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Fall 2022 plant monitoring survey -- shoot height and flowering status of plants in permanent plots at GCE sampling sites 1-10

A quadrat survey was conducted in October 2022 to measure the species and size distribution of plants at 10 GCE LTER sampling sites. The quadrats were established as permanent plots at GCE sampling sites in October 2000 by placing wooden stakes at random locations across two nominal zones at each site, designated based on marsh structure (creekbank and high marsh). New plots were added each year as necessary to replace those lost due to catastrophic wrack disturbance or creek bank erosion. The plots were visually surveyed and the species, shoot height, and flowering status was recorded individually for each shoot over 10 cm in height present in each plot. Observations from plots exhibiting signs of disturbance were noted in a separate data set (PLT-GCEM-1801). This survey will be repeated annually to assess changes in plant distribution and biomass in relation to environmental changes documented by other GCE LTER monitoring efforts.

Fall 2022 plant monitoring survey -- biomass calculated from shoot height and flowering status of plants in permanent plots at GCE sampling sites 1-10

The biomass of plants surveyed in permanent plots at 10 GCE LTER sampling sites in October 2022 was estimated based on allometric relationships between biomass and shoot height and flowering status derived for each site, zone, and species in October 2002 and October 2008. Biomass was calculated for dominant species, including Spartina alterniflora, S. cynosuroides, Juncus roemerianus, and Zizaniopsis miliacea, as well as rarer species including Scirpus spp, Panicum spp. And Typha angustifolia. This data set is based on GCE plant monitoring survey data set PLT-GCEM-2111a, and allometric relationships were based on GCE data sets PLT-GCEM-0211b, PLT-GCEM-0711, and PLT-GCEM-2011.

Survey of adult and juvenile periwinkle snail (Littoraria irrorata) density in mid-marsh and creekbank plots at GCE LTER study sites in October 2022.

To characterize spatial variation in the adult and juvenile density of periwinkle snails, Littoraria irrorata, within two zones in the salt marsh, the mid-marsh and creekbank, and across a gradient in salinity and distance to ocean, we surveyed snail density in October 2022. In each marsh zone at each GCE LTER permanent monitoring site, we counted the number of adult and juvenile snails in 8 creekbank and 12 mid-marsh replicate quadrats.

Soil salinity at GCE-LTER vegetation monitoring plots in October 2022

Soil samples were collected in conjunction with Fall 2022 plant monitoring at half of the permanent vegetation monitoring plots in the creekbank and midmarsh zones at 10 GCE study sites. Pore-water salinity was determined by analysis of supernatant salinity in dried soil samples hydrated with a measured volume of deionized water.

Yearly survey of barnacle settlement near creekbank plots at GCE LTER study sites in October 2022

To characterize spatial variation in barnacle recruitment at the creekbank, and across a gradient in salinity and distance to ocean, we deployed PVC poles to passive sample barnacle settlement. Eight poles were deployed between 4-5m apart adjacent to the creekbank vegetation monitoring plots at each GCE LTER permanent monitoring site each Fall beginning in 2012. These poles were then collected the following Fall and all barnacle that settled on the poles were identified and counted on 50cm-long sections of the 8, 3/4" diameter PVC poles. Four species settled on poles and were counted and recorded: Chthamalus fragilis, Balanus spp., Geukensia demissa, and Oysters (Crassostrea virginica).

openCC (other)Nov 2025View details →

Characterizing the ecology and soil biogeochemistry of wetland transition zones along the Satilla River Estuary, GA, USA.

