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Litterfall on the elevational gradient (Group 4) with a focus on greenfall from the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in 1995

Null Hypothesis: Litterfall weights not statistically different between plots on the altitudinal gradient.

Litterfall on the elevational gradient (Group 5) from the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in 1995

Null Hypothesis: Litterfall weights not statistically different between plots on the altitudinal gradient.

Litterfall on the elevational gradient (Group 6) from the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1995 to 1996

Null Hypothesis: Litterfall weights not statistically different between plots on the altitudinal gradient.

Litterfall on the elevational gradient (Group 7) in the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1996 to 1998

Null Hypothesis: Litterfall weights are not statistically different between plots on the altitudinal gradient.

Fine root dynamics along an elevational gradient in the southern Appalachian mountains in the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1993 to 1994

Annual rates of fine root mass appearance and disappearance were calculated from samples of fine roots taken in soil cores over time on the five gradient plots.

Fine root dynamics along an elevational gradient in the southern Appalachian mountains in the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1994 to 1995 (lengths of fine root segments)

The lengths of fine root segments visible in photographs of roots growing against the windows of minirhizotron boxes were measured.

Litter decomposition in quadrat treatments along elevation gradient for canopy herbivore input study at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1997 to 1999

Decomposition is frequently measured using litter bags containing known amounts of litter. A set of litter bags can be sampled over time and the weight loss which is measured serves as an index of decomposition. By measuring litter breakdown rate (decomposition) of the same species of litter along the elevation gradient, we could measure variation among the different elevations due to our treatments and elevation effects. Treatments included frass additions, thrufall additions, greenfall exclusion, all litter excluded, and controls.

Leaf decomposition along the Ball Creek / Coweeta Creek elevational gradient at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1991 to 1992

This work was conducted in the southern Appalachian Mountains at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, North Carolina, USA from 1991 to 1992. We investigated in-stream leaf decomposition in different habitat patches using leaf species that varied in their speed of processing along a first fourth-order stream gradient. Most studies of stream disturbance have been from the perspective of point or non-point discharges that impinge directly on stream communities. Streams may also receive indirect impacts when the catchments they drain are disturbed by such activities as logging. Logging has been extensive in areas drained by small to intermediate streams throughout the United States, and few streams in the Eastern United States drain forests that have escaped logging. The present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of clear-cutting on the rates at which riparian tree leaves are comminuted by first-order stream communities in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

openCC (other)Jul 2020View details →

Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: Hourly soil oxygen, moisture and temperature across soil depths and an elevation gradient in the Bear Brook watershed; 2018-2019

Denitrification is potentially a significant process of soil nitrogen removal from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) ecosystem. Its magnitude and variation can depend on physical conditions within the soil, particularly oxygen concentration, moisture, and temperature. This dataset contains continuous measurement of soil oxygen, moisture and temperature near the biogeochemical reference Watershed 6 at (HBEF). Data were collected from Campbell Scientific CR1000 dataloggers with sensors installed at 3 depths, each at a soil horizon transition and at an hourly time interval. The timeframe of the dataset is 1 year starting in July 2018 and ending in July 2019. These data were gathered as part of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES). The HBES is a collaborative effort at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station.

openCC (other)Dec 2021View details →

Elevation gradient plant species composition data for A1, B1, C1, D1, 1953 - 1996.

Plant species presence and abundance (Kooiman and Korb data) were recorded at four stands along an elevational gradient in the Front Range of Colorado. Each stand location was determined by Dr. John Marr. The Marr species data were recorded from at least 12 3ft x 3ft plots located in the corners of his 66ft x 66ft tree quadrats. Only species presence was recorded, not abundance. The Kooiman and Lindhart as well as the Korb data were collected from 50 85cm x 100cm plots which were systematically located within a sampling strip measuring 2m x 100m. Plots were located every two meters alternating left and right of the sampling strip. Species present in the strip but not in the plots were recorded by Kooiman as well as Korb. Species names in this data set are from Weber and Wittman 1996; the Marr and Kooiman datasets were updated using Weber and Wittman's list.

openOpenJan 2020View details →

Biome Transition Along Elevational Gradients in New Mexico (SEON) AmeriFlux Data (2007- )

