This ongoing project is examining patterns of CO₂ production belowground.  Using buried solid state CO₂ analyzers, scientists now have the capability to monitor the CO₂ concentration in the soil gas without major disturbance to the soil.  With these sensors, and with chambers with lids that close automatically and route air to a separate CO₂ analyzer, we are examining biological responses to moisture pulses in grasslands of Canyonlands National Park.  The automated measurements allow us to investigate phenomena we would miss with more standard ecological techniques.  We are finding evidence of sustained wintertime biological activity despite cold air and soil temperatures, and immediate responses to even very small ( a few mm) rain events at any time of year.  Consistent with our results at Corral Pocket, we have observed a strong respiratory response to summer monsoon rains. This project is another collaborative effort with Dr. Jayne Belnap's group from the USGS Canyonlands Research Station in Moab.