Find research datasets worth reusing

openCC (other)Aug 2025View details →

Overnight Shark River Surveys from Shark River Slough, Everglades National Park (FCE), South Florida from October 2001 to March 2002

Estuarine mixing interfaces have been a focus of wetland ecologists for the last three decades and are of growing concern today. Particularly critical in Everglades restoration, water quality and the dynamics of nutrients and dissolved materials across seasons in the natural system are being defined. We measured diurnal and seasonal (wet and dry) variation in microbial, dissolved and total nutrients and total organic carbon along a riverine transect and for a diurnal cycle in October of 2001 and March of 2002. For the diurnal sampling we anchored a houseboat mid Shark River 100m up river of the mesohaline Florida Coastal Everglades Shark River LTER site and sampled the water for chemical, microbial, and physical parameters. At slack high and low tides we sampled 10 miles offshore then at three sites up the Shark River. TOC (mM) and salinity (ppt) were highly correlated (r2 .97) along the river transect across seasons and TOC derived from terrestrial input. Bacterial production ranged from 1.88 to 10.99 mg C l-1 d-1 and was greatest in the dry season and at the most freshwater sampling points. Combined examination of our 49 sampled parameters both from the diurnal sampling and river transect sampling showed that our position for sampling in the river was critical and that the mid river-estuarine productivity maxima occurred within Shark River in both the wet and dry season. These data suggest this oligotrophic estuarine-river system is highly sensitive to watershed and river fringe nutrient inputs and remineralization vectors within the river.

Water Quality Data (Grab Samples) from the Taylor Slough, just outside Everglades National Park (FCE), for August 1998 to November 2006

Water quality samples are being collected using ISCO autosamplers at all wetland sites (that is, all sites except TS/Ph-9, 10, and 11). The autosamplers contain 24 1L bottles. Water is sampled by programming the autosamplers to take composite samples once every 3 days. These samples are a composite of four 250mL subsamples drawn every 18 hours (a sampling scheme that captures a dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight sample in every three day composite). The samples are collected every 3-4 weeks and analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and salinity. When sites are visited to collect these samples, we also collect a grab sample that is immediately put on ice. A portion of these grab samples is filtered through a Whatman GF/F filter immediately upon return to the lab, and the filtered samples are analyzed for inorganic nutrients such as NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, SRP, and DOC. The unfiltered fraction of these grab samples is analyzed for TP, TN, and TOC. We use these montly grab samples to generate relationships between TP and SRP, and between TN and NO2- + NO3- + NH4+. Dissolved nutrients are measured using standard rapid flow analyzer (RFA) techniques. TP is analyzed with a modified Solorzano and Sharp (1980) technique. TN is measured with an Antec TN analyzer, TOC and DOC are quantified on a Shimadzu TOC Analyzer, and salinity is measured with a YSI conductivity meter. In addition to the regular water quality monitoring, we use the rain level actuators at all freshwater sites to trigger water sampling after rain events exceed a given threshold of duration and/or intensity. As currently programmed, when the threshold of = 2.5 cm of rain per hour is passed, the autosampler at that site collects a 1L sample every 15 minutes after the threshold has been reached and remains (previous to 2003- the autosampler was programmed to collect 500mL of water every 30 minutes while the threshold was being met). Rain event samples are collected, retrieved, and analyzed like out c

Soil Physical Data from the Shark River Slough, Everglades National Park (FCE), from November 2000 to January 2007

Soil pH, Eh and temperature readings are taken at SRS1b, SRS1c, SRS1d, SRS2 and SRS3. These measurements are taken only when the marsh is wet. Measurements are taken using an Orion model 250A meter, and the probes attached to the meter are the Orion Thermo pH probe and the Orion Eh probe. All readings are recorded in field notebooks, and then transferred into Microsoft Excel. The Eh reading is taken when the Eh probe is attached to the meter and the word "Ready" appears on the meter screen. The pH and temperature reading are taken when the pH probe is attached to the meter and the word "Ready" appears on the meter screen.

