Find research datasets worth reusing

Pre-burn survey of overstory vegetation at Jacobs Branch and Devils Den burn sites, 1989

On three sites in the southern Appalachians, stands characterized by sparse overstories and dense Kalmia latifolia shrub layers were felled in early summer and burned in early fall. Amounts of aboveground vegetation and forest floor mass, nitrogen (N), and carbon (C) were measured before and after treatment by sampling wood, foliage, herbs and grasses, and forest floor (Oi and Oe+Oa layers). Burning decreased woody mass by 48 to 60% across the three sites. Significant losses of mass, N, and C occurred in the Oi layer, but not in the Oe + Oa layer. Total aboveground N losses across sites ranged from 193 to 480 kg ha_-1_. These losses may be significant because N availability is low on these sites. Variations in patterns of mass, N, and C consumption were related to differences in amounts, types, size distributions, and moisture contents of fuels.

openOpenSep 2020View details →

McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER: Microbial mat biomass and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values from Lake Fryxell Basin, Antarctica, January 2018

This package contains data collected from microbial mat surveys (i.e., percent cover, ash-free dry mass (AFDM), and pigment concentrations – chlorophyll-a, scytonemin, and carotenoids) associated with satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values from the Lake Fryxell Basin of Taylor Valley, located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively compare key microbial mat characteristics to NDVI. Data were collected at seven plot locations within the Canada Glacier Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) near Canada Stream, as well as alongside Green Creek and McKnight Creek. NDVI values were derived from a WorldView-2 multispectral satellite image taken of the Lake Fryxell Basin on January 19, 2018, while biological ground surveying and sampling were conducted during the 2nd and 4th weeks of January 2018.

openCC (other)Jan 2019View details →

Community Land Model version 4.5 (CLM4.5) simulations of water, energy, and carbon fluxes for Saddle vegetation communities, 2008 - 2013

Single point simulations of CLM4.5 that include (1) forcing data that were input to the model and subsequent (2) model output for simulations that approximate conditions in fellfield, dry meadow, moist meadow, wet meadow, and snowbed vegetation communities. Forcing data were generated with observed atmospheric conditions from Tvan, Saddle precipitation, and incoming shortwave radiation measured from the AmeriFlux tower site (US-NR1) from 2008-2013. Wintertime precipitation inputs were modified to approximate average snow depth for each vegetation community observed across the Saddle grid. Land models, like CLM, provide a cohesive framework to investigate biogeophysical and biogeochemical effects of environmental change on ecosystem processes. We used CLM4.5 to investigate if a global-scale model can represent local-scale patterns of water, energy, and carbon fluxes in a heterogeneous mountain environment. Specifically, we were interested in generating testable projections of potential ecosystem responses to climate change. Model output includes half-hourly data on fluxes of energy, water, and carbon, as well as vegetation carbon stocks and edaphic conditions. We also conducted sensitivity analyses to look at ecosystem responses to modifications intended to extend growing season length by decreasing snow albedo and warming air temperatures (black sand and M-A warm, respectively). Information on the variables, units, and data are included as attributed in the network Common Data Form (NetCDF) files for this dataset. For users unfamiliar with using NetCDF files, we have included R scripts that write (forcing data) and read (model output) .nc files include in this data archive. More information about NetCDF files is available at http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/docs/index.html.

openCC (other)Jul 2019View details →

Topographic heterogeneity mediates patterns of vegetation response to climate change across a mountain landscape, Niwot Ridge, Colorado, 1972-2008

The distributions of biomes worldwide are predicted to shift as vegetation tracks climate change. Ecologists often use coarse-scale climate models to predict these shifts along broad elevational and latitudinal gradients, but these assessments could fail to capture important dynamics by ignoring fine-scale heterogeneity. We ask how the elevational ranges of vegetation types have changed in a mountainous landscape, and investigate the influence of fine-scale topographic, snowpack, and soil properties on vegetation change. We manually classified vegetation from high-resolution repeat aerial photographs from 1972 and 2008 at Niwot Ridge, Colorado, USA, and generally found that trees and shrubs colonized tundra, while tundra colonized barren soils. Only shrubs expanded their elevational range. Several fine-scale topographic, soil and snow characteristics, including elevation, slope, solar radiation, soil bulk density, and interannual snowpack variability, modulated where plant establishment occurred. Each vegetation type had a unique suite of variables best predicting its establishment in new areas. We suggest that fine-scale heterogeneity may strongly control how plants in mountainous regions respond to climate change, and different vegetation types may be sensitive to different aspects of this heterogeneity. An improved understanding of the factors controlling vegetation change gives us a broader understanding of ecosystem response to climate change, nitrogen deposition, and release from grazing.

