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openCC (other)Aug 2025View details →

O. mykiss passages at the Stanislaus River weir, 2005-2025

The Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) provides funds to aid the San Joaquin Basin Steelhead Collaborative and initiate a Steelhead Life-Cycle Monitoring Program. This dataset includes observations of O. mykiss in the Stanislaus River during the steelhead spawning migration period, September through May. Fish are observed at an Alaskan-style weir outfitted with a VAKI Riverwatcher fish counting device. The counting device provides visual records of upstream passing individuals that are later reviewed by an experienced biologist. During times when the counting device is offline, a continuous video feed is reviewed to provide counts and identifications of passing fish. The length of passing fish is estimated using a known body depth to length ratio derived from individuals trapped and measured at the weir. The weir also has a trap box that, when closed, allows investigators to physically capture fish for measurements, biological sample collection, and injection of a PIT tag. There is also a PIT tag antenna affixed to the weir allowing detection of PIT tagged fish. There are three datasets currently associated with this project, 1) passage data for all O. mykiss from 2005 through 2025, 2) O. mykiss that were captured and processed from the trap, and 3) PIT tag detections from the PIT antenna.

openCC (other)Dec 2022View details →

Projected Snow Cover Reductions and Mid-latitude Cyclone Responses in the North American Great Plains, 1986 - 2005

Extratropical cyclones are responsible for major weather events and trends in the mid-latitudes and preferentially develop in regions of enhanced cyclogenesis and proceed along climatological storm tracks. It has been shown that terrestrial snow cover exerts considerable influence on atmospheric baroclinicity which is largely responsible for the aforementioned cyclogeneses and storm tracks. Research about the effect which terrestrial snow cover exerts on cyclones' intensities, trajectories, and precipitation characteristics is limited but indicates a robust relationship with these factors. Many examinations of climate model projections have generally shown a poleward shift in storm tracks by the late 21st century though none have determined the degree to which the coincident poleward shift in snow extent is responsible. A method of imposing 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile values of snow retreat between the late 20th and 21st centuries as projected by 14 models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase Five (CMIP5) is used to alter 20 historical cold season cyclones which tracked over or adjacent to the North American Great Plains. Simulations by the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecast Model (WRF-ARW) are initialized at 0 to 4 days prior to cyclogenesis. Including control and sensitivity testing wherein snow is unaltered or removed entirely, each cyclone case is simulated 25 times for a total of 500 simulations.

Effects of Prey Availability on Sarracenia Physiology at Harvard Forest 2005

Allometric relationships exist between maximal mass-based net photosynthetic rates, leaf mass per unit area, and foliar Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) content, which hold across a diverse spectrum of over 2500 plant species worldwide. Carnivorous plants depart from this spectrum because they dedicate substantial leaf area to capturing prey, from which they derive N and P under very nutrient-limiting situations. We conducted a manipulative feeding experiment to test whether morphological and physiological allometric relationships of carnivorous plants when nutrients are not limiting are more similar to allometric relationships of non-carnivorous plants. We examined the effects of prey availability on photosynthetic rate (Amass), chlorophyll fluorescence, growth, architecture, and foliar nutrient and chlorophyll content of ten pitcher plant (Sarracenia) species. We tested the hypothesis that increased prey availability would stimulate Amass of one or more leaves, increase photosynthetic N- and P-use efficiencies (PNUEN, PNUEP), increase relative biomass allocation to photosynthetically efficient, non-predatory phyllodes rather than pitchers, increase overall plant biomass, and reduce stress-related chlorophyll fluorescence. This is the first multi-species, controlled feeding experiment using realistic prey treatments, measuring these physiological parameters directly, and elucidating mechanisms of nutrient stoichiometry and allometry in carnivorous plants. Increased prey availability increased chlorophyll content, Amass and photosystem efficiency (the Fv/Fm ratio) across the 10 Sarracenia species. These increases were most evident in younger leaves, as older leaves rapidly translocated nutrients to newer, growing tissues. Better-fed plants produced a significantly higher proportion of phyllodes than controls. Higher prey availability was associated with lower N:P ratios, and a shift from P- to N-limitation. PNUEP was significantly enhanced by supplementary feeding, w

