lterdb146-CTE Fern surveys

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:

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

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

See online Guidelines (http://luq.lternet.edu/datamng/imdocs/division.html) to help you fill this form

Get the description online of any of the highlighted item by locating your cursor on top of the item, holding the [Ctrl] key while left-clicking your mouse.

PERSON(S) COMPLETING THIS FORM:

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

Joanne M. Sharpe

Joannesharpe@email.com

Eda C. Meléndez-Colom

emelendez@lternet.edu

DATA SET IDENTIFIER: Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE) Fern surveys

PROJECT TITLE: Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This long-term experiment will increase the frequency of simulated hurricane effects above background levels to once every six years. The experiment will determine effects of repeated disturbance of the forest canopy and increased detrital inputs to the forest floor on germination, growth, survival, nutrient cycling, soil conditions, and trophic structure. Climate change models predict increased frequency and intensity of Caribbean hurricanes (Emmanuel 1987, Goldenberg et al. 2001), and our goal is to ealuate predictions regarding the effects of an increased rate of hurricane disturbance on tabonuco forest (Sanford et al. 1991). The experiment also is designed to decouple the effects of canopy disturbance (e.g. , light levels, temperature, moisture, etc. ) from those of increased detrital inputs on rates of detrital processing and resultant community and ecosystem processes. Manipulations and measurements of detrital processing, SOM, and soil properties associated with SOM will continue for at least three more funding periods (until 2024). In the short-term, we will use faunal manipulations nested within the canopy trimming experiment to measure the strength of interactions between autotrophic and detrital food webs in the context of hurricane-like disturbance. These results will be directed specifically at parameterizing the Trophic Interaction Model. This experiment also will provide a physical and intellectual focal point for the project participants.
The Canopy Trimming Experiment has two parts: 1) a forest canopy manipulation with measurements of coupled changes in microclimate, structure, and biota and their associated impacts on ecosystem processes, and 2) specific manipulations of the biota that assess the importance of components of the food web.

CTE Ferns: The species composition (diversity) and abundance of all of the ferns in all subplots of the CTE plots were assessed annually beginning in January, 2003 by the researcher. Ferns in all plant measurement subplots are also monitored and measured (by staff) at regular intervals and the experiment proceeds to detect changes in growth, diversity and abundance.

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

Population Dynamics

Disturbance Patterns

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

Spatial and temporal distribution of populations

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):

Data File No.

Data File Identifier

On-Line Filename

Starting Date

Periodicity of sample

End Period

1

CTE Ferns measurements

cteferns.txt

January 13, 2003

Annual

January 15, 2008 *

*Note: Projected ending Date: January 30, 2015

RESEARCH LOCATION:

Block A: 30+ m West of western edge of Big Grid, on North and South side of Prieta stream, near Vogt old plots. Block B: 30+ m South of Big Grid, all plots along Oxcart Trail. Block C: 30+ m West of SE corner of Big Grid.

INVESTIGATORS:

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

E-MAIL ADDRESS

Joanne M. Sharpe

Joannesharpe@email.com

OTHER RESEARCHERS

E-MAIL ADDRESS

CONTACT PERSONS

Phone Number (Include area code)

E-MAIL ADDRESS

Joanne M. Sharpe

(207) 882-5989

Joannesharpe@email.com

SOURCE OF FUNDING (SPONSOR):

NSF LTER

DATA SET ABSTRACT:

Changes in fern diversity and abundance were monitored prior to and during the Canopy Trimming Experiment (CTE). The abundance of all terrestrial fern species on the CTE plots is recorded for each subplot at annual intervals in January. The fern abundance and diversity changes in response to the block locations, treatments and other experiments conducted on subplots will be evaluated as the experiment proceeds. All surveys are done by Joanne Sharpe alone unless otherwise noted in the Comments. Only Block B was surveyed in January 2005 as other blocks had only partially been manipulated. Note that Variable abbreviations for fields common to all CTE data are in CAPS.

DATA SET METHODS:

Each fern individual is identified and counted in each subplot from the between-subplot walkways.

REFERENCES: N/A

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

SAMPLE LOCATION: N/A

STORAGE SITES(of data files):

The original field data set is stored in the offices of Joanne M. Sharpe; ITES

INVESTIGATOR'S ASSIGNED KEYWORDS:

ferns, diversity, disturbance, productivity

LEF LTER OFFICIAL KEYWORDS (See table):

EL VERDE, CTE blocks, TABONUCO, DISTURBANCE, FERNS, PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL

PUBLICATIONS:

DISSEMINATION:

RESTRICTED UNRESTRICTED _X__

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

*WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY AT LEAST ONE LUQ LTER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: N. Brokaw, A. LUGO

FILING:
___ "File" copy only:Data Management will only file an electronic copy of the data file and its documentation
_X__ " Enter" data on-line:Data Management will be in charge of entering the data on computer files (Contact Eda C. Meléndez)

SITES DESCRIPTIONS:

Block A: Elevation (340-360); aspect SW-facing; Location 30+ m West of western edge of Big Grid, on North and South side of Prieta stream, near Vogt old plots. Block B: Elevation (450-485); aspect W-SW facing; Location 30+ m South of Big Grid, all plots along Oxcart Trail. Block C: Elevation (435-480 m); aspect West-facing; Location 30+ m West of SE corner of Big Grid.