Soil Physical Data from the Taylor Slough, just outside Everglades National Park (FCE), from October 1998 to October 2006

Soil pH, Eh and temperature readings are taken at TS/Ph4 and TS/Ph5. These measurements are taken only when the marsh is wet. Measurements are taken using an Orion model 250A meter, and the probes attached to the meter are the Orion Thermo pH probe and the Orion Eh probe. All readings are recorded in field notebooks, and then transferred into Microsoft Excel. The Eh reading is taken when the Eh probe is attached to the meter and the word "Ready" appears on the meter screen. The pH and temperature reading are taken when the pH probe is attached to the meter and the word "Ready" appears on the meter screen.

Soil Physical Data from the Taylor Slough, within Everglades National Park (FCE), from September 1999 to November 2006

Soil pH, Eh and temperature readings are taken at TS/Ph1b,TS/Ph2,TS/Ph3 and TS/Ph6b. These measurements are taken only when the marsh is wet. Measurements are taken using an Orion model 250A meter, and the probes attached to the meter are the Orion Thermo pH probe and the Orion Eh probe. All readings are recorded in field notebooks, and then transferred into Microsoft Excel. The Eh reading is taken when the Eh probe is attached to the meter and the word "Ready" appears on the meter screen. The pH and temperature reading are taken when the pH probe is attached to the meter and the word "Ready" appears on the meter screen.

Soil Characteristic and Nutrient Data from the Taylor Slough, within Everglades National Park (FCE), from March 2002 to April 2004

Three random soil cores are collected once a year from TS/Ph 1b, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6b. The collection of these soil cores is in the dry season (Dec.-May). The top 10cm of soil is collected using a soil core. The soil is then analyzed to obtain its bulk density, organic matter content, TC, TN, and TP.

Soil Characteristics and Nutrient Data from the Shark River Slough, within Everglades National Park (FCE), from March 2003 to March 2004

Three random soil cores are collected once a year from SRS1b, SRS2, and SRS3. The collection of these soil cores is in the dry season (Dec.-May). The top 10cm of soil is collected using a soil core. The soil is then analyzed to obtain its bulk density, organic matter content, TC, TN, and TP.

Florida Bay Braun Blanquet, Everglades National Park (FCE), South Florida from October 2000 to Present (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-fce/1129/8. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: Braun Blanquet surveys determining frequency, abundance, and density for seagrass and macroalgae made during visits to TS/Ph 7a, 8-11. Our long term research program focuses on the following central objective: Regional processes mediated by water flow control population and ecosystem level dynamics at any location within the coastal Everglades landscape. This phenomenon is best exemplified in the dynamics of an estuarine oligohaline zone where fresh water draining phosphorus-limited Everglades marshes mixes with water from the more nitrogen-limited coastal ocean. Graphic representation of data can be located at http://serc.fiu.edu/seagrass/!CDreport/DataHome.htm We are investigating how variability in regional climate, freshwater inputs, disturbance, and perturbations affect the coastal Everglades ecosystem. Our long term research program focuses on testing the following central idea and hypotheses: Regional processes mediated by water flow control population and ecosystem level dynamics at any location within the coastal Everglades landscape. This phenomenon is best exemplified in the dynamics of an estuarine oligohaline zone where fresh water draining phosphorus-limited Everglades marshes mixes with water from the more nitrogen-limited coastal ocean. Hypothesis 1: In nutrient-poor coastal systems, long-term changes in the quantity or quality of organic matter inputs will exert strong and direct controls on estuarine productivity, because inorganic nutrients are at such low levels. Hypothesis 2: Interannual and long-term changes in freshwater flow controls the magnitude of nut

Cross Bank Benthic Aboveground Biomass, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), South Florida from 1983 to 2014 (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-fce/1203/2. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: Aboveground biomass surveys of benthos on cross bank, a site of experimental fetilization via bird defecation since 1983. Dataset includes species specific biomass at five sites, each with both control and experimental treatments We are investigating how variability in regional climate, freshwater inputs, disturbance, and perturbations affect the coastal Everglades ecosystem. Our long term research program focuses on testing the following central idea and hypotheses: Regional processes mediated by water flow control population and ecosystem level dynamics at any location within the coastal Everglades landscape. This phenomenon is best exemplified in the dynamics of an estuarine oligohaline zone where fresh water draining phosphorus-limited Everglades marshes mixes with water from the more nitrogen-limited coastal ocean. Hypothesis 1: In nutrient-poor coastal systems, long-term changes in the quantity or quality of organic matter inputs will exert strong and direct controls on estuarine productivity, because inorganic nutrients are at such low levels. Hypothesis 2: Interannual and long-term changes in freshwater flow controls the magnitude of nutrients and organic matter inputs to the estuarine zone, while ecological processes in the freshwater marsh and coastal ocean control the quality and characteristics of those inputs. Hypothesis 3: Long-term changes in freshwater flow (primarily manifest through management and Everglades restoration) will interact with long-term changes in the climatic and disturbance (sea level rise, hurricanes, fires) regimes to modify ecological pattern

