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1,898 results for “grasslands”
Species diversity and plant dominance influence grassland stability in response to extreme climatic events and anthropogenic drivers across three LTER sites: Cedar Creek, Konza Prairie, and Kellogg Biological Station, 1982-2023.
The data in this package is associated with the analysis for a manuscript titled "Multiple community properties drive ecosystem resistance and resilience to extreme climate events across mesic grasslands". The files include compiled data on plant biomass production, species abundance, experimental treatments, extreme climate event values, and calculated diversity and stability measures from grassland plots in experiments at CDR, KBS, and KNZ LTER sites.
Spring and Fall plant cover across grassland-shrubland ecotones at 3 sites in the Jornada Basin, 2005-ongoing
The objective of this ongoing study is to investigate how pulses of precipitation translate into pulses of plant aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) across grassland to shrubland ecotones in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. This dataset consists of ocular plant cover and height measurements to be used for estimating aboveground net primary in three habitat vegetation zones (grassland, ecotone, and shrubland) at three grassland-to-shrubland ecotone sites in the Jornada Basin, Dona Ana County, New Mexico, USA. Sampling is conducted twice a year: in the spring before the growing season and in the fall after the growing season.
Annual Aboveground Net Primary Productivity by plant functional groups across grassland-shrubland ecotones at 3 sites in the Jornada Basin, 2006-ongoing
The objective of this ongoing study is to investigate how pulses of precipitation translate into pulses of plant aboveground net primary productivity (NPP) across grassland to shrubland ecotones in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. This dataset consists of annual aboveground net primary productivity estimates by plant functional groups in three habitat vegetation zones (grassland, ecotone, and shrubland) at three grassland-to-shrubland ecotone sites in the Jornada Basin, Dona Ana County, New Mexico, USA. The annual ANPP estimates are derived from plant cover measurements (see methods). Due to its growth form, Yucca elata (YUEL), in the leaf succulent functional group, has been found to produce large errors in interyear biomass estimates. This data package separates biomass estimates for YUEL and non-YUEL leaf succulents so that users can decide whether to combine them or keep them separate. In general, the authors recommend against using the YUEL estimates for most purposes. Data collection is ongoing with new observations in spring and fall of each year; data from both annual sampling times are required to estimate annual ANPP.
Total Annual Aboveground Net Primary Productivity across grassland-shrubland ecotones at 3 sites in the Jornada Basin, 2006-ongoing
The objective of this ongoing study is to investigate how pulses of precipitation translate into pulses of plant aboveground net primary productivity (NPP) across grassland to shrubland ecotones in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. This dataset consists of annual aboveground net primary productivity estimates in three habitat vegetation zones (grassland, ecotone, and shrubland) at three grassland-to-shrubland ecotone sites in the Jornada Basin, Dona Ana County, New Mexico, USA. The annual ANPP estimates are derived from plant cover measurements (see methods). Due to its growth form, Yucca elata (YUEL) has been found to produce large errors in interyear biomass estimates. This data package contains annual ANPP estimates both with and without YUEL, but the authors strongly recommend using the non-YUEL estimates for most purposes. Data collection is ongoing with new observations in spring and fall of each year; data from both annual sampling times are required to estimate annual ANPP.
Hierarchical herbivore exclosure vegetation canopy cover at 3 sites across grassland-shrubland ecotones, 2022
The goal of this dataset is to examine long-term effects of multiple herbivore groups on canopy cover of plants across a shrub encroachment gradient (i.e., Ecotone Study) using herbivore exclusion treatments. Plots (2x2-m) were controls (open to all herbivores), large herbivore exclusion (lagomorph, rodent access), or full exclusion (no herbivore access). Plots were established in 2001 across grassland-shrubland ecotones in patches of black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda with >75% cover). Biomass of B. eriopoda was physically removed from the center 40x40-cm2 patch of each treatment to simulate disturbance. We sampled the controls and herbivore exclosure plots in summer 2022 to evaluate the long-term influence of herbivore exclusion on B. eriopoda recovery and overall canopy cover.