Moose Foraging in Temperate Forests of Central Massachusetts 2005

The "re-wilding" of ecosystems with extirpated large mammals has become a focus of recent scientific and conservation initiatives; however, it is unclear how proposed re-introductions will influence systems that are often vastly different from those that occurred before these animals were extirpated. Moose, the northeast’s largest Holocene browser, have recently expanded across southern New England’s temperate forest landscape after an absence of 200 years, realizing a natural re-wilding experiment. Moose have been well-studied throughout the boreal forest biome; however, because they are rare today in temperate forests, almost nothing is known of their ecology, behavior, or potential impacts to these ecosystems. This study investigated patterns of winter moose browse in order to: (1) gain insight into the likely influences of this herbivore on the vegetation patterns of the region; and (2) to identify the most important habitat features influencing moose winter foraging activity at a landscape and site scale. Two large forested watersheds in Central Massachusetts were sampled for moose browse, habitat features, and disturbances including forest harvesting and human activity. Chi-square and t-tests were used to identify browse species preferences of moose, and step-wise multiple regression was used to identify habitat variables that are strong predictors of browse intensity. Hardwoods and hemlock were favored over white pine, and browse intensity was significantly and positively related to forest harvesting, elevation, swamps, and distance to human settlement. The results from this study suggest that in the winter months, moose populations are concentrating in remote, elevated areas that are broken by swamps and have intensive forest harvests. In areas that support high moose densities, selective browsing, particularly in regenerating harvests, could promote less favored species like white pine at the expense of hardwoods and hemlock. The strong association between

Coarse Woody Debris in Hemlock Removal Experiment at Harvard Forest since 2005

The woody detritus survey is designed to measure coarse woody detritus that includes snags, logs, and stumps, and to estimate fine woody detritus which includes smaller pieces of downed wood. To capture both standing and downed wood, we based our survey around two main types of methods, the line intercept method and the fixed radius plot method. Surveys have been completed for 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021.

Eastern Redback Salamander Abundance in North Central Massachusetts 2005

Throughout the twentieth century several dominant tree species suffered severe decline in the eastern United States due to non-native pests and pathogens, yet little is known of the effects these losses have on ecosystem processes or associated wildlife populations (Orwig 2002). Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), an important late-successional tree species, is currently threatened throughout its range by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae; HWA), an invasive insect pest native to Japan (Orwig and Foster 1998). The unique structure and microenvironment of hemlock-dominated forests create critical landscape level heterogeneity, providing habitat for numerous bird and mammal species several of which are strongly associated with hemlock stands in the Northeast (Yamasaki et al. 2000). The effects of hemlock loss on associated wildlife is largely unknown, but is of particular concern for terrestrial salamanders as they are sensitive to microclimatic conditions that are likely to change as hemlocks decline. In this study, populations of eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), significant contributors to the overall vertebrate biomass in northeastern forests (Burton and Likens 1975a), are compared in hemlock-dominated and mixed deciduous forest. The objectives of this study was to 1) to determine whether the relative abundance, body condition, and size class structure of P. cinereus populations differ in hemlock-dominated forests versus mixed deciduous forests in north-central Massachusetts. A difference in age-class structure in the two forest types may suggest a difference in survivorship, while differences in body condition are driven by differences in the energy expenditure required to obtain food resources and can lead to differences in reproductive success 2) to evaluate how structure and microenvironment differ and determine which variables best predict the variation in relative abundance and body condition of P. cinereus in the two forest types.

Litterfall in Hemlock Removal Experiment at Harvard Forest since 2005

Hemlock decline in New England is caused by direct and indirect effects of invasion of the hemlock woolly adelgid. Direct damage from the insect is causing gradual mortality of hemlock, and widespread harvesting of hemlock in advance of mortality, in contrast, causes immediate mortality and removal of biomass from the site. Although both processes affect thousands of acres of forest annually we have only a limited understanding of their effects on forest ecosystem function and productivity and the nature of the subsequent forest community. We anticipate that harvesting will yield different consequences than gradual mortality from the insect. Therefore we designed an experiment to simulate these contrasting impacts, by logging or girdling hemlock stands. Results from the experimental treatments will be compared to the changes observed in forests that are being infested by the adelgid, and can also be included in integrated analyses of a suite of large experiments that form a core component of the Harvard Forest LTER program.

openCC0Mar 2025View details →

Microclimate at Harvard Forest HEM, LPH and EMS Towers since 2005

Microclimatic data are collected continuously within footprint areas of the flux towers in order to (1) understand relationships between climatic and microclimatic conditions and carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange between forest and atmosphere, (2) to develop predictive models for the exchange rates of these gases, based on microclimate data, (3) detect long-term trends in climate and microclimate at the sites and (4) determine whether the response of carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange processes to climate or microclimate is changing over time. The primary climatic and microclimatic variables measured at these sites include: above-canopy photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), forest understory PAR at 1 m height, total net radiation exchange measured above the forest canopy, air temperature and relative humidity above the forest canopy, forest understory air temperature at 20 cm and 1 m above ground level (shielded but not ventilated thermocouple sensors, used only to estimate nighttime understory air temperature), soil temperature at 10 cm depth, and soil moisture.

