QIvSmB8Q9F0JbH-LoZr9v8XIX5doBt1iPG2DdhZIAlgujcCo-3stNRQluoHAOZzbnM79Ps4EKR8VicsT_TXmPg8nn5OsJf1JxlwnzEVZz7SUJT7RGAnZZDsk2Zw3728S_aGRfJztVOtlkfdZ7Q6NSF89PEL6nHJ8M" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/asset_injector/css/yse_megamenu_overrides_2023-15c68c1fd5ebad534b888f2edac3c5ab.css?srks8d" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_WDjB_DW45yJIPEFBg4AlmlShNTj-NWGZL43-gnUXFnc.css?delta=5&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJx9ktFuwzAIRX-oWqfugxCxccrqGAtw0-zr56ia-jCnr9wDvheMZuTA5ZuCi56D2Ue4UriRToIawVasoDxfHVwgU_IT_m-hPMkKKrJAEoWEJWyQudyAgxQbtaSWs9PDQcla9iEjd1LlSIBWexUUnQXuvSKQ-PG2xa9KBK12uZB281VGfCU1Kd36ClMrMRP8TRg6qiqJO5QIvSmB8Q9F0JbH-LoZr9v8XIX5doBt1iPG2DdhZIAlgujcCo-3stNRQluoHAOZzbnM79Ps4EKR8VicsT_TXmPg8nn5OsJf1JxlwnzEVZz7SUJT7RGAnZZDsk2Zw3728S_aGRfJztVOtlkfdZ7Q6NSF89PEL6nHJ8M" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/asset_injector/css/yse_publications-20d4cfcf7a51ec988519454daf827f24.css?srks8d" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_aMxQhbojTUHr1PWG0Y3_HwyHnx_MmyOO54SOJ8xHazo.css?delta=7&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJx9ktFuwzAIRX-oWqfugxCxccrqGAtw0-zr56ia-jCnr9wDvheMZuTA5ZuCi56D2Ue4UriRToIawVasoDxfHVwgU_IT_m-hPMkKKrJAEoWEJWyQudyAgxQbtaSWs9PDQcla9iEjd1LlSIBWexUUnQXuvSKQ-PG2xa9KBK12uZB281VGfCU1Kd36ClMrMRP8TRg6qiqJO5QIvSmB8Q9F0JbH-LoZr9v8XIX5doBt1iPG2DdhZIAlgujcCo-3stNRQluoHAOZzbnM79Ps4EKR8VicsT_TXmPg8nn5OsJf1JxlwnzEVZz7SUJT7RGAnZZDsk2Zw3728S_aGRfJztVOtlkfdZ7Q6NSF89PEL6nHJ8M" /> <script src="/themes/yse/assets/js/dist/modernizr.js?v=3.11.7"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-787834-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); </script>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-THKV4HP9QY"></script>  <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-THKV4HP9QY'); </script> <script async="async" src="https://apply.environment.yale.edu/ping">/**/</script> </head> <body> <div class="skip-link"> <a href="#main-menu" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main site navigation</a> <a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="page "> <header class="site-header"> <div class='site-header__menu-container site-header__sticky-container '> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="site-header__overflow-scroll-background"> <a class="site-header__logo" href="/"> <svg role="img" height="28" aria-labelledby="logotitle" viewBox="0 0 510 28" width="510" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title id="logotitle">Yale School of the Environment</title><g fill-rule="evenodd"><path d="m60.0870228 15.8221538c0-2.0827692-1.2986084-3.9695384-3.1054617-3.9695384-1.9662181 0-3.3402018 1.5723077-3.8118358 4.0492308zm3.8527538 8.6476924c-2.2418763 2.044-4.0896475 3.3793846-7.3114025 3.3793846-4.128412 0-7.309249-3.2609231-7.309249-7.8206154 0-5.5827692 3.4198843-9.3950769 8.2525168-9.3950769 3.8915183 0 6.0515585 2.2012307 6.0515585 5.6990769v.7086154l-10.6106864-.0796923c-.0775288.432923-.1184468 1.1393846-.1184468 2.0052307 0 4.0083077 2.5153809 6.6424616 5.8577363 6.6424616 2.002829 0 3.0257793-.7064616 4.5978923-2.044zm-16.7419273 3.064923h-8.7263043v-.9046154c1.7680888-.1163076 2.2784871-.5104615 2.5929097-1.1781538v-20.36030769c0-1.33753846-.1959757-1.88676923-2.9073324-2.12153846v-.7883077l7.1908021-1.80707692.2368938.66769231-1.1392436 1.41507692v22.99446154c.3919515.7861538 1.1392436 1.0618462 2.7522747 1.1781538zm-16.0764713-8.1738461c-1.0207967.4695384-3.5361776 1.5723077-4.6388104 2.1215384-.1550577.6289231-.2735046 1.1803077-.2735046 2.044 0 1.1781539.6676097 2.3584616 1.9640646 2.3584616 1.1801616 0 1.8477712-.3941539 2.9094859-1.2190769zm6.9969799 6.2870769c-.865739 1.0230769-2.3990876 2.24-3.7730714 2.24-2.1234294 0-3.1442261-1.4516923-3.2239085-2.4747692-1.3352193 1.4150769-3.0645437 2.4747692-4.7163392 2.4747692-2.1212759 0-3.9302827-1.2966154-3.9302827-3.5366154 0-1.1006154.2756582-2.24.8269746-3.1446154l7.8196473-2.828v-2.9098461c0-1.7683077-.824821-3.4590769-2.5929098-3.4590769-1.0617147 0-2.0825114 1.2966153-2.1621939 3.3018461l-3.5383311.5901539v-.3941539c1.1801615-3.5366154 5.0716798-4.9129231 6.9582155-4.9129231 3.5770956 0 4.8713969 1.8867693 4.834786 4.7944616l-.1184468 8.2556923c-.0409181 1.6110769.8248209 2.0030769 1.6108775 2.0030769.6288452 0 1.2576904-.392 2.0049825-1.1393846zm-12.1052706-22.08984615c-2.1234294.0796923-3.4995668.78615384-4.5612815 2.59538461l-6.4822744 10.92646154v7.3489231c.7451385 1.7704615 2.6316742 2.0073846 4.440681 2.0849231v1.020923h-12.69319781v-1.020923c1.80469966-.0775385 4.00781151-.3532308 4.59573871-1.5335385v-7.5858462l-6.60287484-11.16338458c-1.13709-1.88676923-2.23972272-2.5156923-4.44068102-2.67292307v-1.02092308h11.04355586v1.02092308c-2.0803578.11846153-2.75012104.51046153-3.33804825.98430769l6.12908735 10.61199996 6.0127941-10.57323073c-.6288452-.47169231-1.4536662-.90461539-3.5361776-1.02307692v-1.02092308h9.4326784z"/><path d="m81.2954742 27.9052308c-2.0889722 0-3.8053751-.6052308-4.8520147-1.0446154l-.4694804-4.4110769h.7408314c.2347401 1.076923 1.0444861 2.492 1.9856003 3.1984615.6396131.4738462 1.8865357 1.1803077 2.9999363 1.1803077 2.1557331 0 3.2992839-1.3483077 3.2992839-2.8301539 0-1.8867692-1.2103117-2.3907692-3.2325229-3.232923-3.8053751-1.6175385-5.1535159-2.5953846-5.1535159-5.1541539 0-2.8646154 2.8642608-4.8181538 6.6674823-4.8181538 1.7853174 0 3.1679155.4716923 4.0767261.8766154v4.2775384h-.7063741c-.1012183-1.1458461-.5383949-2.492-1.51612-3.0993846-.3704157-.2347692-1.4149018-.9089231-2.5929098-.9089231-2.1234294 0-3.2023728 1.3138462-3.2023728 2.5932308 0 1.7187692.8786605 2.4252308 3.4715703 3.4375385 3.5361776 1.412923 4.9489257 2.5243077 4.9489257 5.0184615 0 3.0649231-2.8944109 4.9172308-6.4650457 4.9172308"/><path d="m106.451437 22.7532308-.908811 4.2086154c-1.953296.6073846-2.595063.9110769-5.6596068.9110769-5.3193415 0-9.1613274-3.8058462-9.1613274-8.6584616 0-4.9516923 4.0767261-8.3870769 9.2302419-8.3870769 2.5584523 0 3.9733543.4716923 5.9288043.9433846v4.4476923h-.710681c-.099065-1.148-.570699-2.4273846-1.513966-3.0326153-.469481-.3381539-1.649642-1.2793847-3.941051-1.2793847-3.6718531 0-5.7608253 3.0627693-5.7608253 6.7027693 0 4.7836923 2.6962816 8.1523077 6.9754443 8.1523077 1.378291 0 2.356016-.5729231 2.795346-.9433847 1.007875-.7753846 1.716403-1.988 1.953297-3.2006153z"/><path d="m128.325344 27.5347692h-7.882101v-.740923c1.180162-.0323077 2.222494-.3704616 2.491692-.8766154v-6.0609231h-8.756455v6.0609231c.202437.5061538 1.313684.8443077 2.459388.8766154v.740923h-7.813187v-.740923c1.143551-.0323077 2.256952-.3704616 2.457235-.8766154v-13.1707693c-.200283-.504-1.313684-.84-2.457235-.908923v-.6741539h7.813187v.6741539c-1.145704.068923-2.256951.404923-2.459388.908923v5.727077h8.756455v-5.727077c-.269198-.504-1.31153-.84-2.491692-.908923v-.6741539h7.882101v.6741539c-1.178008.068923-2.222494.404923-2.491691.908923v13.1707693c.269197.5061538 