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openCC (other)Oct 2019View details →

Rodent data from trapping webs in the long-term Small Mammal Exclusion Study (SMES) at Jornada Basin LTER, 1995-2007

This data package contains rodent trapping data from plots with various levels of herbivore exclusion on the Jornada Experimental Range (JER) and Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center (CDRRC) lands. Study sites were established in 1995; one in black grama grassland and the other in creosotebush shrubland to compare the impact of herbivores on ecosystem processes between these vegetation types. Parallel studies were established at the Sevilleta LTER site (New Mexico, USA) and Mapimi Biosphere Reserve (Durango, Mexico). Each study site is 1 km by 0.5 km in area. Three replicate rodent trapping webs and four replicate experimental blocks were randomly located at each study site. Rodent trapping webs were used to measure rodent population density and species diversity over time, while the experimental blocks measure vegetation responses to herbivore exclusion treatments including a) all mammalian herbivores, including cattle, lagomorphs, and rodents, b) lagomorphs and cattle only, c) cattle only, and d) control accessible to all herbivores. Rodent populations were sampled from each of the three webs at each study site during overnight trapping campaigns twice per year, in the early (April-May) and late (September-October) summer between 1995 and 2007 (trapping study terminated after October 2007). During each trapping campaign, live-traps were left open for three consecutive nights, and captured animals were recorded on the three subsequent mornings. Each animal caught was identified, measured, and released at the same location where it was captured. This study is complete.

openCC (other)Oct 2019View details →

Daily summary precipitation data from a tipping bucket rain gauge near former Jornada Basin LTER Biodiversity study site, 1996-ongoing

This data package contains daily precipitation values from a rain gauge near the former Biodiversity study site at the Jornada Basin LTER in southern New Mexico, USA. Data collection at the Biodiversity site began in 1996 and is now complete. Data collection from the tipping bucket rain gauge near this site commenced in April 1996. The data file included here reports daily precipitation totals in millimeters (mm). Data collection from this tipping bucket rain gauge is ongoing and collected on a monthly basis (data package may be updated less frequently).

openCC (other)Oct 2019View details →

High resolution precipitation event data from a tipping bucket gauge near former Jornada Basin LTER Biodiversity study site, 1996-ongoing

This data package contains high temporal resolution values from a tipping bucket rain gauge during rain events near the former Biodiversity study site at the Jornada Basin LTER in southern New Mexico, USA. Data collection at the Biodiversity site began in 1996 and is now complete. Data collection from the tipping bucket rain gauge near this site commenced in April 1996. The data file included here reports 1-second (1997-2016) or 1-minute (2016-present) frequency precipitation data, in millimeters, from this rain gauge during precipitation events. There are no data records for rain amounts less than 0.1 mm. Data collection from this tipping bucket rain gauge is ongoing and collected on a monthly basis (data package may be updated less frequently).

openCC (other)Dec 2019View details →

Surface abrasion and crust evolution following vegetation removal at the Jornada Basin LTER Scrape Site, 1995 to 2019

This data package contains measurements of soil surface abrasion and the evolution of soil crust shear strength following a soil and vegetation removal (scrape) treatment at the Jornada Basin LTER site in southern New Mexico, USA. Soil erosion and soil crust shear strength is measured at 3 locations along the prevailing wind direction across a site initially scraped in 1995 to remove the A soil horizon in a 100 meter radius semicircle. There are three monitoring stations (East, Middle, West) on the Scrape Site. The West site is the windward site, the East site is the leeward site, and the middle site is halfway between the other two. At each location, measurements are taken of the distance of the sand surface and soil crust to a crossbar set into the soil. Three "Torvane" measurements that measure the torque (shear strength) needed to break the crust are also made at each location. These measurements were made monthly until 2014, and are made annually since 2015. The Scrape Site has now become the location for the GROWES study (JRN study IDs 511 and 523). Data collection for this study is ongoing.

openCC (other)Aug 2019View details →

Evaporation pan data from the Jornada Basin LTER weather station, 1983-ongoing

This package contains data from an evaporation pan at the Jornada Basin LTER weather station in southern New Mexico, USA. Surface evaporation is measured weekly to twice weekly using an evaporation pan compatible with standard National Weather Service evaporation measurements. Measurements are made twice per week during hot periods because of the high evaporation rate. The following data is collected: number of days between measurements, beginning and ending measurement period, current, minimum, and maximum water temperature; initial water level; final water level; rainfall since last evaporation measurement, and calculated evaporation (inches). Data collection is ongoing.

openCC (other)Feb 2020View details →

Soil water content under rainfall manipulation and nitrogen fertilization treatments at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 2007-2009