openCC (other)Apr 2021View details →

Saddle catchment vegetation cover for Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM), 2 meter, 2019

The Saddle Catchment of the Niwot Ridge LTER is subject to observed and modeled hydrologic connectivity and nuances that is influenced by the variable vegetation across the area. This file was specifically intended to update the Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM) input file used to simulate vegetation within the Saddle Catchment, as an ongoing method for evaluating modeled hydrologic connectivity. Thus, high resolution vegetation information was used from existing National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) datasets. NEON has developed a suite of vegetation datasets including a 1m spatial resolution Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) Total Biomass data product. This product is an orthorectified (UTM projection) raster product derived from NEON AOP Imaging Spectrometer (NIS) reflectance data (DP3.30016.001). This vegetation layer was chosen because it visually reflected the differences in vegetation across the Saddle Catchment at a much higher resolution than previous DHSVM vegetation files. Using this gridded biomass product, different vegetation types were manually assigned and translated into to DHSVM vegetation types/codes. The assigning and translating of vegetation types was done by consulting NWT LTER individuals who specialize in the vegetative and soil properties within the Saddle Catchment and using available point-vegetation data from the Saddle Catchment sensor node network. The final product was upscaled to a 2m resolution using R (to match all other DHSVM input files).

Year 2000, Plant species present along vegetation transects off the marsh on Middle Rd, Newbury, MA. Near Thurlow's Bridge and Governor's Academy.

This study was conducted in the Fall of 2000, by Governor's Academy high school science class students with their teacher Susan Olezsko-Zsuts to look at the annual presence and absence of marsh plants in the tidal marsh near the Governor's Academy school campus. The marsh is brackish and is located off Middle Road in Newbury , MA , near Thurlow's Bridge.

Year 2002, Plant species present along vegetation transects off the marsh on Middle Rd, Newbury, MA. Near Thurlow's Bridge and Governor's Academy.

This study was conducted in the Fall of 2002, by Governor's Academy high school science class students with their teacher Susan Olezsko-Zsuts to look at the annual presence and absence of marsh plants in the tidal marsh near the Governor's Academy school campus. The marsh is brackish and is located off Middle Road in Newbury , MA , near Thurlow's Bridge.

Year 2006, Plant species present along vegetation transects off the marsh on Middle Rd, Newbury, MA. Near Thurlow's Bridge and Governor's Academy.

This study was conducted in the Fall of 2006, by Governor's Academy high school science class students with their teacher Susan Olezsko-Zsuts to look at the annual presence and absence of marsh plants in the tidal marsh near the Governor's Academy school campus. The marsh is brackish and is located off Middle Road in Newbury , MA , near Thurlow's Bridge.

Year 2007, Plant species present along vegetation transects off the marsh on Middle Rd, Newbury, MA. Near Thurlow's Bridge and Governor's Academy.

This study was conducted in the Fall of 2007, by Governor's Academy high school science class students with their teacher Susan Olezsko-Zsuts to look at the annual presence and absence of marsh plants in the tidal marsh near the Governor's Academy school campus. The marsh is brackish and is located off Middle Road in Newbury , MA , near Thurlow's Bridge.

Year 2009, Plant species present along vegetation transects off the marsh on Middle Rd, Newbury, MA. Near Thurlow's Bridge and Governor's Academy.

This study was conducted in the Fall of 2009, by Governor's Academy high school science class students with their teacher Susan Olezsko-Zsuts to look at the annual presence and absence of marsh plants in the tidal marsh near the Governor's Academy school campus. The marsh is brackish and is located off Middle Road in Newbury , MA , near Thurlow's Bridge.

Rainfall Manipulation Study Vegetation Data from the Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Creosote Shrubland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2003-2011)

The overall goal of the rainfall manipulation project is to understand the coupled ecological and hydrological responses of a grassland, shrubland and a mixed grass-shrub vegetation community to extended periods of increased or decreased rainfall. Rainfall manipulation plots have been established in each of these three vegetation communities in the Five Points area of Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. In each vegetation community, three control plots, three drought treatment plots, and three water addition plots have been installed, each approximately 10 x 15 m in size. In each plot, vertical profiles of soil moisture probes have been installed under each cover type (canopy and interspace in grassland and shrubland; grass canopy, shrub canopy and interspace at the ecotone (mixed grass-shrub) site). The probes measure differences in infiltration and soil water content and potential associations with these different cover types. In addition, TDR probes have been installed diagonally in each cover type to integrate the water content of the top 15 cm of soil. Each plot contains 18, 1m2 quads made up of 6, 1m2 quads along each of the 3 transects located across each plot. Each spring and fall, the following parameters are measured in every quad: live plant cover, height, and abundance by species; dead plant cover; soil cover; litter cover; and rock cover. Data collection began in the drought and control plots in the spring of 2002. Data collection began in the water addition plots in the spring of 2004.In the grassland and shrubland communities, all nine currently established plots are located together. The three drought plots were located under a single large roof with a 0.5 m path separating each plot (drought treatments ended in 2006). The control plots and water addition plots are similarly grouped, but without the shelter structure. In the ecotone community, the plots are in three groups; each group is comprised of one drought plot, one water addition plot, and one