Grass seedling survival and microhabitat vegetation cover among herbivore exclusion treatments across grassland-shrubland ecotones at 3 sites, 2022 and 2023
The aim of this study is to reveal how mammalian herbivores differentially affect the survival of grass seedlings depending on herbivore taxa (cattle, oryx, lagomorphs, rodents) and microhabitat vegetation structure surrounding grass seedlings. This dataset includes data tracking the survival of grass seedlings among herbivore exclusion treatments across grassland, ecotone, and shrubland habitats. Seedling survival trials were established at 3 spatial blocks associated with the Ecotone Study: JER Pastures 9 and 12, and CDRRC Pasture 3. Survival trials were conducted on Pasture 12 in 2022, and on Pastures 3, 9, and 12 in 2023. Each spatial block contained 3 sites (grassland, ecotone, shrubland) that were further subdivided into 5 replicate plots (n = 45 plots). Two trays (1 control open to all herbivores, 1 caged allowing only rodent access) of 25 seedlings each were buried at ground level at each plot and their condition (i.e., alive & undamaged, alive & herbivore damaged, senesced or absent via herbivory, senesced due to environmental stress, resprouted following herbivory, unknown fate, or herbivory following senescence) recorded every 3 days for a total of 15 days. Microhabitat vegetation cover surrounding the seedling trays was collected using ocular estimates of cover across plant functional types (e.g., perennial grasses, forbs, sub-shrubs, shrubs, etc.) within 1 square-meter PVC quadrats placed on both the east and west face of seedling trays established in the field. Maximum height of vegetative (non-reproductive) plant tissue of each functional type was additionally recorded to gauge the level of grass seedling concealment.
Precipitation-productivity relationships in desert grassland: a test of the double asymmetry hypothesis.
The purpose of this data package is to provide the derived data and R code for analyses presented in the manuscript by Collins et al. Knowing the relationship between precipitation (PPT) and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) is essential for understanding and modeling the global carbon cycle. Across grassland to forest gradients, the PPT-ANPP relationship is well-defined and non-linear. Temporal patterns within a site over time, however, are more variable than spatial patterns and nearly always linear. Linear relationships, however, are inconsistent with positive asymmetry occurring when the increase in ANPP in a wet year is greater than the decline in a dry year. The double asymmetry model predicts that concave down non-linearities will occur when extreme high and low PPT years are included in a time series. We used long-term ANPP data from ambient plots, plus rainfall addition and reduction experiments to test the predictions of the double asymmetry model. By combining experimental drought, plus water and nitrogen addition experiments we found some support for the double asymmetry model. However, the response was concave up not down under high precipitation coupled with nitrogen addition. By experimentally extending the range of monsoon precipitation we generated a significant although weak, non-linear PPT-ANPP relationship, but only when nutrient limitation was alleviated. Our results demonstrate that multiple interacting factors govern the PPT-ANPP relationship within a site over time.
Species cover, community biomass, and richness in global grasslands from NutNet (2007–2023): Dominant species predict plant richness and biomass in global grasslands
The Nutrient Network (NutNet) is a globally coordinated research initiative designed to investigate the impacts of human-driven alterations in nutrient availability and consumer presence on grassland ecosystems. Data were collected from over 130 herbaceous-dominated sites worldwide, spanning diverse environmental conditions from desert grasslands to arctic tundra. Standardized methodologies were employed across all sites to enable direct comparisons of productivity, diversity, and ecosystem responses. Experimental treatments included nutrient additions to assess co-limitation of plant growth by multiple nutrients, as well as grazer manipulations to examine their role in regulating biomass, species diversity, and community composition. By compiling these cross-site data, NutNet aims to enhance our understanding of productivity-diversity relationships and provide new insights into the ecological consequences of anthropogenic changes to nutrient cycles and food webs at a global scale.