The location of salinity gradients in coastal wetlands, from tidal freshwater sourced from riverine inputs to polyhaline sourced from saline ocean water, is subject to natural and unnatural shifts due to climactic patterns such as changes in discharge, sea-level rise (SLR), and alterations to hydrology. Increased inundation in of saltwater in the Satilla River has resulted in conversions of plant communities from fresh or brackish to salt tolerant species that has implications for belowground soil biogeochemistry. These data explore the translation of aboveground properties to soil properties in transitional wetlands in poly-, meso-, and oligohaline regions and across elevation gradients from levee to platform in the Satilla River Estuary, GA by characterizing the ecological communities and soil size fractionation, total organic carbon content (TOC) and composition (delta13C).

openCC (other)Aug 2023View details →

Pred-Ex: Long Term Salt Marsh Predator Exclusion Experiment Conducted at Sapelo Island, GA

In southeastern USA salt marshes, short-term and small-scale experiments indicate that a trophic cascade benefits the foundation plant Spartina alterniflora: marine predators (nekton) positively affect plant biomass by consuming snail and crab herbivores. To test how nekton affect marsh processes when the entire animal community is present, and to test how prior results scale up over time, we conducted a 3-year predator exclusion experiment in a Georgia salt marsh using replicated 19.6 m2 plots. We measured the response of changing density for all marsh invertebrates, conducted snail and crab tethering trials, quantified change in marsh grass biomass, and measured tea bag decomposition rate across all plots.

openCC (other)Jan 2026View details →

Spartina alterniflora marsh vegetation data along the Georgia coast used in the Belowground Ecosystem Resiliency Model version 2.0

Study plots (1-m2) were established in eight Spartina alterniflora-dominated marshes (7 on Sapelo Island, Georgia, and 1 on Skidaway Island, Georgia). At three sites, plots were sampled once each during May, July, August, September, and October of 2016. At all sites, plots were sampled once each during June, August, and November of 2021, February, May, August, and November of 2022, and February of 2023. One long-term (quarterly 2013 to 2023) GCE LTER sampling site is also included. Nine replicate plots were placed in vegetated marsh along transects that spanned 3 Landsat-8 and -9 pixel footprints, with 3 plots per pixel footprint. In each plot, measurements included plant biomass, plant species, stem density, and height. Aboveground biomass was calculated using allometric relationships between plant height and mass from plant clipping studies. During these surveys, destructive core sampling was also performed in the proximity of the plots (n = 1 per plot) to measure above and below ground biomass. Chlorophyll, foliar N, and Leaf Area Index measurements were taken in the proximity of the plots. This dataset reflects an update to the "PLT-GCED-2106" dataset (doi: 10.6073/pasta/03f4f78c6498aecca34faf4339591129). This project also utilized data from the "PLT-GCEM-1610" dataset doi: 10.6073/pasta/9746c71b35e9f8c544ea12c601c33949). Those data utilized in this project are duplicated here for completeness.

openCC (other)Nov 2024View details →

Mollusc population abundance monitoring: Fall 2022 mid-marsh and creekbank infaunal and epifaunal mollusc abundance based on collections from GCE marsh, monitoring sites 1-10

This data set is the Fall 2022 estimate of infaunal and epifaunal mollusc abundance at the GCE-LTER marsh sites used for population monitoring. Species abundance was determined by hand-collecting all the infaunal and epifaunal molluscs from within quadrats of known area in mid-marsh and creekbank zones (n = 4 quadrats per zone) at all sites. The molluscs were returned to the lab, fixed in ethanol, transferred to and preserved in ethanol, counted and measured (size data is reported separately). The counts were converted to number per square meter. Gastropod species are listed first, followed by bivalve species. Size distribution data for these collections may be found in the GCE-LTER data set INV-GCEM-2307a.

openCC (other)Nov 2024View details →

Mollusc population size distribution monitoring: Fall 2022 mid-marsh and creekbank infaunal and epifaunal mollusc size distributions based on collections from GCE marsh monitoring sites 1-10

This data set is the Fall 2022 report of infaunal and epifaunal mollusc species size distributions at the GCE-LTER marsh sites used for population monitoring. Infaunal and epifaunal molluscs were hand-collected from within quadrats of known area from mid-marsh and creekbank zones (n = 4 quadrats per zone) at all sites. The molluscs were returned to the lab, preserved in ethanol, measured and counted (count data is reported separately). Length of each measurable individual was determined using calipers or an ocular micrometer mounted in a stereomicroscope. Species abundance and density data for these collections may be found in the GCE-LTER data set INV-GCEM-2307. Numbers of individuals of each species in the abundance data file may not correspond exactly to the numbers of individuals in the size data file because some individuals may not have been measureable.