1.313683.8443077 2.491691.8766154z"/><path d="m138.169356 11.9387692c-2.42493 0-4.7831 2.6944616-4.7831 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.256952 8.1178462 6.29922 8.1178462 2.558453 0 4.95108-2.5953847 4.95108-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.493845-8.1523077-6.4672-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.190126 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143488-8.624 9.329307-8.624 5.254734 0 8.185756 3.6055384 8.185756 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329307 8.792z"/><path d="m158.664973 11.9387692c-2.424931 0-4.780947 2.6944616-4.780947 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.254798 8.1178462 6.297067 8.1178462 2.560606 0 4.951079-2.5953847 4.951079-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.491691-8.1523077-6.467199-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.187973 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143487-8.624 9.33146-8.624 5.254734 0 8.183602 3.6055384 8.183602 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329306 8.792z"/><path d="m183.88985 27.5347692h-14.146864v-.740923c1.044486-.0667693 2.627367-.336 2.965479-1.1781539v-12.8692308c-.202436-.504-1.315837-.8076923-2.459388-.8766153v-.7064616h8.047927v.7064616c-1.143551.068923-2.491692.4070769-2.694128.9110769v13.5089231l4.649578-.1356924c1.75086-.0667692 2.896565-1.7187692 2.931022-3.8726153h.706374z"/><path d="m201.745178 11.9387692c-2.424931 0-4.7831 2.6944616-4.7831 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.256951 8.1178462 6.29922 8.1178462 2.560606 0 4.951079-2.5953847 4.951079-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.491691-8.1523077-6.467199-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.187973 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143487-8.624 9.329307-8.624 5.256887 0 8.185756 3.6055384 8.185756 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329307 8.792z"/><path d="m225.876037 15.3073846h-.708528c-.101218-2.2572308-1.042332-2.8624615-2.963325-2.8624615h-3.637396v6.3667692l3.503874-.1356923c1.684099-.0667692 2.42493-.1012308 2.65967-1.988h.671917v5.5246154h-.706374c-.200283-2.0870769-.874353-2.1215385-2.625213-2.1215385l-3.503874-.0344615v5.4578461c.335958.8421539 1.817621 1.2126154 2.997783 1.2793847v.740923h-8.622933v-.740923c1.145704-.0667693 2.392627-.3015385 2.728585-1.1458462v-12.8003077c-.23474-.5707692-1.414901-.9089231-2.592909-.9412308v-.7430769h10.64299c.572852 0 1.14355-.0323077 1.513966-.168h.641767z"/><path d="m252.250925 15.8458462h-.671916c-.066761-2.1883077-1.246923-3.3341539-3.101155-3.3686154l-2.760889-.0323077v12.9338461c.572852 1.2126154 1.987754 1.3483077 3.167916 1.415077v.740923h-9.299157v-.740923c1.180162-.0667693 2.864261-.3015385 3.234677-1.0446154v-13.3043077l-2.763043.0323077c-1.849925.0344615-3.030086 1.1803077-3.064544 3.3686154h-.706374v-4.8827693h.639613c.335959.0990769.674071.2003077 1.51612.2003077h11.653019c.60731 0 1.180162-.1012308 1.51612-.2003077h.639613z"/><path d="m274.450023 27.5347692h-7.882101v-.740923c1.180162-.0323077 2.222494-.3704616 2.491692-.8766154v-6.0609231h-8.756455v6.0609231c.200283.5061538 1.313684.8443077 2.457235.8766154v.740923h-7.813187v-.740923c1.143551-.0323077 2.256951-.3704616 2.459388-.8766154v-13.1707693c-.202437-.504-1.315837-.84-2.459388-.908923v-.6741539h7.813187v.6741539c-1.143551.068923-2.256952.404923-2.457235.908923v5.727077h8.756455v-5.727077c-.269198-.504-1.31153-.84-2.491692-.908923v-.6741539h7.882101v.6741539c-1.180161.068923-2.222494.404923-2.491691.908923v13.1707693c.269197.5061538 1.31153.8443077 2.491691.8766154z"/><path d="m291.191951 27.5347692h-8.655236l-5.827587.0689231v-.7086154c1.180162-.0667692 2.931022-.4027692 3.26698-1.2470769v-12.9015385c-.200282-.504-1.313683-.8076923-2.491691-.8766153v-.7064616h10.64299c.708528 0 1.178008-.0667692 1.51612-.168h.607309v4.312h-.676224c-.101218-2.2572308-1.007875-2.8624615-2.963325-2.8624615h-3.738614v6.0975384h3.503874c1.75086 0 2.459388-.0344615 2.694128-1.9212307h.639613v5.3221538h-.67407c-.200283-2.0547692-.773135-2.0870769-2.659671-2.0870769h-3.503874v5.5569231c.066761.336.202436.7086154.67407.8766154l4.074573-.0667693c1.718556-.0344615 2.864261-.7753846 2.931022-2.9658461h.639613z"/><path d="m315.212977 27.5347692h-8.65739l-5.827586.0689231v-.7086154c1.180162-.0667692 2.931022-.4027692 3.269134-1.2470769v-12.9015385c-.202437-.504-1.315837-.8076923-2.493845-.8766153v-.7064616h10.645143c.706374 0 1.178008-.0667692 1.513967-.168h.607309v4.312h-.67407c-.101219-2.2572308-1.010029-2.8624615-2.963326-2.8624615h-3.740767v6.0975384h3.503874c1.753013 0 2.459387-.0344615 2.694128-1.9212307h.639613v5.3221538h-.671917c-.202437-2.0547692-.775289-2.0870769-2.661824-2.0870769h-3.503874v5.5569231c.068914.336.202436.7086154.67407.8766154l4.074572-.0667693c1.718557-.0344615 2.864261-.7753846 2.933176-2.9658461h.639613z"/><path d="m337.069656 11.8698462c-1.178008.068923-2.222494.6073846-2.491692 1.148v9.868923c0 1.3806154.066761 3.739077.167979 4.8504616h-1.548423l-10.003377-12.2618462-1.113401-1.6498461.103372 1.5163077v5.8950769c0 1.4129231.133522 3.3686154.167979 4.4455384.23474.5061539 1.681946 1.0446154 2.862107 1.1113847v.740923h-7.106812v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.323712-.6052308 2.526149-1.1113847v-9.2292307c0-1.2793846 0-2.5609231-.101219-3.5043077-.269197-.5384616-1.313683-1.0101539-2.457234-1.0790769v-.7064616h5.18582l1.449359 1.8544616 8.353735 10.2738461v-5.8950769c0-1.4150769-.101218-3.6055385-.135676-4.3787692-.236893-.5406154-1.718556-1.079077-2.898718-1.148v-.7064616h7.040052z"/><path d="m357.253003 11.8698462c-1.143551.068923-2.289255.5750769-2.659671 1.4495384l-5.963261 14.4846154h-1.884382l-5.086755-14.7193846c-.269198-.7753846-1.651796-1.1113846-2.829804-1.2147692v-.7064616h8.353735v.7064616c-1.145704.068923-2.356016.3726153-2.59291.9110769l3.973355 11.6889231 4.444988-11.3852308c-.23474-.6396923-1.54627-1.1458462-2.694128-1.2147692v-.7064616h6.938833z"/><path d="m367.344677 27.5347692h-8.151299v-.740923c1.212466-.0667693 2.424931-.4027693 2.627367-.9089231v-13.104c-.202436-.504-1.414901-.8421539-2.627367-.9110769v-.7064616h8.151299v.7064616c-1.212465.068923-2.424931.4070769-2.627367.9110769v13.104c.202436.5061538 1.414902.8421538 2.627367.9089231z"/><path d="m377.076703 12.1067692c-.370416 0-1.111247 0-1.649642.0344616v7.7150769h1.852078c2.526149 0 3.198066-1.7532308 3.198066-4.4132308 0-1.7855384-1.07679-3.3363077-3.400502-3.3363077zm11.351518 15.5636923-2.728586-.0344615c-2.526148-.0323077-2.65967.2024615-4.210248-1.7510769-1.819774-2.324-2.65967-3.8058462-3.503874-4.9516923h-2.558452v4.5467692c.335958.8421538 1.649642 1.2470769 2.793193 1.3138462v.740923h-8.418343v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.392627-.336 