Species richness of vascular plants and bryophytes in nine grassland sites (Europe and California collected in 2013-2016)
We sampled vascular plants (VP) and bryophytes (non-vascular plant; NVP) 1×1 m experimental plots in nine sites belonging to the Nutrient Network. Three sites were in California, two in Finland and UK and one in Germany and Switzerland. The data were collected to compare the responses of NVPs and VPs to nutrient addition and grazing exclusion treatments. The NVP and VP cover sampling was conducted in March-August 2016, except for heron.uk and rook.uk, which had been sampled for VPs in 2013. NVPs were mostly identified to species, but in absence of necessary diagnostic characters (capsules, other reproductive organs, distinctive gametophytic features), some specimens were identified at morphospecies group, subgenus, or genus level. We calculated three plant diversity indices for NVPs, VPs and total (NVPs and VPs combined) in each plot. First, species richness (S) is the number of species per 1 m2 for NVPs and VPs. For plots having no NVPs, NVP richness is zero. Second, for plots having at least one NVP, we calculated Inverse Simpson’s index of diversity (referred to as species diversity), which is equivalent to the Probability of Interspecific Encounter or Effective Number of Species (ENSPIE). Third, we calculated Simpson’s evenness (E = ENSPIE/S; referred to as evenness), which was expected to reflect changes in species’ dominance. We also sampled aboveground plant biomass at peak biomass of vascular plants (in May- August, depending on local site level characteristics) by clipping at ground level and removing all aboveground vegetation (live and dead) from two 0.1 × 1 m strips, sorting the current year’s VP and NVP biomass from the previous year’s biomass (dead litter), drying the biomass to a constant mass at 60 °C, and weighing it to the nearest 0.01 g. Except for two sites (heron.uk and rook.uk), we also measured photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at the ground surface and above grassland canopy at time of peak biomass and calculated the proportion of tra
Oak litter decomposition parameters across 19 Nutrient Network grassland sites in response to NPK and herbivore exclusion treatments
These data are from a study examining how herbivory and nutrient supply affect long-term aboveground decomposition. A novel oak litter was decomposed across 19 grassland sites of the Nutrient Network distributed experiment. At each site, a full-factorial experiment of combined nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium plus micronutrients ('control' or 'NPK') and mammalian herbivore exclusion ('fencing') was carried out in a randomized block design. The duration of the decomposition experiment varied by site but litter bags were harvested at approximately annual intervals for up to seven years. Litter decay parameters were calculated using four alternative statistical models of litter decomposition. Covariate data describing site and plot-level abiotic and biotic characteristics were also measured, including climate, atmospheric nitrogen deposition, live and dead aboveground biomass, and percent cover.
Semi-Arid Grassland Nitrogen Addition Experiment: New Mexico, 2018-2021
This dataset contains field and laboratory incubation measurements from a four-year nutrient addition experiment (2018–2021) conducted in three adjacent (<5 km apart) Chihuahuan Desert grasslands near Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA (32°10′31″N, 104°26′38″W). The three replicate grassland sites were dominated by different grass species: Bouteloua gracilis (“Native Grama” site), Muhlenbergia setifolia (“Native Muhly” site), and Eragrostis lehmanniana (“Invasive Lovegrass” site). The Native Grama and Invasive Lovegrass sites were located on recently deposited alluvial soils classified as Entisols (Ustic Torrifluvents), formed from gravelly alluvium derived from limestone. Soils at the Native Muhly site were classified as shallow Aridisols formed from colluvium and residuum weathered from limestone and dolomite. Plot soils at the Native Grama and Invasive Lovegrass sites were sandy loam, while soils at the Native Muhly site were loam. Pre-treatment soil chemistry (collected May 2018 at 0–5 cm depth) was relatively consistent across sites, with pH ranging from 7.6 to 7.8 and similar inorganic N concentrations. Experimental field plots at each site received annual additions of nitrogen (+2 or +4 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ as ammonium nitrate), carbon (+6 g m⁻² as sucrose), or no additions (ambient control). In 2020, a supplemental water treatment was applied only at the Native Grama site to simulate an additional 55 mm of rainfall during the monsoon season. Field data include measurements of soil chemistry (pH, inorganic nutrients, extractable organic C, total N), microbial biomass (C, N, P), extracellular enzyme activities, vegetation cover by functional group, species richness, Shannon diversity indices, and foliar chemistry (%C, %N, C:N ratios). Measurements were collected seasonally (pre-monsoon, monsoon, winter) or annually at peak biomass from 2018 through 2021. Laboratory incubations were conducted to complement field measurements. In 2019, a 30-day nitrogen t
Ground Arthropod Community Survey in Grassland, Shrubland, and Woodland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1992-2004) (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-sev/29/175390. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: This data set contains records for the numbers of selected groups of ground-dwelling arthropod species and individuals collected from pitfall traps at 4 sites on the Sevilleta NWR, including creotostebush shrubland, both black and blue grama grasslands, and a pinyon/juniper woodland. Data collections begin in May of 1989, and are represented by subsequent sample collections every 2 months. One site (Goat Draw/Cerro Montosa) was discontinued in 2001, and a new site (Blue Grama) was initiated . Only three sites, creosotebush, black grama, and blue grama were continued between 2001-2004.
