As shown in the photo of the “mysterious lights” at Sand Creek in the July 6 issue of The Kiowa County Press, researchers from Colorado State University are conducting a short-term research experiment on how grasslands recover from severe drought.  As stated by the Principal Investigator for the project, Ms. Kari Cherwin, “The objective of the study is to see how prairies in Southeast Colorado respond to intensified drought.  Drought conditions are being created on a small-scale with the use of small shelters that intercept varying levels of rain.  The shelters will remain in place this summer and next summer, and will be permanently removed in the fall of next year (2008).  After removing the shelters the researchers will examine the various responses of the soil and the plants.  Factors such as primary production, vegetation cover, soil erosion potential, soil nutrient cycling, and more will be analyzed to gain a better understanding of how these ecosystems respond to severe drought.  This is critical information for land owners and land managers who are all too commonly faced with the challenge of reviving their fields after a period of drought.”