2.728585-1.1781539v-12.768c-.236893-.6052308-1.51612-.9089231-2.694128-.9778461v-.7064616c2.795347 0 4.647425-.1012308 7.610751-.1012308 4.210248 0 6.163544 1.3827693 6.163544 4.2796924 0 1.6153846-1.246922 3.3686153-3.200219 4.312l3.570635 4.7147692c.844203 1.1113846 1.651795 1.6843077 1.920993 1.8544615.605156.4027693 1.987754.6052308 2.627367.7064616z"/><path d="m396.725963 11.9387692c-2.424931 0-4.780947 2.6944616-4.780947 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.254798 8.1178462 6.297067 8.1178462 2.560606 0 4.951079-2.5953847 4.951079-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.491692-8.1523077-6.467199-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.187973 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143487-8.624 9.329306-8.624 5.256888 0 8.185756 3.6055384 8.185756 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329306 8.792z"/><path d="m427.110816 11.8698462c-1.178008.068923-2.224647.6073846-2.493845 1.148v9.868923c0 1.3806154.068915 3.739077.170133 4.8504616h-1.548424l-10.00553-12.2618462-1.111247-1.6498461.101218 1.5163077v5.8950769c0 1.4129231.135676 3.3686154.170133 4.4455384.23474.5061539 1.681945 1.0446154 2.862107 1.1113847v.740923h-7.106812v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.323712-.6052308 2.526148-1.1113847v-9.2292307c0-1.2793846 0-2.5609231-.101218-3.5043077-.269197-.5384616-1.313683-1.0101539-2.459388-1.0790769v-.7064616h5.18582l1.449359 1.8544616 8.353735 10.2738461v-5.8950769c0-1.4150769-.101218-3.6055385-.135676-4.3787692-.236893-.5406154-1.716403-1.079077-2.896564-1.148v-.7064616h7.040051z"/><path d="m451.732691 27.5347692h-7.983319v-.740923c1.180162-.0667693 2.493845-.4027693 2.696282-.9089231l-.506092-9.4316923-.034457-2.6966154-.807592 2.0547692-5.151363 11.7578462h-1.012182l-4.479445-12.2273846-.674071-2.0224616-.066761 1.82-.708527 10.5430769c.167979.5061539 1.414901 1.0446154 2.560606 1.1113847v.740923h-6.704093v-.740923c1.180161-.0667693 2.293562-.6052308 2.595063-1.1113847l.706374-9.2292307c.068915-.9433846.202436-2.7633846.202436-2.8646154 0-.168 0-.5384616-.034457-.8421539-.269197-.4027692-1.143551-.8076923-2.289255-.8766153v-.7064616h5.760825l.839896 2.4596923 3.671854 10.1381539 4.212401-9.9033846 1.109094-2.6944616h5.155669v.7064616c-1.180162.068923-2.054515.4393846-2.291409.8443076v.6052308c0 .2692308.135676 2.2916923.16798 3.1338462l.538395 9.4316923c.303654.5061538 1.382598.8421538 2.526148.9089231z"/><path d="m468.341097 27.5347692h-8.655236l-5.827587.0689231v-.7086154c1.178008-.0667692 2.931022-.4027692 3.26698-1.2470769v-12.9015385c-.202436-.504-1.313683-.8076923-2.491691-.8766153v-.7064616h10.64299c.706374 0 1.178008-.0667692 1.513966-.168h.609463v4.312h-.676223c-.101219-2.2572308-1.010029-2.8624615-2.963326-2.8624615h-3.738614v6.0975384h3.503874c1.75086 0 2.457234-.0344615 2.694128-1.9212307h.639613v5.3221538h-.67407c-.202437-2.0547692-.773135-2.0870769-2.659671-2.0870769h-3.503874v5.5569231c.066761.336.202436.7086154.671917.8766154l4.076726-.0667693c1.718556-.0344615 2.864261-.7753846 2.931022-2.9658461h.639613z"/><path d="m490.202083 11.8698462c-1.178008.068923-2.224648.6073846-2.493845 1.148v9.868923c0 1.3806154.068914 3.739077.167979 4.8504616h-1.54627l-10.005531-12.2618462-1.111247-1.6498461.101218 1.5163077v5.8950769c0 1.4129231.135676 3.3686154.170133 4.4455384.23474.5061539 1.681946 1.0446154 2.862107 1.1113847v.740923h-7.106812v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.323712-.6052308 2.526149-1.1113847v-9.2292307c0-1.2793846 0-2.5609231-.101219-3.5043077-.269197-.5384616-1.315837-1.0101539-2.459387-1.0790769v-.7064616h5.185819l1.449359 1.8544616 8.353735 10.2738461v-5.8950769c0-1.4150769-.101218-3.6055385-.133522-4.3787692-.239047-.5406154-1.718556-1.079077-2.898718-1.148v-.7064616h7.040052z"/><path d="m508.761631 15.8458462h-.67407c-.066761-2.1883077-1.246923-3.3341539-3.099001-3.3686154l-2.763043-.0323077v12.9338461c.572852 1.2126154 1.987754 1.3483077 3.167916 1.415077v.740923h-9.297003v-.740923c1.180161-.0667693 2.864261-.3015385 3.234676-1.0446154v-13.3043077l-2.763042.0323077c-1.852079.0344615-3.03224 1.1803077-3.064544 3.3686154h-.706374v-4.8827693h.63746c.338112.0990769.67407.2003077 1.518273.2003077h11.653019c.605156 0 1.180162-.1012308 1.51612-.2003077h.639613z"/></g></svg> <span class="show-for-sr">Visit the Yale School of the Environment homepage</span> </a> <button class="hamburger hamburger--squeeze mobile-menu-button" data-button-open-text="Open the main menu" data-button-close-text="Close the main menu" data-button-enable-at="0" data-button-open-class="mobile-menu-open" > <span class="hamburger-box"> <span class="hamburger-inner"></span> </span> <span class="toggle-text show-for-sr"></span> </button> </div> <div class="site-header__main"> <div class="site-header__top"> <nav id="utility-menu" class="utility-menu"> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/forest-school" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5">The Forest School</a> <span class="tfs_tagline">Connecting people, forests, and forestry for a sustainable future</span> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/giving" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/52">Giving</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/alumni" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53">Alumni</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/news" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3850">News</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/events?group_type=35203" class="menu-item__link">Calendar</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://resources.environment.yale.edu/resources" class="menu-item__link">YSE Resources</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="site-search"> <button class="site-search__toggle" data-button-open-text="Open the search panel" data-button-close-text="Close the search panel" data-button-enable-at="1024" data-button-open-class="search-panel-open"> <span class="toggle-text show-for-sr">Open the search panel</span> </button> <form class="search-form search-block-form oho-search-api-form" data-drupal-selector="oho-search-api-form-2" action="/search/all/list" method="get" id="search-block-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-keys js-form-item-keys form-no-label"> <label for="edit-keys-3" class="visually-hidden">Search</label> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-keys" placeholder="Search…" type="text" id="ft" name="ft" value="" size="60" maxlength="128" class="form-text"> </div> <div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-keys-3--2"> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--2" name="op" value="Go" class="button js-form-submit form-submit"> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="site-header__bottom"> <nav id="main-menu" class="main-menu accessible-menu" data-menu-open-text="Open