The varied topography and large elevation gradients that characterize the arid and semi-arid Southwest create a wide range of climatic conditions - and associated biomes - within relatively short distances. This creates an ideal experimental system in which to study the effects of climate on ecosystems. Such studies are critical givien that the Southwestern U.S. has already experienced changes in climate that have altered precipitation patterns (Mote et al. 2005), and stands to experience dramatic climate change in the coming decades (Seager et al. 2007; Ting et al. 2007). Climate models currently predict an imminent transition to a warmer, more arid climate in the Southwest (Seager et al. 2007; Ting et al. 2007). Thus, high elevation ecosystems, which currently experience relatively cool and mesic climates, will likely resemble their lower elevation counterparts, which experience a hotter and drier climate. In order to predict regional changes in carbon storage, hydrologic partitioning and water resources in response to these potential shifts, it is critical to understand how both temperature and soil moisture affect processes such as evaportranspiration (ET), total carbon uptake through gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Reco), and net ecosystem exchange of carbon, water and energy across elevational gradients.We are using a sequence of six widespread biomes along an elevational gradient in New Mexico -- ranging from hot, arid ecosystems at low elevations to cool, mesic ecosystems at high elevation to test specific hypotheses related to how climatic controls over ecosystem processes change across this gradient. We have an eddy covariance tower and associated meteorological instruments in each biome which we are using to directly measure the exchange of carbon, water and energy between the ecosystem and the atmosphere. This gradient offers us a unique opportunity to test the interactive effects of temperature and soil moisture on ecosystem proce

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Data from: Occupancy patterns and upper range limits of lowland Bornean birds along an elevational gradient

Aim: The traditional view of species' distributions is that they are less abundant near the edges of their ranges and more abundant toward the center. Testing this pattern is difficult because of the complexity of distributions across wide geographical areas. An alternative strategy, however, is to measure species' distributional patterns along elevational gradients. We applied this strategy to examine whether lowland forest birds are indeed less common near their upper range limits on a Bornean mountain, and tested co-occurrence patterns among species for potential causes of attenuation, including signatures of habitat selection and competition at the periphery of their ranges. Location: Mt. Mulu, Borneo Taxon: Rain forest birds Methods: We surveyed lowland forest birds on Mt. Mulu (2,376 m), classified their elevation-occupancy distributions using Huisman – Olff – Fresco (HOF) models, and examined co-occurrence patterns of species pairs for signatures of shared habitat patches and interspecific competition. Results: For 39 of 50 common species, occupancy was highest at sea level then gradually declined near their upper range edges, in keeping with a 'rare periphery' hypothesis. With respect to habitat selection, lowland species do not appear to cluster together at sites of patchy similar habitat near their upper range limits; neither are most lowland species segregated from potential montane competitors where ranges overlap. Main conclusions: High relative abundance at sea level implies that species inhabit 'truncated niches' and are not currently near the limits of their fundamental niche, unless unknown critical response thresholds exist. However, indirect effects of increasing temperature predicted under climate change scenarios could still influence lower range limits of lowland species indirectly by altering habitat, precipitation regimes, and competitive interactions. The lack of non-random co-occurrence patterns implies that patchy habitat and simple pairwise species interactions are unlikely to be responsible for upper range limits in most species; diffuse competition across diverse rain forest bird communities could still play a role.

opencc-zeroJul 2020View details →

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Data from: Environmental variation associated with topography explains butterfly diversity along a tropical elevation gradient

Few studies have evaluated the role of topography on the diversity patterns of biological communities along elevation gradients. We evaluated the influence of microclimate and vegetation structure associated with topographic variation on the richness and composition of species of different families of butterflies on a mountain located in a dry enclave (Chicamocha River Canyon) in the northern Andes, Colombia. We captured butterflies over four months at 18 elevations (300 to 1500 m a.s.l.) in two topographic positions (riverbed and hillslope) using an entomological net and traps baited with fermented fruit. In general, butterfly richness increased with elevation in both topographic positions. However, the richness-elevation relationship changed with butterfly family. The riverbed and hillslope sites host different assemblages of butterflies, and this pattern that was consistent for most families. In the riverbed, two sets of species are recognized along the elevation gradient (one below 700 m a.s.l. and the other above 1000 m a.s.l.), mainly owing to species replacement. On the hillslopes there was no clear pattern of grouping associated with elevation. Microclimate differences between the riverbed and hillslope sites along the elevation gradient were related to the vegetation structure and explained the variation in butterfly species composition. Our results highlight the role of topography not only by explaining the response of species richness and composition to environmental variation determined by elevation, but also as a factor that must be considered in the planning and management of biodiversity conservation in the mountains.