This data package contains soil water content data from a precipitation and nitrogen manipulation experiment conducted on the Jornada Experimental Range from 2006-2009. The objective of the study was to understand the interaction of precipitation and nitrogen dynamics on ANPP legacies. Rain-out shelters were used to create 5 levels of precipitation: 80% reduced, 50% reduced, ambient control, 50% increased, and 80% increased precipitation. Half of the plots were randomly assigned to receive ammonium nitrate fertilizer. In a subset of the plots, volumetric soil water content was monitored at shallow (0-5 cm) and deep (30-50 cm) depths. This data set contains the date of collection, block number, plot number, 2007-2008 precipitation treatment, 2009 precipitation treatment, nitrogen treatment, depth of soil probe, sensor voltage, and volumetric water content. Monitoring of soil moisture for this study was discontinued in November 2009. Also available are plant cover data from this study in data package knb-lter-jrn.210278002. For further information and results, see: Throop, H., L. G. Reichmann, O. Sala, and S. Archer. (2012), Response of dominant grass and shrub species to water manipulation: an ecophysical basis for shrub invasion in a Chihuahuan desert grassland. Oecologia 169: 373-383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2217-4 Reichmann, L. G., O. E. Sala, and D. P. C. Peters. (2013), Water controls on nitrogen transformations and stocks in an arid ecosystem. Ecosphere 4(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1890/ES12-00263.1

openCC (other)Feb 2020View details →

Plant cover under precipitation and nitrogen manipulation treatments at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 2006-2008

This data package contains plot cover data from a precipitation and nitrogen manipulation experiment conducted on the Jornada Experimental Range from 2006-2008. The objective of the study was to understand the interaction of precipitation and nitrogen fertilization on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) legacies. Rain-out shelters or supplemental irrigation were used to create 5 levels of precipitation: -80% and -50% reduced, ambient control, and +50% and +80% increased PPT. Half of the plots were randomly assigned to receive ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Plant cover was sampled with a line intercept method in fall 2006 before any treatments began, then again in fall 2007 and 2008 after treatments had been applied. Also available are soil moisture data from this study in data package knb-lter-jrn.210278001. For further information and results, see: Throop, H., L. G. Reichmann, O. Sala, and S. Archer. (2012), Response of dominant grass and shrub species to water manipulation: an ecophysical basis for shrub invasion in a Chihuahuan desert grassland. Oecologia 169: 373-383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2217-4 Reichmann, L. G., O. E. Sala, and D. P. C. Peters. (2013), Water controls on nitrogen transformations and stocks in an arid ecosystem. Ecosphere 4(1):11. <link xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1890/ES12-00263.1">https://doi.org/10.1890/ES12-00263.1</link> Reichmann, L.G., Sala, O.E. and Peters, D.P.C. (2013), Precipitation legacies in desert grassland primary production occur through previous‐year tiller density. Ecology, 94: 435-443. https://doi.org/ <link xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1890/12-1237.1">10.1890/12-1237.1</link>

Annual measurements of vegetation canopy and basal gap intercepts from the three Conmod Pilot study locations at Jornada Basin LTER, 2008-2016

This data package contains annual measurements of vegetation canopy and basal gap sizes from transects at the Connectivity Modifier (Conmod) Pilot study on the Jornada Experimental Range from 2008-2016. There were 3 sites for this study: Gravelly Ridges, Aeolian, and Dona Ana. Within each site, there were 8 study plots, 4 of which were treatment plots where connectivity modules (conmods) were installed to decrease gap sizes between perennial vegetation. The plots were 8 x 8 meters and had an 8 x 8 meter buffer zone on both sides of the plot (upwind and downwind). Beginning in 2008, vegetation canopy and basal gap sizes were collected annually in all plots using the gap intercept method. These data were collected in 2008-2010, 2012 and 2016. At each plot, four parallel 24-meter transects crossing the upwind buffer, the plot, and the downwind buffer were measured. These parallel transects were spaced at 0.8, 2.8, 4.3, and 7.2 meter intervals across the plot and buffer areas. This study is complete (finished in 2016) and was the pilot study to the newer Cross Scale Interactions Study.

Annual measurements of vegetation cover on line-point intercept transects from the three Conmod Pilot study locations at Jornada Basin LTER, 2008-2016

This data package contains annual measurements of vegetation cover, species, and height from transects at the Connectivity Modifier (Conmod) Pilot study on the Jornada Experimental Range from 2008-2016. There were 3 sites for this study: Gravelly Ridges, Aeolian, and Dona Ana. Within each site, there were 8 study plots, 4 of which were treatment plots where connectivity modules (conmods) were installed to decrease gap sizes between perennial vegetation. The plots were 8 x 8 meters and had an 8 x 8 meter buffer zone on both sides of the plot (upwind and downwind). Beginning in 2008, vegetation cover by species, and vegetation heights were collected annually in all plots using the line-point intercept method. These data were collected in 2008-2010, 2012 and 2016. At each plot, four parallel 24-meter transects crossing the upwind buffer, the plot, and the downwind buffer were measured. These parallel transects were spaced at 0.8, 2.8, 4.3, and 7.2 meter intervals across the plot and buffer areas. Vegetation cover and height were read at points arranged at 25 centimeter increments along each transect. This study is complete (finished in 2016) and was the pilot study to the newer Cross Scale Interactions Study.