openCC (other)Mar 2025View details →

Seasonal Electrofishing Data from Rookery Branch and Tarpon Bay, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), Florida, USA, November 2004 - ongoing

This study examines temporal and spatial dynamics in the fish community of the oligohaline to mesohaline reaches of ecotonal creeks along the southwest region of Everglades National Park. Collections of fish in SW ENP during 2004 - 2014 across Rookery Branch and Tarpon Bay. Sampling started in the wet season of 2004, and has been conducted three times per year at these approximate times: November (wet season); February (transition); and April (dry season). Electrofishing samples were processed in the field, and all species (except for non-natives) were returned live at the point of collection. In the Rookery Branch region, fish abundance varies markedly yearly and seasonally. Catches peak in the drier months, reflecting a pulse of movement by freshwater taxa into creeks as marshes upstream dry. The timing of this pulse is closely tied to the pattern of water recession in upstream marshes, and has important ramifications for wading bird prey availability.

openCC (other)Oct 2025View details →

Movements of aquatic predators within the Shark River estuary (FCE LTER), Everglades National Park, South Florida, USA, June 2007 - ongoing

In South Florida, the allocation of freshwater resources is a constant source of debate. Stakeholders competing for freshwater include agriculture, rapidly growing urban populations, and the natural environment with its associated ecosystem services. Among these services, one of the most valuable is the provisioning of coastal recreational fisheries, which generates roughly $8 billion annually in angler expenditures in Florida alone. Yet, the interplay between freshwater allocation and the sustainability of these coastal fisheries remains poorly understood. One pathway of influence is through the availability of resources and food. Seasonal rainfall and freshwater management drive pulses of freshwater marsh prey into estuaries, creating short-lived but abundant foraging opportunities. Previous research has shown that these prey pulses occur primarily in the inland reaches of the estuary, providing resources for recreationally and ecologically important consumers such as the Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis), Florida Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas), and American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). However, it is unclear how far these species move to exploit this subsidy, or whether such pulses increase reproductive output and long-term population stability. Further, sea level rise is changing how economically and ecologically important taxa use estuarine environments. To address these questions, we use acoustic telemetry to track the multi-year (2007–present) movements of key estuarine taxa, including Common Snook, Florida Largemouth Bass, American Alligator, and Bull Shark, within the Shark River Estuary of Everglades National Park. This multi-species approach expands our focus from freshwater and estuarine predators to include apex predators that link freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. From a science perspective, our research provides

Monthly fluorescence parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) components for Shark River Slough, Taylor Slough, and Florida Bay, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), Florida, USA, April 2011 - ongoing

Dissolved organic matter plays an important role in biogeochemical processes in aquatic environments such as elemental cycling, microbial loop energetics, and the transport of materials across landscapes. Since most of N (> 90%) and P (around 90%) is in the organic form in the oligotrophic subtropical Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE), study of the source and dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the ecosystem is crucial for the better understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. FCE are composed of estuaries with distinct regions with different biogeochemical processes. Freshwater marsh primarily receives terrestrial input and local autochthonous vegetation production. Mangrove ecotone, nevertheless, is affected by the tidal contributions from Florida Bay and local mangrove production. Florida Bay (FB) is a wedge-shaped shallow oligotrophic estuary which lays south of the Everglades, the bottom of which is covered with a dense biomass of seagrass. The sources of both freshwater and nutrients in FCE are difficult to quantify, owing to the non-point source nature of runoff from the Everglades and the dendritic cross channels in the mangroves. Furthermore, the combination of multiple DOM sources (freshwater marsh vegetation, mangroves, phytoplankton, seagrass, etc.), and the potential seasonal variability of their relative contribution, along with the history of (photo)chemical and microbial diagenetic processing, and complex advective circulation, makes the study of DOM dynamics in FCE particularly difficult using standard schemes of estuarine ecology. Quantitative information of DOM is very useful to investigate the biogeochemical cycling of DOM to a certain degree, however, qualitative information is necessary to better understand the source and dynamics of DOM. Since fluorescence spectroscopic techniques are very sensitive, quick and simple, they have been applied to investigate the fate of DOM in estuaries. Here, we have quantified a series of