Foundation Species Revisited: Citation Analysis of Ellison et al. 2005

Ecologists and environmental scientists often prioritize research efforts with conservation importance. Dominant, widespread, or locally abundant species at low risk of extinction receive relatively little attention unless they are invasive. Native foundation species create habitats and environmental conditions that support many associated species and modulate local-scale ecosystem processes, but the generally high local or regional abundance of foundation species may lead to less research about them. We used citation analysis (2005-2014) to examine research following from a suggestion to identify and study foundation species while they were still common and not threatened. We explored the use and expanding definition of the foundation species concept, as well as the trajectory and ecological focus of research on foundation species throughout the world in 378 papers published in this nine-year span. Contemporary authors who cite key papers defining a foundation species pay little attention to its actual definition and species studied in this context rarely were identified as foundation species. Although functions and roles of foundation species, such as creating unique microclimates or supporting dependent species, are being studied, less research is focused on identifying them before they are threatened or lost from the ecosystem that they otherwise define. Invasive species were identified as the most common threat to foundation species. Our citation analysis and synthesis provides a new conceptual framework linking identification of and research about foundation species with their functional roles and our ability to manage emerging threats to them.

openCC0Feb 2026View details →

Prospect Hill Hydrological Stations at Harvard Forest since 2005

To better understand the critical role of headwater streams and wetlands in our forest ecosystem, long-term measurements were initiated in 2005 on two small watersheds in the Prospect Hill Tract of the Harvard Forest. On Nelson Brook, weirs were installed on outlet streams of an 11-ha spruce-hemlock wetland (watershed area = 44 ha). On Arthur Brook (formerly Bigelow Brook), pipes were installed to measure flow above (watershed = 24 ha) and below (watershed = 65 ha) a 3-ha shrub-dominated beaver swamp. The gaged watersheds, though adjacent and comparable in size, differ significantly in topography, soils, wetlands, stream chemistry, stream biota, land-use history, and forest vegetation, and provide an extraordinary opportunity to study the impacts of these factors on small watershed hydrology and ecology. Weekly manual measurements were initiated in April 2005. Continuous automated measurements were initiated at the stream gages in December 2007 and at the wetland gages in October 2008. Data for the current month are available online, updated every 15 minutes, with out-of-range values replaced by NA but values not otherwise checked. Earlier data are checked and archived monthly with missing, questionable, and estimated values flagged, following methods of the LTER ClimbDB project. A log of events affecting station measurements is also posted. For current data, please see: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/met-hydro-stations.

Invasive Species Mapping at Harvard Forest 2005

We are monitoring vegetation at the Harvard Forest for invasive plant populations with respect to land use history and other factors. Using our historical database for the Harvard Forest Prospect Hill tract, we have begun mapping the current distribution of non-native plants as a function of past land use. The 320 ha tract of Prospect Hill is mapped by parcels with known land-use history, soils, vegetation composition, and long-term vegetation dynamics. We plan to conduct annual vegetation surveys at Harvard Forest and the adjacent Quabbin Reservation to document six key non-native species currently present in the area: A. petiolata, the non-native shrubs B. thunbergii, Rhamnus cathartica, R. frangula, Lonicera spp. and the climbing vine, Celastrus orbiculatus. We will map the GPS coordinates and record cover estimates of each species and conduct spatial analyses on these data using our extensive records and GIS maps of land use histories at these locations. Detailed site histories will be determined certain species of interest, using field and archival records. Using similar techniques, we also plan to monitor invasive plant populations at key experimental plots (including the hemlock removal experiment at Simes Tract, and the "recovery phase" of the Chronic N addition plots). Together, these landscape-level studies will provide a novel historical context for understanding biological invasions in a historical context.