Bedload data (deposition from overland flow) measured at the three Conmod Pilot study locations at Jornada Basin LTER, 2008-2010

This data package contains measurements of bedload samples (suspended particles) collected during overland flow events in the Connectivity Modifier (Conmod) Pilot study on the Jornada Experimental Range from 2008-2010. There were 3 sites for this study: Gravelly Ridges, Aeolian, and Dona Ana. Within each site, there were 8 study plots, 4 of which were treatment plots where connectivity modules (conmods) were installed to decrease gap sizes between perennial vegetation. The plots were 8 x 8 meters and had an 8 x 8 meter buffer zone on both sides of the plot (upwind and downwind). To collect water from overland flow events, four to six belowground catchment containers were installed in upslope and downslope buffer zones at each study plots. Bedload containers were monitored monthly 2008, 2009, and 2010. Bedload material collected by the containers during overland flow events was weighed and analyzed for organic matter content by the loss on ignition method. This study is complete and was the pilot study to the newer Cross Scale Interactions Study.

Repeat, ground-based photographs of microplots at the three Conmod Pilot study locations at Jornada Basin LTER, 2008-2016

This data package contains ground-based, repeat photographs taken at plots in the Connectivity Modifier (Conmod) Pilot study on the Jornada Experimental Range from 2008-2016. There were 3 sites for this study: Gravelly Ridges, Aeolian, and Dona Ana. Within each site, there were 8 study plots, 4 of which were treatment plots where connectivity modules (conmods) were installed to decrease gap sizes between perennial vegetation. The plots were 8 x 8 meters and had an 8 x 8 meter buffer zone on both sides of the plot (upwind and downwind). Beginning in 2008, photographs were taken once to twice per year at ten microplots located within the 8 study plots per site to document plant litter, plant germination and growth, and soil deposition/removal by wind and water transport. Five photos were taken of each microplot: One overhead (from directly over the microplot) and 4 lateral views at ground level from each cardinal direction. This data package only contains archives with the overhead photographs, but lateral view photos are available on request. Photo filenames are fully descriptive of the site, plot, microplot, photo view, and date taken (see Methods description for details). This study is complete (finished in 2016) and was the pilot study to the newer Cross Scale Interactions Study.

openCC (other)Jun 2020View details →

Mass and energy fluxes from the US-Jo2 AmeriFlux eddy covariance tower in Tromble Weir experimental watershed at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 2010-ongoing

This data package contains metadata for, and links to, 30-minute mass and energy flux data collected at an eddy covariance tower in the Tromble Weir Watershed area of the Jornada Basin in southern New Mexico, USA. These data are used to quantify the water and energy balances in a small experimental watershed, including observational studies to calculate groundwater recharge as a water balance residual, to build relations between soil moisture state and ET flux, and to quantify land-atmosphere interactions and improve our understanding of the eddy covariance method. Additionally, they have been used in modeling studies as a validation of model performance. The .csv files included in this package list and describe the data entities and variables present in data files archived at the AmeriFlux data repository (site US-Jo2; http://ameriflux.lbl.gov/sites/siteinfo/US-Jo2). The data at AmeriFlux include the 30-minute mass and energy fluxes calculated from 20 Hz data collected at the Tromble Weir Watershed tower. Instrument descriptions and detailed procedures are found in the references listed in the Methods section of this EDI package. This is an ongoing dataset that will be updated annually.

Microarthropod and nematode effects on soil nitrogen availability in fluffgrass mesocosms at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 1986-1987

This data package contains soil nitrogen measurements taken over a 12-week interval in soils treated to exclude microarthropods and nematodes. The purpose of this study was to test if changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes results in changes in soil nitrogen availability. In 1986 and 1987, 110 fluff grass (Dasyochloa pulchella) plants were collected from the Jornada Basin College Ranch and transplanted into pots, which contained 5 replicates of each treatment. The 4 treatments include 1) control, 2) NEMACUR (to exclude nematodes), 3) chlordane (to exclude mites) and 4) NEMACUR + Chlordane. Each was sampled 5 times during a 12-week interval after the initial treatment. Pots were watered weekly to maintain conditions at field capacity. Samples were taken from the rhizosphere and analyzed for NO3(-)- N, NH4(+)-N, Inorganic-N, microbial-N, % H20, % organic matter, root biomass, and nematode density. This study was completed in 1987.

Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass rhizosphere nitrogen mineralization potential at the Jornada Basin LTER site in 1987

This data package contains data on soil nitrogen mineralization potential in the rhizosphere of fluffgrass (Dasyochloa pulchella) plants from 1987. This study was conducted at the Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, impacts fluffgrass growth and nutrient cycling. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments:1) Chlordane (to exclude microarthropods), 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. Three randomly located subsamples were taken from each plot and consisted of the fluff grass plant, a 10 cm in diameter and 15 cm deep soil core centered on each plant. Samples were incubated for 0, 2, 4, or 8 weeks. This data set contains information on the incubation time, soil nitrate (NO3-), soil ammonium (NH4+), and soil water content for each subsample. This data were collected in May 1987 and the study is complete.

openCC (other)May 2020View details →

Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass tissue nitrogen at the Jornada Basin LTER site in 1986

This data package contains fluff grass (Dasyochloa pulchella) tissue nitrogen data from plants collected at the Jornada Basin LTER site in southern New Mexico, USA, in 1987. The purpose of this study was to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, results in changes in fluff grass growth and nitrogen acquisition. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Chlordane to exclude microarthropods, 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. For four consecutive months, randomly selected fluff grass plants were collected from each plot and the flowers, green leaves, and grey leaves were separated for total nitrogen digestion analysis and dry weight measurement. This data set consists of sampling date, treatment, plant matter, total nitrogen (mg/g) and dry weight (g). Data was collected in 1987 and the study is complete.

Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass growth at the Jornada Basin LTER, March to September 1986

This data package contains fluff grass (Dasyochloa pulchella) growth measurements taken during the growing period in 1986 (March, July, and September). The purpose of this study was to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, results in changes in fluff grass growth. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Chlordane to exclude microarthropods, 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. Within each plot, fluff grass plants were permanently tagged for continuous measurements of plant diameter and height during the three sampling dates. Data consists of the date of measurement, the longest diameter (cm), the diameter (cm) perpendicular to the longest diameter, and height (cm). This study was completed in September 1986.

Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass rhizosphere nitrate (NO3) at the Jornada Basin LTER, 1986-1987

This data package contains data on nitrogen availability (as nitrate, NO3-), measured with ion exchange resin bags, in fluffgrass (Dasyochloa pulchella) rhizosphere soil from 1986-1987. This study was conducted at the Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, impacts fluffgrass growth and nutrient cycling. An ion exchange resin bag technique (Binkley 1984, Lajtha 1988) was used to determine nitrate availability. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments:1) Chlordane (to exclude microarthropods), 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. Ten anion exchange bags were placed in the rhizosphere of a fluffgrass plant in each plot. Bags were left in the field 3 months, collected, brought to the lab and analyzed for available nitrate (NO3-) using an automated cadmium reduction procedure. The data table contains bag collection date, treatment, and NO3- (mg/kg) concentration. This study is complete.

Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass rhizosphere ammonium (NH4) at the Jornada Basin LTER, 1986-1987

This data package contains data on nitrogen availability (as ammonium, NH4+), measured with ion exchange resin bags, in fluffgrass (Dasyochloa pulchella) rhizosphere soil from 1986-1987. This study was conducted at the Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, impacts fluffgrass growth and nutrient cycling. An ion exchange resin bag technique (Binkley 1984, Lajtha 1988) was used to determine ammonium availability. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments:1) Chlordane (to exclude microarthropods), 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. Two cation exchange bags were placed in the rhizosphere of a fluffgrass plant in each plot. Bags were left in the field 3 months, collected, brought to the lab and analyzed for available ammonium (NH4+) using a salicylate procedure. The data table contains bag collection date, treatment, and NH4+ (mg/kg) concentration. This study is complete.

openCC (other)May 2020View details →

Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass growth, root nitrogen, and mite and nematode abundance at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 1986-1987

This data package contains data on microarthropods, nematodes, fluff-grass (Dasyochloa pulchella) growth, and root nitrogen in samples from study plots sampled approximately monthly between May 1986 and August 1987 at the Jornada Basin LTER site in southern New Mexico USA. The purpose of this study was to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, results in changes in fluff grass growth and root nitrogen. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Chlordane to exclude microarthropods, 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. At monthly intervals, randomly selected fluff grass plants were collected from each plot. This data set consists of plant diameters (cm), mite soil weight (g), root weight (g), nematode soil weight (g), root total nitrogen (mg/g), and nematode number. This study was completed in November 1987.