the %s menu quick" data-menu-close-text="Close the %s menu now" data-menu-link-text="%s Overview"> <ul data-region="primary_nav" class="menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item--expanded"> <a href="/academics" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/28">Academic Programs</a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/academics/masters" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34">Master’s Programs</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/academics/doctoral" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/30">Doctoral Program</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/academics/certificate-programs" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/31">Certificate Programs</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://resources.environment.yale.edu/courses" class="elf elf-external menu-item__link">Courses</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/academics/calendar" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3795">Academic Calendar</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--expanded"> <a href="/admissions" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48">Admissions</a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/admissions/masters" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/54">Master’s Admissions</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/admissions/masters/funding-your-degree" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/219">Funding Your Master’s Degree</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/admissions/doctoral" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/55">Doctoral Admissions</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/admissions/certificate-programs" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/60">Certificate Program Admissions</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/student-experience/campus" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/185">Visit Campus</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/admissions/why-choose-yse" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/216">Why Choose YSE?</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/admissions/admissions-viewbook" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3396">Viewbook</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--expanded"> <a href="/learning-communities" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/47">Learning Communities</a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/business" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/62">Business and the Environment</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/climate-change" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/63">Climate Change Science and Solutions</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/ecosystem" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/64">Ecosystem Management and Conservation</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/energy" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/65">Energy and the Environment</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/policy" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66">Environmental Policy Analysis</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/forestry" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67">Forestry</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/industrial-ecology-and-green-chemistry" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/68">Industrial Ecology and Green Chemistry</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/people-equity-and-environment" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/69">People, Equity, and the Environment</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/urban" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/70">Urban</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/learning-communities/water" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/71">Water Resource Science and Management</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--expanded"> <a href="/research" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49">Faculty & Research</a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/directory/faculty" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="profiles/faculty">Faculty</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/research/explore" title="Search publications, news, and faculty" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="research/explore">Explore Our Research</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/research/centers" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/86">Centers, Programs, and Initiatives</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/research/contacts" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/142">Research Contacts</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/research/environmental-leadership-and-mentoring-certificate-program" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3942">ELM Certificate for Postdocs</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--expanded"> <a href="/student-experience" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/50">Student Experience</a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/student-experience/student-life" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/188">Student Life</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://careers.environment.yale.edu" class="elf elf-external menu-item__link">Career and Professional Development</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/student-experience/campus" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/185">YSE Campus and Virtual Tours</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/student-experience/yale-campus" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/186">Yale Campus</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/student-experience/living-new-haven" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/187">Living in New Haven</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/student-experience/student-affairs" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/105">Student Affairs</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--expanded"> <a href="/about" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/51">About</a> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/about/message-dean" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4215">A Message From the Dean</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="https://environment.yale.edu/careers/for-employers" class="elf elf-external menu-item__link">Hire Our