Allochthonous Nutrients in the Sarracenia Microecosystem at Harvard Forest 2005-2007

Linkages between detritus-based ("brown") food webs and producer-based ("green") food webs are critical components of ecosystem functionality, but these linkages are difficult to study because soil is opaque and brown food webs are poorly characterized. We used the well-defined detritus-based food web that forms in water-filled leaves of the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea to directly study how food web structure affects nitrogen (N) transformation and N-uptake by the plant itself. We used isotopically-enriched prey (detritus) and soluble inorganic N to test three predictions of the hypotheses that N uptake efficiency (UE) by S. purpurea is enhanced by the presence of a complete food web in its pitchers: (1) presence of top trophic levels increases UE of prey-derived, but not inorganic, N; (2) UE is contingent on availability of different forms of N; and (3) congeneric Sarracenia species that do not host food webs differ from S. purpurea in UE of prey-derived N. Surprisingly, none of these predictions were borne out in a 3-month greenhouse experiment. We conclude that the higher trophic-level members of this brown food web actively process detritus, but it is the activity of the microbial component of this web that ultimately influences N-availability in S. purpurea.

openCC (other)Dec 2022View details →

North Temperate Lakes LTER: Northern Wisconsin Lake Resident Survey 2005, 2008, 2012

The purpose of this survey was to understand what lake characteristics people value most, what activities they enjoy most, and what they expect for the future of northern Wisconsin lakes. Questions covered aspects such as the property search process individuals went through leading up to their purchase of lakeshore property in Vilas County WI, what activities the individual's household participate in on lakes in Vilas County WI, their attitude about the future of their lake, their perception of the current state of their lake, and lake qualities they would like improved on their lake. Demographics of the respondents and background information about their lake were also collected. Two types of surveying methodologies were used for this survey, one being an internet-based survey, while the other was a mail survey. Surveys were conducted in 2005 and repeated in 2008.

openCC (other)Oct 2025View details →

City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities, Marbled Murrelet Baseline Surveys 2005-2007, Cedar River Municipal Watershed, King County, WA

From 2005 to 2007, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) hired consultants to use ornithological radar and protocol audio-visual (AV) surveys to establish baseline information on the distribution and abundance of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed (CRMW), Washington. Across the three years, radar surveys were conducted on 100 mornings at 18 sites, and AV surveys on 92 mornings at 12 sites. The study recorded murrelet targets via radar in all years, with 65 detections in 2005, 89 in 2006, and 25 in 2007. Mean daily landward radar counts ranged between 0 and 4 per morning, and did not differ significantly across years. Although overall radar counts were low, high day-to-day variability was observed (coefficients of variation from 130% to 173%). Monte Carlo simulations showed that with repeated surveys using the same methods, the monitoring program could detect an annual increase of 2–3% in Marbled Murrelet abundance over approximately 25–50 years. AV surveys confirmed murrelet occupancy at two sites: the Rex River in 2005 and the South Fork Cedar River in 2006. No murrelets were detected by AV in 2007, though radar data suggested low-level murrelet presence at several additional sub-basins. The findings indicate that Marbled Murrelets occur at low densities in the CRMW, likely limited by both high inland distance and relatively sparse old-growth forest structure suitable for nesting. The four radar stations established and resampled during the study provide an opportunity for long-term monitoring, offering sufficient power to detect changes in murrelet activity as ongoing forest restoration efforts in the CRMW progress.

MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Long-term Population and Community Dynamics: Fishes, ongoing since 2005 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-mcr/6/58. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: These data describe the species abundance and size distributions of fishes surveyed as part of MCR LTER's annual reef fish monitoring program. This study began in 2005 and the dataset is updated annually. The abundances of all mobile taxa of fishes (Scarids, Labrids, Acanthurids, Serranids, etc.) observed on a five by fifty meter transect which extends from the bottom to the surface of the water column are recorded by a diver using SCUBA. The diver then swims back along a one by fifty meter section of the original transect line and records the abundances of all non-mobile or cryptic taxa of fishes (Pomacentids, Gobiids, Cirrhitids, Holocentrids etc). Surveys are conducted between 0900 and 1600 hours (Moorea time) during late July or early August each year. In 2006, divers also began to estimate the size (length) of each fish observed to the nearest half cm. Four replicate transects are surveyed in each of six locations on the forereef (two on each of Moorea's three sides), six locations on the backreef (two on each of Moorea's three sides) and on six locations on the fringing reef (two on each of Moorea's three sides) for a total of 72 individual transects. Transects are permanently marked using a series of small, stainless steel posts affixed to the reef. Transects on the forereef are located at a depth of approximately 12m, those on the backreef are located at a depth of approximately 1.5m and those on the fringing reef are located at a depth of approximately 10m. In addition to the biotic data collected, divers also record data on the date and time each transect was surveyed,