Soil and root-associated fungal response to nitrogen and phosphorus addition from grasslands worldwide: 2011-2012.
Ecosystems across the globe receive elevated inputs of nutrients, but the consequences of this for soil fungal guilds that mediate key ecosystem functions remain unclear. We found that nitrogen and phosphorus addition to 25 grasslands distributed across four continents promoted the relative abundance of fungal pathogens, suppressed mutualists, but did not affect saprotrophs. Structural equation models suggested that responses were often indirect and primarily mediated by nutrient-induced shifts in plant communities. Nutrient addition also reduced co-occurrences within and among fungal guilds, which could have important consequences for belowground interactions. Focusing only on plots that received no nutrient addition, soil properties influenced pathogen abundance globally, whereas plant community characteristics influenced mutualists, and climate influenced saprotrophs. These guild-level responses enhance our ability to predict soil functional responses to anthropogenic eutrophication and the associated longer-term responses of plant communities to this important global change factor.
Heterotrophic Respiration from Nine Nutrient Network Grasslands in North America
This experiment tracks the response of soil heterotrophic respiration (i.e., soil organic matter decomposition), enzyme expression, and microbial biomass in nine US grasslands participating in the globally-distributed Nutrient Network. At Cedar Creek, as in over 70 other sites in grasslands around the world, the experiment aims to describe impacts of increased nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and other metals) and decreased herbivory (removal of mammals by fencing). Two overarching questions are being explored with these manipulations: 1. To what extent are plant production and diversity co-limited by multiple nutrients in herbaceous-dominated communities? 2. Under what conditions do grazers or fertilization control plant biomass, diversity, and composition? By utilizing identical protocols at diverse grassland sites around the world, NutNet aims to uncover both the generalities in ecosystem functioning, and the contingencies or differences which can obscure those common mechanisms. In addition to the standard NutNet protocol, e247 includes an additional low Nitrogen gradient (1 gram Nitrogen per meter squared per year and 5 grams Nitrogen per meter squared per year in addition to the standard 10 grams Nitrogen per meter squared per year). These samples in the present dataset were collected at the same time as soil and plant samples for https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/7f984c2ed9e63754577ee711e6d74a6e.
Rabbit survey data on creosotebush and grassland routes from the long-term Small Mammal Exclusion Study at Jornada Basin LTER, 1996-ongoing
This data package contains rabbit survey data from grassland and creosote shrubland habitats on Jornada Experimental Range (JER) and Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center (CDRRC) lands. Two survey routes were established along Jornada Basin roads in 1996; one in black grama grassland and the other in creosotebush shrubland. Quarterly surveys are conducted on these roads at or near the full moon to measure the density of rabbits in the two vegetation types. Each route is about 6 miles long. Parallel studies were established at the Sevilleta LTER site (New Mexico, USA) and Mapimi Biosphere Reserve (Durango, Mexico). Data collection began in April 1996 and includes date and time lagomorphs are spotted, species identification, habitat type, distance/direction from vehicle, and comments on the weather, moon, and anything unusual. This study is ongoing with new data collected quarterly.
Core Site Phenology Study from the Chihuahaun Desert Grassland and Shrubland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Plant phenology or life-history patterns change seasonally as plants grow, mature, flower, and produce fruit and seed. Plant phenology follows seasonal patterns, yet variation may occur due to annual differences in the timing of rainfall and ambient temperature shifts. Foliage growth, flower, fruit, and seed production are important aspects of plant population dynamics and food resource availability for animals. The purpose of this study is to assess phenological patterns of plants across a series of biotic communities that represent an environmental moisture gradient. These communities all in the Chihuahuan Desert include: creosote bush shrubland, black grama grassland, and blue grama grassland. Plant phenology is recorded for all plant species across 4 replicate 200 m transects at each of the 3 habitat sites. Plant phenology measurements are taken once every month from February through October. The first ten individuals (or ten representative individuals) of each plant species encountered along each transect are assessed for life-history status. Data from the site P and J were only collected in 2000 and 2001 and are included in this data set.