Florida Bay Braun Blanquet, Everglades National Park (FCE), South Florida from October 2000 to Present (Reformatted to a Darwin Core Archive)

This data package is formatted as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A, event core). For more information on Darwin Core see https://www.tdwg.org/standards/dwc/. This Level 2 data package was derived from the Level 1 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/edi/345/2, which was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-fce/1129/8. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: Braun Blanquet surveys determining frequency, abundance, and density for seagrass and macroalgae made during visits to TS/Ph 7a, 8-11. Our long term research program focuses on the following central objective: Regional processes mediated by water flow control population and ecosystem level dynamics at any location within the coastal Everglades landscape. This phenomenon is best exemplified in the dynamics of an estuarine oligohaline zone where fresh water draining phosphorus-limited Everglades marshes mixes with water from the more nitrogen-limited coastal ocean. Graphic representation of data can be located at http://serc.fiu.edu/seagrass/!CDreport/DataHome.htm We are investigating how variability in regional climate, freshwater inputs, disturbance, and perturbations affect the coastal Everglades ecosystem. Our long term research program focuses on testing the following central idea and hypotheses: Regional processes mediated by water flow control population and ecosystem level dynamics at any location within the coastal Everglades landscape. This phenomenon is best exemplified in the dynamics of an estuarine oligohaline zone where fresh water draining phosphorus-limited Everglades marshes mixes with water from the more nitrogen-limited coastal ocean. Hypothesis 1: In nutrient-poor coastal systems, long-term changes in the quantity or quality of organic matter inputs will exert strong and direct controls on estuarine productivity, because inorganic nutrients are

Cross Bank Benthic Aboveground Biomass, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), South Florida from 1983 to 2014 (Reformatted to a Darwin Core Archive)

This data package is formatted as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A, event core). For more information on Darwin Core see https://www.tdwg.org/standards/dwc/. This Level 2 data package was derived from the Level 1 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/edi/346/2, which was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-fce/1203/2. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: Aboveground biomass surveys of benthos on cross bank, a site of experimental fetilization via bird defecation since 1983. Dataset includes species specific biomass at five sites, each with both control and experimental treatments We are investigating how variability in regional climate, freshwater inputs, disturbance, and perturbations affect the coastal Everglades ecosystem. Our long term research program focuses on testing the following central idea and hypotheses: Regional processes mediated by water flow control population and ecosystem level dynamics at any location within the coastal Everglades landscape. This phenomenon is best exemplified in the dynamics of an estuarine oligohaline zone where fresh water draining phosphorus-limited Everglades marshes mixes with water from the more nitrogen-limited coastal ocean. Hypothesis 1: In nutrient-poor coastal systems, long-term changes in the quantity or quality of organic matter inputs will exert strong and direct controls on estuarine productivity, because inorganic nutrients are at such low levels. Hypothesis 2: Interannual and long-term changes in freshwater flow controls the magnitude of nutrients and organic matter inputs to the estuarine zone, while ecological processes in the freshwater marsh and coastal ocean control the quality and characteristics of those inputs. Hypothesis 3: Long-term changes in freshwater flow (primarily manifest through management and Everglades restoration) will interact with long-t

openCC (other)Nov 2025View details →

Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data collected in South Florida Coastal Waters (FCE LTER), Florida, USA, June 1989-ongoing

The Southeast Environmental Research Center at Florida International University operates a network of 331 fixed sampling sites distributed throughout the estuarine and coastal ecosystems of south Florida. The purpose of this network is to address concerns in regional water quality which cross and overlap separate political boundaries. Funding has come from different sources with individual programs being added as funding became available. Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, Whitewater Bay, Ten Thousand Islands, Rookery Bay, Estero Bay, and Pine Island Sound are sampled monthly while the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and the southwest shelf are sampled quarterly. Variables currently being measured include surface and bottom temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total nitrogen, total organic nitrogen, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, total organic carbon, total silicate, chlorophyll a, alkaline phosphatase activity, turbidity, and light extinction. The purpose of this network is to address concerns in regional water quality which cross and overlap separate political boundaries. One of the products is a quasi-synoptic big picture of nutrient and phytoplankton biomass distributions over the South Florida Coastal Waters. The SERC network will, in time, provide us with the data necessary to determine whether conditions within the estuaries and sanctuary are improving or declining.