openCC (other)Jul 2021View details →

MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Long-term Population and Community Dynamics: Other Benthic Invertebrates, ongoing since 2005 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Long-term Population and Community Dynamics: Corals, ongoing since 2005 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-mcr/4/38. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: This dataset contains the percentage cover of the stony corals (Scleractinia) and other major groups analyzed from 0.5 x 0.5 m photographic quadrats in several reef habitats at the Moorea Coral Reef LTER, French Polynesia. This survey has been repeated annually in April since 2005. There are two tables available, providing different views of the same data: a long table having all values in one column and a wide table having a separate column for each dependent variable. Functional groups (i.e., dependent variables) counted are: Scleractinian Corals (by genus where appropriate, see methods), Macroalgae, Crustose Coralline Algae / Bare Space, Soft Corals, Hydrocorals (Millepora), Algal Turf and Sand. The coral community was sampled photographically in all habitats surrounding the island: Fringing Reef, Lagoon (Backreef), and Outer Reef (Forereef.) The sampling regime consists of a repeated-measures protocol in each habitat, and is structured by habitat to allow a statistical contrast of sites, shores, times, and in the case of the outer reef, depths. Detailed methods are available in the protocols section. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. OCE 16-37396 (and earlier awards) as well as a generous gift from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Research was completed under permits issued by the French Polynesian Government (Délégation à la Recherche) and the Haut-commissariat de la République en Polynésie Francaise (DTRT) (Protocole d'Accueil 2005-2020). This work represents a contribution of the Moorea Coral Reef (MCR)

MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Long-term Population and Community Dynamics: Benthic Algae and Other Community Components, ongoing since 2005 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-mcr/8/32. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: Coral reefs are comprised of scleractinian corals and many other benthic organims. The sampling described here quantifies the relative abundances of corals (aggregate abundance) and the other major benthic components including algal turfs, macroalgae, crustose corallines, and other sessile invertebrates. Abundance is estimated yearly at each of 6 sites (2 per shore) around the island. At each site, and in each of 4 habitats (fringing reef, backreef, forereef 10-m depth, forereef 17-m depth), 5 permanent 10-m long transects have been established and abundance estimates are made at fixed positions along each transect (n=10, 0.25 m2 quadrats per transect) allowing a repeated measures statistical analysis for the detection of temporal trends. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. OCE 16-37396 (and earlier awards) as well as a generous gift from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Research was completed under permits issued by the French Polynesian Government (Délégation à la Recherche) and the Haut-commissariat de la République en Polynésie Francaise (DTRT) (Protocole d'Accueil 2005-2020). This work represents a contribution of the Moorea Coral Reef (MCR) LTER Site.

MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Long-term Community Dynamics: Backreef (Lagoon) Corals Annual Survey, ongoing since 2005 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-mcr/1038/10. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: This dataset contains the percentage cover of all stony corals (Scleractinia, pooled among genera) and other major groups analyzed from 0.5 x 0.5 m photographic quadrats at the Backreef habitat at the Moorea Coral Reef LTER, French Polynesia. This survey time series began in 2005 and is repeated each year in April. Functional groups counted are: Scleractinian corals, Macroalgae, Crustose Coralline Algae / Bare Space, Soft Corals, Hydrocorals (Millepora), Algal Turf and Sand. The coral community was sampled photographically in all represented habitats surrounding the island: Fringing Reef, Lagoon, and Outer Reef. This dataset contains only Lagoon (Backreef) data (see knb-lter-mcr.4 for the other habitats) and is structured in a repeated-measures protocol to allow a statistical contrast of sites, shores and times. Community structure was determined through a coarse analysis of the benthic community, initially completed in situ (2005), but using photoquadrats from 2006. There are quadrats analyzed at each of five areas within each site, and the areas are revisited (but not the quadrats) each year to support the repeated measures design. There are two tables available, providing different views of the same data: a long table having all values in one column and a wide table having a separate column for each observed object. Detailed methods are available in the protocols section. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. OCE 16-37396 (and earlier awards) as well as a generous gift from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. R