Fall 2023 plant monitoring survey -- shoot height and flowering status of plants in permanent plots at GCE sampling sites 1-10

A quadrat survey was conducted in October 2023 to measure the species and size distribution of plants at 10 GCE LTER sampling sites. The quadrats were established as permanent plots at GCE sampling sites in October 2000 by placing wooden stakes at random locations across two nominal zones at each site, designated based on marsh structure (creekbank and high marsh). New plots were added each year as necessary to replace those lost due to catastrophic wrack disturbance or creek bank erosion. The plots were visually surveyed and the species, shoot height, and flowering status was recorded individually for each shoot over 10 cm in height present in each plot. Observations from plots exhibiting signs of disturbance were noted in a separate data set (PLT-GCEM-1801). This survey will be repeated annually to assess changes in plant distribution and biomass in relation to environmental changes documented by other GCE LTER monitoring efforts.

Fall 2023 plant monitoring survey -- biomass calculated from shoot height and flowering status of plants in permanent plots at GCE sampling sites 1-10

The biomass of plants surveyed in permanent plots at 10 GCE LTER sampling sites in October 2023 was estimated based on allometric relationships between biomass and shoot height and flowering status derived for each site, zone, and species in October 2002 and October 2008. Biomass was calculated for dominant species, including Spartina alterniflora, S. cynosuroides, Juncus roemerianus, and Zizaniopsis miliacea, as well as rarer species including Scirpus spp, Panicum spp. And Typha angustifolia. This data set is based on GCE plant monitoring survey data set PLT-GCEM-2111a, and allometric relationships were based on GCE data sets PLT-GCEM-0211b, PLT-GCEM-0711, and PLT-GCEM-2011.

Fall 2023 crab population monitoring: mid-marsh and creek bank abundance based on crab hole counts at GCE marsh, monitoring sites 1-10

This data set is the Fall 2023 estimate of crab densities at the GCE-LTER marsh sites used for population monitoring. Crab abundance was determined by counting the number of crab holes within a 625 cm^2 quadrat and converting the counts to number per square meter. Counts were made in the mid-marsh and creek bank zones (n = 4 per zone) at GCE sites 1 through 10. Note that this census method does not differentiate which species made a particular hole and therefore only estimates total burrowing crab abundance, potentially including species Uca pugnax, Uca minax, Uca pugilator, Armases cinereum, Eurytium limosum and Sesarma reticulatum. Crab holes that are not actively maintained are quickly covered by tidal activity and other sediment disturbances, therefore plugged holes were assumed to be unoccupied and excluded from the counts.

Survey of adult and juvenile periwinkle snail (Littoraria irrorata) density in mid-marsh and creekbank plots at GCE LTER study sites in October 2023.

To characterize spatial variation in the adult and juvenile density of periwinkle snails, Littoraria irrorata, within two zones in the salt marsh, the mid-marsh and creekbank, and across a gradient in salinity and distance to ocean, we surveyed snail density in October 2023. In each marsh zone at each GCE LTER permanent monitoring site, we counted the number of adult and juvenile snails in 8 creekbank and 12 mid-marsh replicate quadrats.

openCC (other)Jan 2026View details →

Yearly survey of barnacle settlement near creekbank plots at GCE LTER study sites in October 2023

openCC (other)Mar 2025View details →

Soil salinity at GCE-LTER vegetation monitoring plots in October 2023

Soil samples were collected in conjunction with Fall 2023 plant monitoring at half of the permanent vegetation monitoring plots in the creekbank and midmarsh zones at 10 GCE study sites. Pore-water salinity was determined by analysis of supernatant salinity in dried soil samples hydrated with a measured volume of deionized water.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE1_Hydro (Sapelo River near Eulonia, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE1_Hydro (Sapelo River near Eulonia, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE2_Hydro (Four Mile Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE2_Hydro (Four Mile Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE3_Hydro (Sapelo Sound north of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE3_Hydro (Sapelo Sound north of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE6_Hydro (Doboy Sound south of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE6_Hydro (Doboy Sound south of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2021 through 31-Dec-2021. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.