Microbial Sampling from Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, South Florida, USA (FCE LTER), January 2001 - December 2023

We collected monthly observations of water microbial characteristics from each of the FCE LTER sites beginning in February 2001. Bacteria counts using DAPI epifluorescence, heterotrophic bacteria production with tritiated Thymidine uptake, and algal energetics and chl a using the PAM fluorometer were determined from each of the water samples. Bacteria counts in Shark River Slough in the freshwater end of the transect revealed highest bacteria numbers upon marsh rewetting after the dry down. The highest overall count of bacteria was found at the most freshwater point adjacent to the perimeter of the water conservation area but only in March of 2001. Peak numbers of bacteria in the saline end of Shark River transect occurred in December and July. There is some evidence that these higher bacteria numbers in the SR transect are associated with higher salinities. Highest bacteria counts along the Taylor slough transect were observed at the mouth of the Taylor River with peak counts in the wet season in October. Bacteria densities also increased from the eastern to western end of the transect in Florida Bay. Heterotrophic bacterial production did not relate closely bacteria numbers and exhibited highest numbers in the dry season. There was no discernible relationship between salinity and bacteria production as seen in bacteria numbers. Monthly observations using PAM fluorometry revealed that brown algae was the greatest contribution to the algal chal a pool and this relationship was consistent across all FCE LTER sites. Converse to the pattern of bacteria abundance along the Shark River transect, there was evidence that algal biomass decreases from freshwater to estuary. In the Shark River, algal energetics increased from marsh to estuary as well as in the panhandle region of the Taylor River transect. From these observations we conclude the behavior of the microbial loop and interactions generated between functional guilds is highly variable along individual transects an

openCustomJan 2026View details →

Large consumer isotope values, Shark River Slough, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), Florida, USA, May 2005 - ongoing

This dataset provides information on the stable isotope values from multiple tissues from various consumers (especially bull sharks and American alligators) sampled within the Shark River Slough.

openCC (other)May 2022View details →

Pond Cypress C-111 Basin, Everglades (FCE), South Florida Dendroisotope Data from 1970 to 2000

δ13C values were determined from cypress tree rings from two different study areas in South Florida. One site is located in the Southeastern Everglades Marsh, where pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) was sampled from tree islands (annual tree rings from 1970 to 2000). Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) trees were sampled at the other site, located along the Loxahatchee River in a coastal wetland (decadal tree rings from 1830 to 1990). The isotopic time series from both sites display different, location-specific information. The pond cypress isotopic time series has a positive correlation with the total amount of annual precipitation, while the bald cypress data from the Loxahatchee River study area had two different records dependent on the level of saltwater stress. In general, for terrestrial trees growing in a temperate environment, water stress causes an increase in water-use efficiency (WUE) resulting in a relative 13C enrichment. Yet, trees growing in wetland settings in some cases do not respond in the same manner. We propose a conceptual model based on changes in carbon assimilation and isotopic fractionation as controlled by differences in stomatal resistance (water stress) and mesophyll resistance (biochemical and nutrient related) to explain the isotopic records from both sites. With further work and a longer time series, our approach may be tested, and used to reconstruct change in hydroperiods further back in time, and potentially provide a baseline for wetland restoration.

openCC (other)May 2022View details →

Consumer Stocks: Fish, Vegetation, and other Non-physical Data from Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), South Florida, USA from February 2000 to April 2005

We hypothesize that standing crops of consumers reflect patterns of allochthonous nutrient transport along the estuarine interface at the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) LTER. Our goal is to investigate how variation in hydrology, water quality, and disturbance influence secondary production. This data set represents the numeric count data of fish, plants, and other fauna.