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:

• Add rows to tables or lines to paraghaphs as you need them for entering your data.

• Contact emelendez@lternet.edu, if you have any question.

PERSON(S) COMPLETING THIS FORM: E-MAIL ADDRESS:

Dr. William McDowell	Bill.mcdowell@unh.edu
Eda C. Melendez-Colom	emelend@ites.upr.edu

DATA SET IDENTIFIER: Coarse Woody Debris in Bisley Experimental Forest and the Rio Icacos Basin

PROJECT TITLE: Soil Carbon and Nutrients in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) (Nitrogen Saturation Experiments in Bisley Experimental Forest and the Rio Icacos Basin )

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Nitrogen is being applied at a rate of 50 kg ha-1 y-1 to 20x20 m plots in the Bisley Experimental Watersheds and the Rio Icacos basin. This is a long term experiment designed to test current paradigms of N saturation in tropical forests. Coarse woody debris transect measurements are conducted once every two years in the study plots to monitor above ground organic matter pools of debris > 2.5 cm diameter. Forest floor litter composition is also quantified and classified as fruits, leaves, miscellaneous and wood (< 2.5 cm). We expect to see decreases in forest floor litter and coarse woody debris due to increased mineralization rates.

LTER CORE AREAS: (Annotate all that apply)

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

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: Bisley Experimental Forest (1) and Rio Icacos Basin (2)

INVESTIGATORS:

SOURCE OF FUNDING (SPONSOR): NSF - LEF LTER and University of New Hampshire

DATA SET ABSTRACT: Organic matter pools appear to differ in composition between Bisley and Icacos. On average (n=30), 79% of Bisley organic matter was composed of coarse woody debris. Of the remaining 21% organic matter pool, approximately 2% was from leaves, 9% was from fruit, 9% was from miscellaneous matter, and 1% was from wood matter with diameters < 2.5 cm. In comparison, 57% (n=30) of Icacos organic matter was composed of coarse woody debris. Of the remaining 43% organic matter pool, approximately 0% was from fruit, 16% was from leaves, 10% was from miscellaneous matter, and 18% was from wood matter with diameters < 2.5 cm. The data suggest a less recalcitrant organic matter pool in the Icacos environment and higher rates of turnover than in the Bisley environment. It was also apparent that woody matter (< 2.5 cm diameter) deposition was a significant source of OM inputs in the Icacos plots.

DATA SET METHODS: In each of the sites, we surveyed 6 plots using 5 - 20 m transects (n=30). Transects were spaced 4 m apart in each plot. At each intersect of the 1 cm wide measuring tape, organic matter debris > 2.5 cm diameter was recorded. Mass values from CWD were calculated using a mass density of .661 g cm3. Litter data was collected using a 0.16 m2 sampling square from five random locations in each of the plots (n=30). Litter was separated into categories of fruit, leaves, miscellaneous material and woody material < 2.5 cm diameter, then dried and weighed.

REFERENCES:

CROSS-REFERENCES (other data sets related to this one):

SAMPLE LOCATION: : 1. Sabana Field Research Station, Bo. Sabana, Luquillo, Puerto Rico. 2. International Institute of Tropical Forestry, Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

STORAGE SITES (of data files): LUQ LTER Data Manager's Cabinet DM333-00, Drawer # 4; Jordan Macy, Dr. William McDowell, UNH

INVESTIGATOR'S ASSIGNED KEYWORDS: Puerto Rico, Litter, Coarse Woody Debris, Organic Matter, Pools, Carbon, Nitrogen, Nutrients

LEF LTER OFFICIAL KEYWORDS (See table): BISLEY WATERSHEDS, Q ICACOS, OTHER PLOTS, CARBON, NITROGEN, DECOMPOSITION

PUBLICATIONS:

DISSEMINATION: UNRESTRICTED

REASONS TO RESTRICT DATA IN THIS DATA SET BEYOND ITS TWO YEAR POLICY PERIOD

*:*WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY LTER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: N. BROKAW, J. ZIMMERMAN, A. LUGO , W. MCDOWELL, W. SILVER

SITES DESCRIPTIONS:

Geographical positional system (GPS) Coordinates for each location:

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

COMPUTATIONAL METHODS:

FOR DATA MANAGER USE ONLY DATE OF LAST REVIEW:

DATE OF LAST ENTRY: September 11, 2008
STAGE OF DATA SET MANAGEMENT (dates):
RECEIVEDApril, 2003
ENTERED: May 23, 2003
FILED May 23, 2003
ON-LINE May 23, 2003
REVIEWED BY RESEARCHER
FILING MEDIA:
NAME OF DOCUMENTATION FILE: lterdb128.htm
NAME OF ON - LINE CATALOG: LTERDBAS
RECORD #: 128
DOCUMENT TYPE: magnetic media
PRIORITY TO BE ENTERED: N/A