Graduates</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/about/leadership-team" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/56">Leadership Team</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/about/vision-and-mission" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/74">Vision and Mission</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/about/strategic-plan" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/57">Strategic Plan</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/our-campus" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/59">Our Campus</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/about/history" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/75">History</a> </li> <li class="menu-item"> <a href="/directory/search" title="YSE directory" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="directory/search">Directory</a> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/contact" class="menu-item__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2219">Contact</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="page-wrapper"> <main id="main-content" class="main-content"> <div id="block-yse-content"> <h1 class="show-for-sr">Publication</h1> <section class="hero section--global-spacing hero--no-img"> <div class="hero__background cream"></div> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="card card--large card--hero card--stacked" > <div class="card__content"> <div class="card__content__inner"> <div class="grid-x grid-margin-x text-margin-reset"> <div class="initial-12 medium-8 cell"> <ol class="breadcrumbs"> <li><a href="/research/explore" rel="nofollow">Explore Research</a></li> <li class="active">Publication</li> </ol> <h2>Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics</h2> <div class="intro-text global-spacing--small"> </div> </div> <div class="jump-nav-column initial-12 medium-4 cell"> <h2 class="eyebrow">On This Page</h2> <ol class="jump-nav" data-jump-nav-hide></ol> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-x grid-margin-x"> <div class="cell medium-10 medium-offset-1 large-8 large-offset-2">  <div class="article--info publication--details"> <div class="article--info__about"> <div class="eyebrow"><nobr>Publication Date</nobr></div> <div> APR</div> </div> <div class="article--info__tags"> <div class="eyebrow">Journal</div> <div>ECOHYDROLOGY</div> </div> </div> <div class="article--info publication--details"> <div class="article--info__about article--info__fullwidth"> <div class="eyebrow">Location</div> <div class="bibcite-doi"><a class="elf-external" href="https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2509" rel="nofollow">https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2509</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="article--info publication--details"> <div class="article--info__about article--info__fullwidth"> <div class="eyebrow">Citation</div> <div class="bibcite-citation"> <div class="csl-bib-body"><div class="csl-entry">Chenoweth, D. ., Schlaepfer, D. ., Chambers, J. ., Brown, J. ., Urza, A. ., Hanberry, B. ., … Bradford, J. . (2023). Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics. <i>ECOHYDROLOGY</i>, <i>16</i>(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2509 (Original work published 2025)</div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-x grid-margin-x"> <div class="cell medium-10 medium-offset-1 large-8 large-offset-2"> <div class="global-padding global-padding--large" data-jump-nav-heading="Abstract"> <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--full"> <div class="eyebrow">Abstract</div> <p>In drylands, water-limited regions that cover similar to 40% of the global land surface, ecosystems are primarily controlled by access to soil moisture and exposure to simultaneously hot and dry conditions. Quantifying ecologically relevant environmental metrics is difficult in drylands because the response of vegetation to moisture and temperature conditions is not easily explained solely by climate-based metrics. To address this knowledge gap, we developed and examined 27 climate and ecological drought metrics across dryland areas of the western United States. Included in the 27 metrics is a suite of 19 largely new "ecological drought metrics" that are designed to quantify multiple aspects of environmental limitation in drylands, including overall growing conditions, seasonal fluctuations, seasonal moisture timing, exposure to extreme drought and recruitment potential for perennial plants. To quantify these metrics, we simulated water balance pools and fluxes of daily soil moisture at multiple depths with historical weather from 1970 to 2010 using the SOILWAT2 ecosystem water balance model. We assessed the relationships among these metrics and their spatial and temporal patterns. We found that the inclusion of ecological drought metrics substantially increased the dimensionality of the climate metrics dataset; the number of independent variables needed to explain 90% of the variance in the dataset increased with the addition of ecological drought metrics. Spatial patterns in overall growing conditions represented well-known differences among ecoregions, for example, high temperatures and low precipitation in the southwest and cool temperatures and greater precipitation in the northeast. Seasonal fluctuation in soil water availability (SWA) was greatest in the southwest (Mojave Desert), whereas fluctuation in climatic water deficit (CWD) was greatest in the northwest (northern Great Basin and Columbia Plateau). Seasonal timing of moisture also differed among metrics; the timing of wet degree days (WDD), the timing of SWA and the timing of CWD were only weakly related to seasonal timing of precipitation. Plant recruitment metrics varied strongly across western drylands. In the Great Plains, recruitment events occurred more frequently and lasted longer than in the intermountain regions, where recruitment events were comparatively rare and short. These ecological drought metrics provide new insight into patterns of soil moisture and temperature that shape the structure and function of dryland ecosystems. The metrics will be useful for assessing the potential impact of climate change on dryland ecosystems and developing adaptive resource management strategies to sustain dryland ecosystem services in a changing world.