opencc-zeroNov 2021View details →

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Semi‐quantitative metabarcoding reveals how climate shapes arthropod community assembly along elevation gradients on Hawaii Island

Spatial variation in climatic conditions along elevation gradients provides an important backdrop by which communities assemble and diversify. Lowland habitats tend to be connected through time, whereas highlands can be continuously or periodically isolated, conditions that have been hypothesized to promote high levels of species endemism. This tendency is expected to be accentuated among taxa that show niche conservatism within a given climatic envelope. While species distribution modeling approaches have allowed extensive exploration of niche conservatism among target taxa, a broad understanding of the phenomenon requires sampling of entire communities. Species-rich groups such as arthropods are ideal case studies for understanding ecological and biodiversity dynamics along elevational gradients given their important functional role in many ecosystems, but community-level studies have been limited due to their tremendous diversity. Here, we develop a novel semi-quantitative metabarcoding approach that combines specimen counts and size-sorting to characterize arthropod community-level diversity patterns along two elevational gradients across two volcanoes on the island of Hawai`i. We find that arthropod communities between the two transects become increasingly distinct compositionally at higher elevations. Resistance surface approaches suggest that climatic differences between sampling localities are an important driver in shaping beta-diversity patterns, though the relative importance of climate varies across taxonomic groups. Nevertheless, the climatic niche position of OTUs between transects was highly correlated, suggesting that climatic filters shape the colonization between adjacent volcanoes. Taken together, our results highlight climatic niche conservatism as an important factor shaping ecological assembly along elevational gradients and suggest topographic complexity as an important driver of diversification.

opencc-zeroJan 2022View details →

opencc-by-4.0Jun 2022View details →

High elevation forest age structure across an elevational gradient in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Dataset for Blomdahl et al. 2022. Drivers of forest change in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Journal of Vegetation Science.  See publication for site description and methods.  Descriptions for variables in “trees_seedlings.csv”: Plot_ID: Plot identifier. Nomeclature follows transect name and plot number. ECO="Ecotone" transect, SBM="South Bird Mountain" transect. Year_Sampled: Samples collected 2017-2019. Tree_ID: Identifier for unique trees and seedlings.  Core: Tree core sample identifier. Applies only to trees (cores not taken from seedlings). Generally, 2 cores were taken per Tree >5 cm DCH, though sometimes up to 4 were collected if a sample was rotten. Sample_ID: Identifier for unique samples, some of which come from the same tree (for unique individuals: "Tree_ID"). Applies to trees and seedlings. Form: Stems >5 cm diameter at coring height (DCH), coring height=30 cm; Seedlings >30: Stems <5 cm DCH and >30 cm in height (sometimes referred to as "saplings"); Seedlings <30: Stems <30 cm in height Species: ABLA=Abies lasiocarpa, PIAL=Pinus albicaulis, PICO=Pinus contorta, PIEN=Picea engelmannii, PSME=Pseudotsuga menziesii Diam_30_cm: Diameter (cm) at 30 cm sample height. Diam_0_cm: Diameter (cm) at 0 cm sample height (i.e., the base). Only seedlings were measured at base, not trees. Seedling_Ht_cm: Length of seedling stem (cm). Bark_Thick_cm:  Bark thickness (cm). Not recorded in 2018. Bark thickness assumed to be <0.1 cm for seedlings. Live_Dead: Live/Dead status when sampled. L=Live, D=Dead. Canopy: Canopy position. D=Dominant, C=Codominant. S=Suppressed. Not recorded in 2017. All seedlings assumed suppressed. Outer_Ring: Last complete year of growth, generally one year prior to Year_Sampled for live trees. Mortality year for dead trees. Inner_Ring: Year of innermost ring measured in tree core sample measured at 30 cm sample height. Does not apply to seedlings, which were sampled as cross sections, and therefore the pith was always measureable. Pith_30: Year of the first ring of the tree or sapling, measured at 30 cm sampling height.                                        Pith_0: Year of the first ring of the seedling, measuring at 0 cm sampling height (i.e., the base). Applies only to seedlings, which were destructively sampled at the base. Estab_Year: Estimated year of establishment for trees and saplings, same as Pith_0 for seedlings. See methods of Blomdahl et al., 2022, for how establishment year was estimated. Age: Estimated age of the tree.

opencc-by-4.0Sep 2022View details →

Dataset of blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) species observed along an elevational gradient on Mt. Etna, Sicily.