Pino Gate Prairie Dog Study: Landscape-scale Vegetation Plot Data from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1999-2002)

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and banner-tailed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis) are considered keystone species of grassland ecosystems, and co-occur in the arid grasslands of the southwestern United States and in Mexico. Their keystone status is attributed primarily to the effects of their burrowing and foraging behavior, but they differ ecologically in several important respects. We studied the comparative functional roles of these species where they co-occur at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, focusing on their impacts on grassland vegetation. We found that vegetation cover, structure, and species richness varied across a gradient extending out from the mound centers, and these patterns differed between prairie dog and kangaroo rat mounds. Certain species and functional groups of plants associated differentially with mounds and landscape patches occupied by prairie dogs and banner-tailed kangaroo rats. Where both species co-occurred locally there was greater soil disturbance, more organic material from their feces, and higher activity of other animals. The overall effect of these rodents was to create a mosaic of different patches across the landscape such that their combined activities increased andscape heterogeneity and plant species richness. Our results demonstrate complementary effects of two co-occurring keystone species on their associated biotic communities.

Pino Gate Prairie Dog Study: Mound-scale Vegetation Plot Data from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2000-2002)

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and banner-tailed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis) are considered keystone species of grassland ecosystems, and co-occur in the arid grasslands of the southwestern United States and in Mexico. Their keystone status is attributed primarily to the effects of their burrowing and foraging behavior, but they differ ecologically in several important respects. We studied the comparative functional roles of these species where they co-occur at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, focusing on their impacts on grassland vegetation. We found that vegetation cover, structure, and species richness varied across a gradient extending out from the mound centers, and these patterns differed between prairie dog and kangaroo rat mounds. Certain species and functional groups of plants associated differentially with mounds and landscape patches occupied by prairie dogs and banner-tailed kangaroo rats. Where both species co-occurred locally there was greater soil disturbance, more organic material from their feces, and higher activity of other animals. The overall effect of these rodents was to create a mosaic of different patches across the landscape such that their combined activities increased landscape heterogeneity and plant species richness. Our results demonstrate complementary effects of two co-occurring keystone species on their associated biotic communities.

Discontinued Vegetation Line-Intercept Transects in Transition Zones at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1989-1998)

The line-intercept transects included in this data set have been discontinued. These transects were installed to evaluate temporal and spatial dynamics in vegetation transition zones (e.g.black grama grassland/creosote shrubland) at one centimeter resolution. Each study site originally contained four 400 m transects, representing total coverage of 1 sq km. The transects were placed along a roughly north/south azimuth. The northwestern and southwestern transects were 100 meters from the western edge of the 1 sq km study area and the northeastern and southeastern transects were 100 m from the eastern edge, providing 800 meters between the eastern and western transects. The northeastern and northwestern transects began to the north and, after an interval of 200 meters, the southeastern and northeastern transects began, terminating at the southern edge of the study area. Ongoing line-intercept transect data for transect 1, which continues to be sampled at both Deep Well and Five Points, can be found in SEV004.

Gunnison's Prairie Dog Relocation Project: Vegetation Standing Crop Data from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2005-2011)

Grasslands are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world where the loss of native species is a consequence of agriculture and desertification. In North America, 90% of the grassland has been converted to cropland where vast areas are now desertified. North America's most iconic grassland herbivores, bison and prairie dogs, are now extinct throughout most of their historic range. This study measures the standing crop of plant vegetation (perennial and annual combined) for the year on areas occupied and not occupied by Gunnison's prairie dogs on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

openOpenSep 2010View details →

Vegetation Surveys in Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Shrubland Sites Associated with Coyote Scat Surveys at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2008-2009)

This data set contains information regarding vegetation structure at sites in grama grassland and both creosote and mesquite shrubland habitats at the Sevilleta NWR. This information was collected at randomly selected sites throughout the refuge. Each site is within 100 meters of one of the 22 road-based transects(20 in 2008) that were used to carry out coyote scat surveys during three seasons (spring, summer and fall) in 2009 (see "Coyote scat surveys in grassland and shrubland sites at the Sevilleta NWR, spring, summer and fall 2009" data set). Data was collected within at total of 22 circular vegetation plots (40 in 2008), each of which is 30m in diameter. Each plot was surveyed a total of three times, specifically in: April (spring), July (summer), and October (fall) 2009. Variables were selected based on their relevance to patterns of coyote habitat use, as well as their utility in calibrating Landsat images of the study site and the likelihood that they would vary seasonally. Measured variables include: average percent live woody vegetation cover, average percent live grass cover, average percent live forb cover, and average woody plant height. Information on woody plant species with individuals greater than 0.5 m in height is also presented.

