LUQ LTER DATA SETS DOCUMENTATION FORM

ON-LINE VERSION

A DATA SET is a series of observations collected by the same methodology. Each data set should have documentation sufficient for someone unfamiliar with the research to replicate the study. Data sets may be broken into subsets (data files) that are discrete in space and time, in that order. The documentation for a data set should include all spatial and temporal subdivisions of the data.

(Data, Abstract, Methods, Variables)

NOTES:

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DATA SET IDENTIFIER: Altitudinal transects vegetation data along three rivers in the Luquillo Experimental Forest

PROJECT TITLE: Community Composition of Plants (along Altitudinal Transects in the Luquillo Experimental Forest)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The composition of plant communities changes with elevation in the Luquillo Experimental Forest. The goal of this project is to document the patterns of these changes, and in particular, to determine whether the distributions of individual species are independent of one another, or whether they are related, in either a congruent or a hierarchical manner. Twenty-four permanent vegetation plots, each 50m by 20m are being established in the LEQ, with eight plots each along three rivers, the Sonadora, Icacos, and Mamayes. The plots are being established at every 100m in elevation, starting at 200m above sea level. All woody, free-standing stems greater than 1cm dbh are being marked, identified and mapped into 5x5 subquadrats. We anticipate that gradient analysis will show whether the distributions of species are coincident or independent, enabling us to evaluate whether separate, genuine plant communities exist in the LEQ. Because the plots are permanent, we also expect that they will also us to better evaluate how different vegetation types, at different elevations, respond to large scale disturbances, especially hurricanes.

LTER CORE AREAS: Annotate all that apply (See online list)

LEF LTER 1 RESEARCH TOPIC: (Annotate all that apply) (See online list)

We define a data file as a component of a data set. A data set can have only one data file or more. Basically, different data files have different data structures or format .
DATA SET FILES (SUBSETS):

RESEARCH LOCATION: Plots are located at intervals of 50m in elevation along three rivers, Sonadora, Icacos and Mamayes spread out through the tabonuco, colorado and dwarf forests

INVESTIGATORS:

SOURCE OF FUNDING (SPONSOR): NSF LUQ LTER

DATA SET ABSTRACT: The composition of plant communities changes with elevation in the Luquillo Experimental Forest. The goal of this project is to document the patterns of these changes, and in particular, to determine whether the distributions of individual species are independent of one another, or whether they are related, in either a congruent or a hierarchical manner. Twenty-four permanent vegetation plots, each 50m by 20m are being established in the LEQ, with eight plots each along three rivers, the Sonadora, Icacos, and Mamayes. The plots are being established at every 100m in elevation, starting at 200m above sea level. All woody, free-standing stems greater than 1cm dbh are being marked, identified and mapped into 5x5 subquadrats. We anticipate that gradient analysis will show whether the distributions of species are coincident or independent, enabling us to evaluate whether separate, genuine plant communities exist in the LEQ. Because the plots are permanent, we also expect that they will also us to better evaluate how different vegetation types, at different elevations, respond to large scale disturbances, especially hurricanes.

DATA SET METHODS: Twenty-four 50m by 20m permanent plots were established in the Luquillo Experimental Forest. Thirty two plots were located by one of three rivers, the Sonadora, Icacos, and Mamayes. Plots were located at 50m intervals along the rivers. To locate a plot, the elevation of a site was determined using a GPS receiver while standing in the river, and the plot was established by moving into the forest from the river, and staking out a corner at that elevation, as soon as we were out of the immediate riparian zone. The long axis of each plot runs parallel to the contours of the slope. Using a field tape, each plot was divided into ten 10mx10m quadrats (in two rows of five), and then each quadrat was further subdivided into four 5mx5m subquadrats. Every free-standing woody stem greater than 1 cm dbh was marked, using a individually numbered metal tag tied to the plant using green horticulture tape. The diameter of the stem was measured at 130cm above the ground, and the stem was identified to species. The numbers for each plot were independent, starting over at 1. At the conclusion of each plot four corner posts were left in the ground, with a metal tag tied to its top, to help with re-location.

CROSS-REFERENCES (other data sets related to this one): The protocol for measuring stems is based in large measure on that followed by Jill Thompson et al. in the 16 ha permanent plot at El Verde. (LTERDBAS #60 : Tree Map for Census at the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP), Puerto Rico)

STORAGE SITES(of data files): ITES; El Verde Field Station

INVESTIGATOR'S ASSIGNED KEYWORDS: plant community composition, plant diversity, elevational gradients, altitude, Luquillo Experimental Forest, El Verde Field Station, Tabonuco Forest, Colorado Forest, Dwarf Forest

LEF LTER OFFICIAL KEYWORDS (See table): EL VERDE, MAMAMEYES, ICACOS, CLOUD FOREST, COLORADO, LOWER MONTANE RAIN, TABONUCO, PALM, COMMUNITY COMPOSITION, TREES, SHRUBS

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)	all	all
AbbreviationAbbreviation(as it appears on the data file)	number (tagnum)	species
NAME OF VARIABLE	Tag Number	Species Code
DEFINITION OF VARIABLE	A number on a metal tag on each separate woody stem	A six cap letters code (first three letters of the genus and first three letters of the species)
UNIT	N/A	N/A
PRECISION	N/A	N/A
RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES	Varies for each plot	See list*
DATA TYPE	number	alphabetic
MISSING DATA CODES	none	"DEAD", "?", "VINE", (3 letters + "SP "+ "?")

*Note: This list was prepared by the LUQ Data Manager getting the information of the scientific names, life form, etc. using other's data bases lists and the official El Verde Species List from Taylor