Below-Ground Net Primary Production (BNPP): Root Ingrowth Donuts in Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Creosote Shrubland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
In 2005, annually harvested root ingrowth donut structures were co-located with previously established mini-rhizotron tubes established at four sites on McKenzie Flats located on the east side of Sevilleta NWR: 10 replicate structures in both burned and unburned blue and black grama dominated grassland plots at Deep Well, 10 replicates each on nitrogen fertilization plots and respective control plots on McKenzie Flats(20 total), 10 replicates in creosote dominated shrubland at the Five Points Creosote Core site and in 2011, 13 structures were put in the Monsoon site. Roots and soil are harvested annually in late fall after the growing season, and structures are reestablished in situ for consecutive harvests each year. Each structure allows roots to be harvested at two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) to estimate root production, or below ground net primary productivity. In order to compare estimates of root production from two methods, root ingrowth donuts were collocated with mini-rhizotron tubes at all localities except for the burned grassland plot at Deep Well.
Effects of Fire Seasonality on Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2007-2020)
Desert grassland vegetation is a key resource upon which rangelands in the southwestern US are built, and managing these ecosystems remains a critical challenge today. This experimental fire seasonality research project, in collaboration with the USFWS, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, and the Sevilleta LTER, is intended to provide land management agencies with information about vegetation recovery following fire under different seasonal conditions and burning treatments. This experimental research will enable the FWS to more effectively set project objectives for prescribed burning on the Sevilleta NWR to benefit not only wildlife habitat, but to better align the timing and intensity of fire to benefit the reestablishment of the dominant native grama grasses Bouteloua eriopoda and B. gracilis. Since its creation in 1973, management has been devoted to restoring the Sevilleta NWR to the natural conditions that might have been seen around the turn of the century. The Sevilleta NWR is an ideal place for research because climatic conditions, plant species composition and net primary production following wildfire have been well documented by the Sevilleta LTER. Additional experimental research is needed, however, to better inform managers about the timing and use of fire as an ecosystem restoration and management tool. This is an on-going, long-term experiment under the auspices of the Sevilleta LTER program.
Extreme Drought in Grassland Ecosystems (EDGE) Net Primary Production Quadrat Data at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
EDGE is located at six grassland sites that encompass a range of ecosystems in the Central US - from desert grasslands to short-, mixed-, and tallgrass prairie. We envision EDGE as a research platform that will not only advance our understanding of patterns and mechanisms of ecosystem sensitivity to climate change, but also will benefit the broader scientific community. Identical infrastructure for manipulating growing season precipitation will be deployed at all sites. Within the relatively large treatment plots (36 m2), we will measure with comparable methods, a broad spectrum of ecological responses particularly related to the interaction between carbon fluxes (NPP, soil respiration) and species response traits, as well as environmental parameters that are critical for the integrated experiment-modeling framework, as well as for site-based analyses. By designing EDGE as a research platform open to the broader scientific community, with subplots in all replicates (n = 180 plots) set-aside for additional studies, and by making data available to the broader ecological community EDGE will have value beyond what we envision here.
Extreme Drought in Grassland Ecosystems (EDGE) Seasonal Biomass and Seasonal and Annual NPP Data at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Net primary production is a fundamental ecological variable that quantifies rates of carbon consumption and fixation. Estimates of NPP are important in understanding energy flow at a community level as well as spatial and temporal responses to a range of ecological processes. While measures of both below- and above-ground biomass are important in estimating total NPP, this study focuses on above-ground net primary production (ANPP). Above-ground net primary production is the change in plant biomass, including loss to death and decomposition, over a given period of time. Volumetric measurements are made using vegetation data from permanent plots collected in SEV297, "Extreme Drought in Grassland Ecosystems (EDGE) Net Primary Production Quadrat Data" and regressions correlating biomass and volume constructed using seasonal harvest weights from SEV157, "Net Primary Productivity (NPP) Weight Data."
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Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
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DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
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International Brain Laboratory public data
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OpenNeuro
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