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="bottom-nav "> <div class="bottom-nav__container"> <div class="bottom-nav__panels grid-x"> </div> <div class="bottom-nav__sock"> <div class="sock"> <div class="sock__box blue--dark topographic-map"> <div class="grid-x grid-margin-x"> <div class="cell"> <h2>Connect with us</h2> </div> </div> <ul class="grid-x grid-margin-x"> <li class="cell medium-4"><a href="https://apply.environment.yale.edu/register/inquiry/" class="btn btn--inverse"><span>Request Information</span></a></li> <li class="cell medium-4"><a href="https://apply.environment.yale.edu/portal/main-event-page" class="btn btn--inverse"><span>Register for Events</span></a></li> <li class="cell medium-4"><a href="/admissions" class="btn btn--inverse"><span>Apply</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="site-footer"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="site-footer__primary grid-x grid-margin-x"> <div class="cell medium-6"> <a class="site-footer__logo" href="/"> <svg role="img" height="28" aria-labelledby="logotitle" viewBox="0 0 510 28" width="510" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title id="logotitle">Yale School of the Environment</title><g fill-rule="evenodd"><path d="m60.0870228 15.8221538c0-2.0827692-1.2986084-3.9695384-3.1054617-3.9695384-1.9662181 0-3.3402018 1.5723077-3.8118358 4.0492308zm3.8527538 8.6476924c-2.2418763 2.044-4.0896475 3.3793846-7.3114025 3.3793846-4.128412 0-7.309249-3.2609231-7.309249-7.8206154 0-5.5827692 3.4198843-9.3950769 8.2525168-9.3950769 3.8915183 0 6.0515585 2.2012307 6.0515585 5.6990769v.7086154l-10.6106864-.0796923c-.0775288.432923-.1184468 1.1393846-.1184468 2.0052307 0 4.0083077 2.5153809 6.6424616 5.8577363 6.6424616 2.002829 0 3.0257793-.7064616 4.5978923-2.044zm-16.7419273 3.064923h-8.7263043v-.9046154c1.7680888-.1163076 2.2784871-.5104615 2.5929097-1.1781538v-20.36030769c0-1.33753846-.1959757-1.88676923-2.9073324-2.12153846v-.7883077l7.1908021-1.80707692.2368938.66769231-1.1392436 1.41507692v22.99446154c.3919515.7861538 1.1392436 1.0618462 2.7522747 1.1781538zm-16.0764713-8.1738461c-1.0207967.4695384-3.5361776 1.5723077-4.6388104 2.1215384-.1550577.6289231-.2735046 1.1803077-.2735046 2.044 0 1.1781539.6676097 2.3584616 1.9640646 2.3584616 1.1801616 0 1.8477712-.3941539 2.9094859-1.2190769zm6.9969799 6.2870769c-.865739 1.0230769-2.3990876 2.24-3.7730714 2.24-2.1234294 0-3.1442261-1.4516923-3.2239085-2.4747692-1.3352193 1.4150769-3.0645437 2.4747692-4.7163392 2.4747692-2.1212759 0-3.9302827-1.2966154-3.9302827-3.5366154 0-1.1006154.2756582-2.24.8269746-3.1446154l7.8196473-2.828v-2.9098461c0-1.7683077-.824821-3.4590769-2.5929098-3.4590769-1.0617147 0-2.0825114 1.2966153-2.1621939 3.3018461l-3.5383311.5901539v-.3941539c1.1801615-3.5366154 5.0716798-4.9129231 6.9582155-4.9129231 3.5770956 0 4.8713969 1.8867693 4.834786 4.7944616l-.1184468 8.2556923c-.0409181 1.6110769.8248209 2.0030769 1.6108775 2.0030769.6288452 0 1.2576904-.392 2.0049825-1.1393846zm-12.1052706-22.08984615c-2.1234294.0796923-3.4995668.78615384-4.5612815 2.59538461l-6.4822744 10.92646154v7.3489231c.7451385 1.7704615 2.6316742 2.0073846 4.440681 2.0849231v1.020923h-12.69319781v-1.020923c1.80469966-.0775385 4.00781151-.3532308 4.59573871-1.5335385v-7.5858462l-6.60287484-11.16338458c-1.13709-1.88676923-2.23972272-2.5156923-4.44068102-2.67292307v-1.02092308h11.04355586v1.02092308c-2.0803578.11846153-2.75012104.51046153-3.33804825.98430769l6.12908735 10.61199996 6.0127941-10.57323073c-.6288452-.47169231-1.4536662-.90461539-3.5361776-1.02307692v-1.02092308h9.4326784z"/><path d="m81.2954742 27.9052308c-2.0889722 0-3.8053751-.6052308-4.8520147-1.0446154l-.4694804-4.4110769h.7408314c.2347401 1.076923 1.0444861 2.492 1.9856003 3.1984615.6396131.4738462 1.8865357 1.1803077 2.9999363 1.1803077 2.1557331 0 3.2992839-1.3483077 3.2992839-2.8301539 0-1.8867692-1.2103117-2.3907692-3.2325229-3.232923-3.8053751-1.6175385-5.1535159-2.5953846-5.1535159-5.1541539 0-2.8646154 2.8642608-4.8181538 6.6674823-4.8181538 1.7853174 0 3.1679155.4716923 4.0767261.8766154v4.2775384h-.7063741c-.1012183-1.1458461-.5383949-2.492-1.51612-3.0993846-.3704157-.2347692-1.4149018-.9089231-2.5929098-.9089231-2.1234294 0-3.2023728 1.3138462-3.2023728 2.5932308 0 1.7187692.8786605 2.4252308 3.4715703 3.4375385 3.5361776 1.412923 4.9489257 2.5243077 4.9489257 5.0184615 0 3.0649231-2.8944109 4.9172308-6.4650457 4.9172308"/><path d="m106.451437 22.7532308-.908811 4.2086154c-1.953296.6073846-2.595063.9110769-5.6596068.9110769-5.3193415 0-9.1613274-3.8058462-9.1613274-8.6584616 0-4.9516923 4.0767261-8.3870769 9.2302419-8.3870769 2.5584523 0 3.9733543.4716923 5.9288043.9433846v4.4476923h-.710681c-.099065-1.148-.570699-2.4273846-1.513966-3.0326153-.469481-.3381539-1.649642-1.2793847-3.941051-1.2793847-3.6718531 0-5.7608253 3.0627693-5.7608253 6.7027693 0 4.7836923 2.6962816 8.1523077 6.9754443 8.1523077 1.378291 0 2.356016-.5729231 2.795346-.9433847 1.007875-.7753846 1.716403-1.988 1.953297-3.2006153z"/><path d="m128.325344 27.5347692h-7.882101v-.740923c1.180162-.0323077 2.222494-.3704616 2.491692-.8766154v-6.0609231h-8.756455v6.0609231c.202437.5061538 1.313684.8443077 2.459388.8766154v.740923h-7.813187v-.740923c1.143551-.0323077 2.256952-.3704616 2.457235-.8766154v-13.1707693c-.200283-.504-1.313684-.84-2.457235-.908923v-.6741539h7.813187v.6741539c-1.145704.068923-2.256951.404923-2.459388.908923v5.727077h8.756455v-5.727077c-.269198-.504-1.31153-.84-2.491692-.908923v-.6741539h7.882101v.6741539c-1.178008.068923-2.222494.404923-2.491691.908923v13.1707693c.269197.5061538 1.313683.8443077 2.491691.8766154z"/><path d="m138.169356 11.9387692c-2.42493 0-4.7831 2.6944616-4.7831 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.256952 8.1178462 6.29922 8.1178462 2.558453 0 4.95108-2.5953847 4.95108-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.493845-8.1523077-6.4672-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.190126 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143488-8.624 9.329307-8.624 5.254734 0 8.185756 3.6055384 8.185756 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329307 8.792z"/><path d="m158.664973 11.9387692c-2.424931 0-4.780947 2.6944616-4.780947 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.254798 8.1178462 6.297067 8.1178462 2.560606 0 4.951079-2.5953847 4.951079-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.491691-8.1523077-6.467199-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.187973 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143487-8.624 9.33146-8.624 5.254734 0 8.183602 3.6055384 8.183602 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329306 8.792z"/><path d="m183.88985 27.5347692h-14.146864v-.740923c1.044486-.0667693 2.627367-.336 2.965479-1.1781539v-12.8692308c-.202436-.504-1.315837-.8076923-2.459388-.8766153v-.7064616h8.047927v.7064616c-1.143551.068923-2.491692.4070769-2.694128.9110769v13.5089231l4.649578-.1356924c1.75086-.0667692 2.896565-1.7187692 2.931022-3.8726153h.706374z"/><path d="m201.745178 11.9387692c-2.424931 0-4.7831 2.6944616-4.7831 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.256951 8.1178462 6.29922 8.1178462 2.560606 0 4.951079-2.5953847 4.951079-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.491691-8.1523077-6.467199-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.187973 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143487-8.624 