This dataset contains count data for blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) collected at four different elevations along an altitudinal gradient around Mt. Etna, in Sicily (Italy). Samples were collected to determine changes in blow fly community assembly as elevation changes. BlowflyAltitudeSicily_Data.csv is a file that contains the raw count data for species separated by both elevation and sex of the identified specimens. BlowflyAltitudeSicily_Methods.docx is a summarized version of the sampling method relevant to interpreting the data. BlowflyAltitudeSicily_Descriptive.txt is a file describing the column headers in "BlowflyAltitudeSicily_Data.csv".

opencc-by-4.0May 2024View details →

Data from: Higher spatial than seasonal beta diversity of soil protists along elevation gradients

This data package contain the data and R script to reproduce the analyses of the paper from Bruni et al. (in press). It contains: <ul> <li>protist_spatiotemporal_turnover_site_parameters.xlsx: the list of sites used in this study with their (label, location, geography coordinates, habitat, ENA project and sample accessions) and soil abiotic parameters. Abbreviations and units are as follows: Res_hum, residual humidity [%]; Org_mat, soil organic matter [%]; C_org, organic carbon [mg ∙ g-1]; N_org, organic nitrogen [mg ∙ g-1]; P_bio, bioavailable phosphate [mg ∙ g-1]; C_N_ratio, carbon org. / nitrogen org. ratio; N_P_ratio: nitrogen org. / phosphorus bioavailable ratio.</li> <li>protist_spatiotemporal_turnover_data.RData: dataset in rda format (R core team, 2024) containing the ASV read's abundance per site matrix (object "mat"), the ASV taxonomic assignments (object "taxo"), the ASV sequences (object "asv") and the CRU-TS monthly climatic data corresponding to the sampled site's location and dates (object "cruts").</li> <li>protist_spatiotemporal_turnover_analyses.R: R script to reproduce all analyses and figures of Bruni et al. (in press)</li> </ul>   References: Bruni, E. P., Lorite, J., Peñas, J., Mulot, M., Fournier, B., Vittoz, P., Mitchell, E. A. D., & Lentendu, G. (2024). Higher spatial than seasonal beta diversity of soil protists along elevation gradients. Frontiers of Biogeography, 17, 1–17. DOI:<a href="https://doi.org/10.21425/fob.17.132637">10.21425/fob.17.132637</a> <div> <div>R Core Team. (2024). R: a language and environment for statistical computing (4.2.2) R Foundation for Statistical Computing. <a href="https://www.r-project.org/">https://www.r-project.org/</a></div> </div>

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2020View details →

Fig. 4 in Patterns of Bird Diversity and Endemism Along an Elevational Gradient in the Southern Mexican Highlands.

Fig. 4. Rank-abundance curves for bird species at each of the four elevation sites in the Sierra Madre del Sur in southern Mexico. Bird species code: Aphelocoma sumichrasti (Asu), Catharus aurantiirostris (Cau), Cyanocitta coronata (Cco), Icterus pustulatus (Ipu), Junco phaeonotus (Jph), Melanerpes formicivorus (Mfo), Myadestes occidentalis (Moc), Myioborus miniatus (Mmi), Peucaea acuminata (Pac), Setophaga nigrescens (Sni), Tyrannus verticalis (Tve).

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2020View details →

Fig. 5 in Patterns of Bird Diversity and Endemism Along an Elevational Gradient in the Southern Mexican Highlands.

Fig. 5. Differences in the abundance and composition of bird species per sampling point along an elevational gradient in the Sierra Madre del Sur in southern Mexico ordered by a non-metric multidimensional scaling based on the Bray-Curtis similarity index. Ellipses indicate 95% significance.