With a fully equipped modern laboratory and computing facilities, SNARL serves as a major center for research for the eastern Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley.

• Selected Research and Special Programs
• SNARL Publications

Selected Research

Ecology of Mono Lake: UC research since 1976 on Mono Lake influenced a 1994 decision of the State Water Resources Control Board to raise the lake level, helping to restore its ecosystem; ongoing projects there include physical-limnology modeling and monitoring of brine shrimp and alkali fly populations.

Sierran snowpack: SNARL scientists operate a snow laboratory on Mammoth Mountain; the National Science Foundation and NASA Earth Observing System Project fund ongoing studies of snowpack properties and snowmelt runoff.

Aquatic biology: Ongoing studies examine impacts of livestock grazing on stream ecology and effects of nonnative trout on Sierra Nevada lake ecosystems.

Special Programs

Geologic monitoring: U.S. Geological Survey-funded scientists monitor seismic activity in the Long Valley Caldera and carbon dioxide emissions around Mammoth Mountain.

Regional field station: SNARL attracts users from all UC campuses, many out-of-state colleges/universities, federal lab-oratories and research programs; reserve manager consults on regional resource management issues. 

Field courses: University courses using site include botany, geology, environmental studies, snow science, and White Mountains Research Supercourse.

Page last updated Tuesday, July 29, 2003