9.329307-8.624 5.256887 0 8.185756 3.6055384 8.185756 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329307 8.792z"/><path d="m225.876037 15.3073846h-.708528c-.101218-2.2572308-1.042332-2.8624615-2.963325-2.8624615h-3.637396v6.3667692l3.503874-.1356923c1.684099-.0667692 2.42493-.1012308 2.65967-1.988h.671917v5.5246154h-.706374c-.200283-2.0870769-.874353-2.1215385-2.625213-2.1215385l-3.503874-.0344615v5.4578461c.335958.8421539 1.817621 1.2126154 2.997783 1.2793847v.740923h-8.622933v-.740923c1.145704-.0667693 2.392627-.3015385 2.728585-1.1458462v-12.8003077c-.23474-.5707692-1.414901-.9089231-2.592909-.9412308v-.7430769h10.64299c.572852 0 1.14355-.0323077 1.513966-.168h.641767z"/><path d="m252.250925 15.8458462h-.671916c-.066761-2.1883077-1.246923-3.3341539-3.101155-3.3686154l-2.760889-.0323077v12.9338461c.572852 1.2126154 1.987754 1.3483077 3.167916 1.415077v.740923h-9.299157v-.740923c1.180162-.0667693 2.864261-.3015385 3.234677-1.0446154v-13.3043077l-2.763043.0323077c-1.849925.0344615-3.030086 1.1803077-3.064544 3.3686154h-.706374v-4.8827693h.639613c.335959.0990769.674071.2003077 1.51612.2003077h11.653019c.60731 0 1.180162-.1012308 1.51612-.2003077h.639613z"/><path d="m274.450023 27.5347692h-7.882101v-.740923c1.180162-.0323077 2.222494-.3704616 2.491692-.8766154v-6.0609231h-8.756455v6.0609231c.200283.5061538 1.313684.8443077 2.457235.8766154v.740923h-7.813187v-.740923c1.143551-.0323077 2.256951-.3704616 2.459388-.8766154v-13.1707693c-.202437-.504-1.315837-.84-2.459388-.908923v-.6741539h7.813187v.6741539c-1.143551.068923-2.256952.404923-2.457235.908923v5.727077h8.756455v-5.727077c-.269198-.504-1.31153-.84-2.491692-.908923v-.6741539h7.882101v.6741539c-1.180161.068923-2.222494.404923-2.491691.908923v13.1707693c.269197.5061538 1.31153.8443077 2.491691.8766154z"/><path d="m291.191951 27.5347692h-8.655236l-5.827587.0689231v-.7086154c1.180162-.0667692 2.931022-.4027692 3.26698-1.2470769v-12.9015385c-.200282-.504-1.313683-.8076923-2.491691-.8766153v-.7064616h10.64299c.708528 0 1.178008-.0667692 1.51612-.168h.607309v4.312h-.676224c-.101218-2.2572308-1.007875-2.8624615-2.963325-2.8624615h-3.738614v6.0975384h3.503874c1.75086 0 2.459388-.0344615 2.694128-1.9212307h.639613v5.3221538h-.67407c-.200283-2.0547692-.773135-2.0870769-2.659671-2.0870769h-3.503874v5.5569231c.066761.336.202436.7086154.67407.8766154l4.074573-.0667693c1.718556-.0344615 2.864261-.7753846 2.931022-2.9658461h.639613z"/><path d="m315.212977 27.5347692h-8.65739l-5.827586.0689231v-.7086154c1.180162-.0667692 2.931022-.4027692 3.269134-1.2470769v-12.9015385c-.202437-.504-1.315837-.8076923-2.493845-.8766153v-.7064616h10.645143c.706374 0 1.178008-.0667692 1.513967-.168h.607309v4.312h-.67407c-.101219-2.2572308-1.010029-2.8624615-2.963326-2.8624615h-3.740767v6.0975384h3.503874c1.753013 0 2.459387-.0344615 2.694128-1.9212307h.639613v5.3221538h-.671917c-.202437-2.0547692-.775289-2.0870769-2.661824-2.0870769h-3.503874v5.5569231c.068914.336.202436.7086154.67407.8766154l4.074572-.0667693c1.718557-.0344615 2.864261-.7753846 2.933176-2.9658461h.639613z"/><path d="m337.069656 11.8698462c-1.178008.068923-2.222494.6073846-2.491692 1.148v9.868923c0 1.3806154.066761 3.739077.167979 4.8504616h-1.548423l-10.003377-12.2618462-1.113401-1.6498461.103372 1.5163077v5.8950769c0 1.4129231.133522 3.3686154.167979 4.4455384.23474.5061539 1.681946 1.0446154 2.862107 1.1113847v.740923h-7.106812v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.323712-.6052308 2.526149-1.1113847v-9.2292307c0-1.2793846 0-2.5609231-.101219-3.5043077-.269197-.5384616-1.313683-1.0101539-2.457234-1.0790769v-.7064616h5.18582l1.449359 1.8544616 8.353735 10.2738461v-5.8950769c0-1.4150769-.101218-3.6055385-.135676-4.3787692-.236893-.5406154-1.718556-1.079077-2.898718-1.148v-.7064616h7.040052z"/><path d="m357.253003 11.8698462c-1.143551.068923-2.289255.5750769-2.659671 1.4495384l-5.963261 14.4846154h-1.884382l-5.086755-14.7193846c-.269198-.7753846-1.651796-1.1113846-2.829804-1.2147692v-.7064616h8.353735v.7064616c-1.145704.068923-2.356016.3726153-2.59291.9110769l3.973355 11.6889231 4.444988-11.3852308c-.23474-.6396923-1.54627-1.1458462-2.694128-1.2147692v-.7064616h6.938833z"/><path d="m367.344677 27.5347692h-8.151299v-.740923c1.212466-.0667693 2.424931-.4027693 2.627367-.9089231v-13.104c-.202436-.504-1.414901-.8421539-2.627367-.9110769v-.7064616h8.151299v.7064616c-1.212465.068923-2.424931.4070769-2.627367.9110769v13.104c.202436.5061538 1.414902.8421538 2.627367.9089231z"/><path d="m377.076703 12.1067692c-.370416 0-1.111247 0-1.649642.0344616v7.7150769h1.852078c2.526149 0 3.198066-1.7532308 3.198066-4.4132308 0-1.7855384-1.07679-3.3363077-3.400502-3.3363077zm11.351518 15.5636923-2.728586-.0344615c-2.526148-.0323077-2.65967.2024615-4.210248-1.7510769-1.819774-2.324-2.65967-3.8058462-3.503874-4.9516923h-2.558452v4.5467692c.335958.8421538 1.649642 1.2470769 2.793193 1.3138462v.740923h-8.418343v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.392627-.336 2.728585-1.1781539v-12.768c-.236893-.6052308-1.51612-.9089231-2.694128-.9778461v-.7064616c2.795347 0 4.647425-.1012308 7.610751-.1012308 4.210248 0 6.163544 1.3827693 6.163544 4.2796924 0 1.6153846-1.246922 3.3686153-3.200219 4.312l3.570635 4.7147692c.844203 1.1113846 1.651795 1.6843077 1.920993 1.8544615.605156.4027693 1.987754.6052308 2.627367.7064616z"/><path d="m396.725963 11.9387692c-2.424931 0-4.780947 2.6944616-4.780947 6.7049231 0 4.7147692 2.254798 8.1178462 6.297067 8.1178462 2.560606 0 4.951079-2.5953847 4.951079-6.6704616 0-4.9516923-2.491692-8.1523077-6.467199-8.1523077zm.271351 16.0009231c-5.187973 0-8.185756-3.5710769-8.185756-8.5227692 0-5.0184616 4.143487-8.624 9.329306-8.624 5.256888 0 8.185756 3.6055384 8.185756 8.3547692 0 5.1886154-4.143487 8.792-9.329306 8.792z"/><path d="m427.110816 11.8698462c-1.178008.068923-2.224647.6073846-2.493845 1.148v9.868923c0 1.3806154.068915 3.739077.170133 4.8504616h-1.548424l-10.00553-12.2618462-1.111247-1.6498461.101218 1.5163077v5.8950769c0 1.4129231.135676 3.3686154.170133 4.4455384.23474.5061539 1.681945 1.0446154 2.862107 1.1113847v.740923h-7.106812v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.323712-.6052308 2.526148-1.1113847v-9.2292307c0-1.2793846 0-2.5609231-.101218-3.5043077-.269197-.5384616-1.313683-1.0101539-2.459388-1.0790769v-.7064616h5.18582l1.449359 1.8544616 8.353735 10.2738461v-5.8950769c0-1.4150769-.101218-3.6055385-.135676-4.3787692-.236893-.5406154-1.716403-1.079077-2.896564-1.148v-.7064616h7.040051z"/><path d="m451.732691 27.5347692h-7.983319v-.740923c1.180162-.0667693 2.493845-.4027693 2.696282-.9089231l-.506092-9.4316923-.034457-2.6966154-.807592 2.0547692-5.151363 11.7578462h-1.012182l-4.479445-12.2273846-.674071-2.0224616-.066761 1.82-.708527 10.5430769c.167979.5061539 1.414901 1.0446154 2.560606 1.1113847v.740923h-6.704093v-.740923c1.180161-.0667693 2.293562-.6052308 