Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area
{{Short description|Experimental Rangeland and Research Station in Pima County, Arizona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox laboratory
|name = Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area
|image = File:SRER Pasture1.jpg
|motto =
|established = {{Start date|1903}}
|research_field = Agricultural science
Environmental science
|address =
|city =
|state = Pima County, Arizona
|province =
|country = US
|coor = {{coord|31.83342|-110.85286|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|zipcode =
85721|campus =University of Arizona ALVSCE
|affiliations =
|operating_agency = University of Arizona
|website = {{URL|1=http://cals.arizona.edu/srer/ |2=Santa Rita Experimental Range}}
|logo =
}}
The Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area{{Cite web | title=Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area, AZ| url=http://www.topoquest.com/place-detail.php?id=42718| access-date=2012-12-10}} is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. Located south of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, the 52,000 acre Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) was founded in 1903 and administered by the United States Forest Service until 1987, when the University of Arizona College of Agriculture took over administration of the site. The mission at the SRER is "to advance research and education on the ecology and management of desert rangelands through the secure, long-term access to research areas, state-of-the-art facilities, new discoveries, and research legacies."{{Cite web | title=Santa Rita Experimental Range| url=http://cals.arizona.edu/srer/| access-date=2013-12-10}}{{Cite web| title=Santa Rita Experimental Range : School of Natural Resources and the Environment 1| url=http://www.snr.arizona.edu/infrastructure/srer| access-date=2013-12-10| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918070326/http://www.snr.arizona.edu/infrastructure/srer| archive-date=2009-09-18}}{{Cite web| title=Santa Rita Experimental Range : School of Natural Resources and the Environment 2| url=http://www.snr.arizona.edu/project/srer| access-date=2013-12-10| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://archive.today/20131210210738/http://www.snr.arizona.edu/project/srer| archive-date=2013-12-10}}
Environmental data
The SRER makes available several spatial and time series data sets for research purposes including monthly resolution precipitation data from 1922 to present, long term vegetation response studies, and livestock grazing histories. Additionally, the SRER maintains a repeat photography archive, allowing researchers to visually inspect land cover and landscape changes for 117 locations from as early as 1902 to present. The National Ecological Observatory Network also publicly publishes data collected on the range.{{cite web |title=Santa Rita Experimental Range – SRER {{!}} NSF NEON {{!}} Open Data to Understand our Ecosystems |url=https://www.neonscience.org/field-sites/field-sites-map/SRER |website=www.neonscience.org}}
Gallery
File:Santa_Rita_Wildlife_Area_Sign_Arizona_2014.jpg|A Santa Rita Wildlife Area sign.
File:Santa_Rita_Experimental_Range_Arizona_2013.jpg|A view across the SRER, facing south. Elephant Head is in the background at the left.
File:Santa_Rita_Experimental_Range_Arizona_Huerfano_Butte_2013.jpg|Huerfano Butte is a dominant landmark in the SRER.
File:Ocotillo Forest Santa Rita Experimental Range Arizona 2014.jpg|Ocotillo in the SRER.
File:Florida_Canyon_Wash_Santa_Rita_Experimental_Range_2014.jpg|Florida Canyon Wash in March 2014.
File:Helvetia Cemetery Arizona 2014.jpg|Helvetia Cemetery
See also
{{portal|Arizona}}
References
{{reflist|22em}}
External links
{{commons category-inline|Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area}}
{{Protected areas of Arizona}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Wildlife areas of Arizona
Category:Protected areas of Pima County, Arizona
Category:Protected areas of the Sonoran Desert
Category:1903 establishments in Arizona Territory
Category:Buildings and structures in Pima County, Arizona
Category:History of Pima County, Arizona
Category:University of Arizona
Category:Protected areas established in 1903
{{Protected-area-stub}}