Deep Well Burn Line-Intercept Vegetation Transects at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1995-2009)

A natural burn occurred in the Deep Well area of McKenzie Flats in June, 1995, following which studies were initiated to evaluate the effect of fire on plant species composition and the spatial and temporal dynamics of regrowth. The burn area was approximately 24 hectares, forming a swath about 200 m wide from the initial lightning-ignition source. The fire moved in a westward direction from the ignition point, leaving a relatively straight border along the southern boundary and an irregular edge along the northern boundary. The fire was extinguished naturally.One week after the burn, four 100 m line-intercept transects were established along the southern boundary of the burn. Transects were installed perpendicular to the burn, so that 50 m lay inside the burned area and 50 m outside, in unburned grassland. The first transect (nearest the road) was placed 100 m from the west end of the burn and identified as Transect A. The remaining transects (B,C,D) were located at 200 m intervals from Transect A. Rebar was placed at 0 m, 50 m, and 100 m and these points recorded with a GPS unit. Initial measurements were made in October, 1995. In subsequent years, measurements have been made in late May and late September to evaluate the response of "cool season" and "warm season" plant species. Another fire occurred on June 24, 2001. This burn only affected the unburned southern end of one transect. A prescribed burn in 2003 did not affect the transects.

Small Mammal Exclosure Study (SMES) Vegetation Line Intercept from Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Shrubland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1995-2005)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the activities of small mammals regulate plant community structure, plant species diversity, and spatial vegetation patterns in Chihuahuan Desert shrublands and grasslands. What role if any do indigenous small mammal consumers have in maintaining desertified landscapes in the Chihuahuan Desert? Additionally, how do the effects of small mammals interact with changing climate to affect vegetation patterns over time? This is data for perennial plant vegetation canopy cover measured from all SMES study plots, fall 1995 and fall 2005. The purpose of this data is to provide ground-truth data for comparison with low-level aerial photographs of each study plot. Three, 29 meter lines were measured along three of six rows of the permanent vegetation measurement quadrats. Each line was measured at 10cm resolution for intercepts of perennial plant live canopy cover, and for bare ground. 10cm resolution is comparable to the resolution of the aerial photos. All plants were identified to the species level. These line-intercept measurements are taken once every ten years, at the same time that low-level aerial photographs are taken. These data will be compared to both decadal air photos, and annual measures ofvegetation from one-meter2 quadrats on each plot to provide information on vegetation change over time relative to the various animal exclosure treatments.

SGS-LTER Long-Term Monitoring Project: Vegetation Cover on Small Mammal Trapping Webs on the Central Plains Experimental Range, Nunn, Colorado, USA 1999 -2006, ARS Study Number 118

This data package was produced by researchers working on the Shortgrass Steppe Long Term Ecological Research (SGS-LTER) Project, administered at Colorado State University. Long-term datasets and background information (proposals, reports, photographs, etc.) on the SGS-LTER project are contained in a comprehensive project collection within the Digital Collections of Colorado (http://digitool.library.colostate.edu/R/?func=collections&collection_id=3429). The data table and associated metadata document, which is generated in Ecological Metadata Language, may be available through other repositories serving the ecological research community and represent components of the larger SGS-LTER project collection. Additional information and referenced materials can be found: http://hdl.handle.net/10217/83458. The abundance and diversity of small mammals in shortgrass steppe is strongly influenced by the structure and composition of vegetation. Vegetation structure provides cover from predators and harsh abiotic conditions. Plant species composition affects the types of seeds and herbaceous material available to granivores and herbivores, and influences arthropod populations, which are important prey for the omnivorous species that dominate in shortgrass steppe. Both vegetation structure and plant community composition are sensitive to the availability of precipitation as well as the activity of large mammalian herbivores. In 1999, we began measuring vegetation structure and plant community composition on the three grassland and three shrubland trapping webs where we live-trap small mammals. Vegetation measurements are made once each year, usually in mid-July. Percent canopy cover of each plant species was estimated visually in 30 0.10-m2 Daubenmire quadrats on each web. To estimate habitat structure, we measured the height of grass, forb and shrub plants adjacent to each quadrat, the density of half-shrubs, small mammal mounds and burrows, harvester ant mounds and the dimension

SGS-LTER Long-Term Monitoring Project: Vegetation Structure on Small Mammal Trapping Webs on the Central Plains Experimental Range, Nunn, Colorado, USA 1999 -2006, ARS Study Number 118