2.595063-1.1113847l.706374-9.2292307c.068915-.9433846.202436-2.7633846.202436-2.8646154 0-.168 0-.5384616-.034457-.8421539-.269197-.4027692-1.143551-.8076923-2.289255-.8766153v-.7064616h5.760825l.839896 2.4596923 3.671854 10.1381539 4.212401-9.9033846 1.109094-2.6944616h5.155669v.7064616c-1.180162.068923-2.054515.4393846-2.291409.8443076v.6052308c0 .2692308.135676 2.2916923.16798 3.1338462l.538395 9.4316923c.303654.5061538 1.382598.8421538 2.526148.9089231z"/><path d="m468.341097 27.5347692h-8.655236l-5.827587.0689231v-.7086154c1.178008-.0667692 2.931022-.4027692 3.26698-1.2470769v-12.9015385c-.202436-.504-1.313683-.8076923-2.491691-.8766153v-.7064616h10.64299c.706374 0 1.178008-.0667692 1.513966-.168h.609463v4.312h-.676223c-.101219-2.2572308-1.010029-2.8624615-2.963326-2.8624615h-3.738614v6.0975384h3.503874c1.75086 0 2.457234-.0344615 2.694128-1.9212307h.639613v5.3221538h-.67407c-.202437-2.0547692-.773135-2.0870769-2.659671-2.0870769h-3.503874v5.5569231c.066761.336.202436.7086154.671917.8766154l4.076726-.0667693c1.718556-.0344615 2.864261-.7753846 2.931022-2.9658461h.639613z"/><path d="m490.202083 11.8698462c-1.178008.068923-2.224648.6073846-2.493845 1.148v9.868923c0 1.3806154.068914 3.739077.167979 4.8504616h-1.54627l-10.005531-12.2618462-1.111247-1.6498461.101218 1.5163077v5.8950769c0 1.4129231.135676 3.3686154.170133 4.4455384.23474.5061539 1.681946 1.0446154 2.862107 1.1113847v.740923h-7.106812v-.740923c1.178008-.0667693 2.323712-.6052308 2.526149-1.1113847v-9.2292307c0-1.2793846 0-2.5609231-.101219-3.5043077-.269197-.5384616-1.315837-1.0101539-2.459387-1.0790769v-.7064616h5.185819l1.449359 1.8544616 8.353735 10.2738461v-5.8950769c0-1.4150769-.101218-3.6055385-.133522-4.3787692-.239047-.5406154-1.718556-1.079077-2.898718-1.148v-.7064616h7.040052z"/><path d="m508.761631 15.8458462h-.67407c-.066761-2.1883077-1.246923-3.3341539-3.099001-3.3686154l-2.763043-.0323077v12.9338461c.572852 1.2126154 1.987754 1.3483077 3.167916 1.415077v.740923h-9.297003v-.740923c1.180161-.0667693 2.864261-.3015385 3.234676-1.0446154v-13.3043077l-2.763042.0323077c-1.852079.0344615-3.03224 1.1803077-3.064544 3.3686154h-.706374v-4.8827693h.63746c.338112.0990769.67407.2003077 1.518273.2003077h11.653019c.605156 0 1.180162-.1012308 1.51612-.2003077h.639613z"/></g></svg> <span class="show-for-sr">Visit the Yale School of the Environment homepage</span> </a> <div class="site-footer__location"> <p>195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511</p> </div> <div class="site-footer__phone"> <p>(203) 432-5100</p> </div> <div class="site-footer__email"> <p><a href="mailto:admissions.yse@yale.edu">admissions.yse@yale.edu</a></p> </div> <div class="site-footer__social-media"> <h2 class="show-for-sr">Social Media Links</h2> <ul class="social-media"> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/5527901/" target="_blank" aria-label="Opens LinkedIn in a new window"> <span class="show-for-sr">LinkedIn</span> <i class="fab fa-linkedin-in"></i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://instagram.com/EnvironmentYale" target="_blank" aria-label="Opens Instagram in a new window"> <span class="show-for-sr">Instagram</span> <i class="fab fa-instagram"></i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YaleEnvironment" target="_blank" aria-label="Opens Facebook in a new window"> <span class="show-for-sr">Facebook</span> <i class="fab fa-facebook-square"></i> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLSDzZ9VCUUFUOT3lD815A" target="_blank" aria-label="Opens YouTube in a new window"> <span class="show-for-sr">YouTube</span> <i class="fab fa-youtube"></i> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="cell medium-3"> <nav class="site-footer__main"> <ul> <li><a href="/academics">Academic Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/admissions">Admissions</a></li> <li><a href="/learning-communities">Learning Communities</a></li> <li><a href="/research">Research & Impact</a></li> <li><a href="/student-experience">Student Experience</a></li> <li><a href="/about">About</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="cell medium-3"> <nav id="footer-col-third" class="footer-col-third site-footer__utility"> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-footerutil-menu" id="block-footerutil"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-footerutil-menu">Footer Util</h2> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu-item oho-animate fade-in-right"> <a href="/about/contact/communications" class="arrow-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2286">Media Inquiries</a> </li> <li class="menu-item oho-animate fade-in-right"> <a href="https://careers.environment.yale.edu/channels/employer/" class="arrow-link">For Employers</a> </li> <li class="menu-item oho-animate fade-in-right"> <a href="/about#job-opportunities" class="arrow-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/51">Job Opportunities</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer__secondary grid-x grid-margin-x"> <div class="cell initial-12"><hr></div> <div class="cell medium-6"> <a href="https://subscribe.yale.edu/browse?search=yse+3" class="btn">Sign Up for Our Newsletter</a> </div> <div class="cell medium-6"> <p class="site-footer__copyright">Copyright © 2025, <a href="https://yale.edu">Yale University</a>. All rights reserved.</p> <div class="site-footer__bottom-links"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.yale.edu/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://usability.yale.edu/web-accessibility/accessibility-yale">Accessibility at Yale</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"bibcite\/reference\/3675","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJx9ktFuwzAIRX-oWqfugxCxccrqGAtw0-zr56ia-jCnr9wDvheMZuTA5ZuCi56D2Ue4UriRToIawVasoDxfHVwgU_IT_m-hPMkKKrJAEoWEJWyQudyAgxQbtaSWs9PDQcla9iEjd1LlSIBWexUUnQXuvSKQ-PG2xa9KBK12uZB281VGfCU1Kd36ClMrMRP8TRg6qiqJO5QIvSmB8Q9F0JbH-LoZr9v8XIX5doBt1iPG2DdhZIAlgujcCo-3stNRQluoHAOZzbnM79Ps4EKR8VicsT_TXmPg8nn5OsJf1JxlwnzEVZz7SUJT7RGAnZZDsk2Zw3728S_aGRfJztVOtlkfdZ7Q6NSF89PEL6nHJ8M","theme":"yse","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":[],"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"13488d9af20cb5a39541f3bdc67ec3b4c52f3c1e79967f10000249f91c768d81"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_sYKHxjrQg-IOTMqZuFDFsNAMbs_HC1G8bb6AZ2n3Zxk.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJyrLE7VT8_JT0rMAQAV1gPy"></script> <script src="https://unpkg.com/@popperjs/core@2.11.8/dist/umd/popper.min.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_V13TOOQlKhzPfuI8PPoc8nBkq-cmOqBQfFL9YDy9YmA.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=yse&include=eJyrLE7VT8_JT0rMAQAV1gPy"></script> <script src="//kit.fontawesome.com/3eea39cd96.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics | Yale School of the Environment