Geographical positional system (GPS) Coordinates for each location:

location

latitude

longitude

The following table displays the x and y coordinates in Puerto Rico Planar Coordinates:

BlockPlot

X

Y

A1

217379

54625

A2

217437

54631

A3

217423

54720

A4

217460

54684

B1

217824

54356

B2

217875

54344

B3

217913

54278

B4

217970

54217

C1

217878

54476

C2

217933

54476

C3

217998

54480

C4

218094

54544

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)

1

1

1

1

1

Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)

BLOCK

PLOT

SUBPLOT

TRIM

DETRITUS

NAME OF VARIABLE

Block identifier

Plot Identifier

Subplot Identifier

Trim plot identifier

Detritus applied to plot identifier

DEFINITION OF VARIABLE

Name given to a grouping of 4-like plots in one of three locations. No missing data.

Name given to a 20m X 20m plot of a Block. No missing data.

Name given to a 4.7m X 4.7m of a plot within a block. No missing data.

Identifies plots which have had canopy trimming treatments applied. A value must be present in all records under this column.

Identifies plots which have experimental detritus on them. A value must be present in all records under this column.

UNIT

PRECISION

RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES

A = West of western edge of Big Grid plot,
B = South of Big Grid,
C = West of SE

1,..., 4

1,..., 16

1 = trimmed, 0 = not trimmed

1 = present, 0 = not present

DATA TYPE

alphabetic

integer

integer

numeric

numeric

MISSING DATA CODES

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)

1

1

1

1

Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)

TRT

DATE

DAY

MONTH

NAME OF VARIABLE

Treatment descriptors

Survey date

Survey day

Survey month

DEFINITION OF VARIABLE

Code for the total treatment (trimming and detritus) applied to plot. A value must be present in all records under this column.

Date of survey (in dd-mmm-yy). A value must be present in all records under this column.

Day of the month that the survey was conducted. A value must be present in all records under this column.

Month in which the survey was conducted. A value must be present in all records under this column.

UNIT

PRECISION

RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES

CONTROL = no canopy trim and no detritus deposited, REMOVE = canopy trimmed and cut detritus removed from plot ADDITION = no canopy trim and detritus from the remove plot deposited on plot substrate

DROP = canopy trimmed and detritus deposited on the plot substrate.

13-Jan-2003 (etc.)

1-31

1-12

DATA TYPE

alphabetic

alphanumeric

integer

integer

MISSING DATA CODES

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)

1

1

1

1

1

1

Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)

YR

EXDATE

TrtSeq

ExpN

ExpP

ExpS

NAME OF VARIABLE

Survey year

Excel Date

Treatment descriptors

No Experiment

Plant experiments

Soil Experiments

DEFINITION OF VARIABLE

Year in which the survey was conducted. A value must be present in all records under this column.

Serial date, converted from DATE by assigning a format of Number/General in spreadsheet. A value must be present in all records under this column.

Code (abbreviated) for total treatment (trimming and detritus) that starts with a number thereby sequencing them logically for analysis. A value must be present in all records under this column.

Identifies subplots that are non-experimental and do not have experiments (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.

Identifies subplots that have Plant experiments (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.

Identifies subplots that have Soil experiments on subplot (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.

UNIT

PRECISION

RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES

2003-2015

1REM = canopy trimmed and cut detritus removed from plot

2DROP = canopy trimmed and detritus deposited on the plot substrate 3ADD = no canopy trim and detritus from the remove plot deposited on plot substrate 4CON = no canopy trim and no detritus deposited

0 = experimental plot, 1 = non-experimental plot

0 = No plant experiment, 1 = Yes plant experiment

0 = No soil experiment, 1 = Yes soil experiment

DATA TYPE

integer

numeric

alphanumeric

numeric

numeric

numeric

MISSING DATA CODES

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)

1

1

1

1

1

1

Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)

ExpFL

ExpW
ExpType

ExpTypeSub

ExpDec

ExpDecType

NAME OF VARIABLE

Fungi and leaf litter decomposition experiments

Wood decomposition experiments

Type of experiment on subplot

Code for multiple subplots with same kind of experiment within a plot.

Code for subplots with decomposition experiments

Types of decomposition experiment

DEFINITION OF VARIABLE

Identifies subplots that have Fungi and Leaf litter decomposition experiments on subplot (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.

Identifies subplots that have Wood decomposition experiments on subplot (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.

Identifies selected types of experiments in the subplot. Blank unless non-experimental subplot or soil or plant experiments are done in the subplot.

Designated code for the five specific experimental subplots within a plot for plants (P1-P5), or soil (S1-S5). N if non- experimental subplot. Blank unless non- experimental subplot or soil or plant experiments are done in subplot.

Identifies subplots where decomposition experiments are conducted. If blank, no decomposition experiments in subplot.

Identifies types of decomposition experiments in the subplot used in combination (eg. FL, FLW etc.). Blank if no decomposition experiments on the subplot.

UNIT

PRECISION

RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES

0 = No fungi and leaf decomposition experiment, 1 = Yes fungi and leaf decomposition experiment

0 = No wood decompostion experiment, 1 = Yes wood decomposition experiment

S = Soil experiment, N = none, P = Plant experiment, blank = no decomposition experiments in subplot.

P1-P5 = plant experiment subplots within a plot

S1-S5 = soil experiment subplots within a plot.

N if non-experimental subplot

D = subplot with decomposition experiments; blank if no decomposition experiments in subplot

F = fungi, L = litter, W = wood, blank if no decomposition experiments in subplot.

DATA TYPE

numeric

numeric

alphabetic

alphanumeric

alphabetic

alphabetic

MISSING DATA CODES

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES):

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)

1

1

1

1

1

1

Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)

SubRec

Species

SpAb

SubSp

SubAb

Notes

NAME OF VARIABLE

Subplot summary line identifier

Species Code

Species abundance

Number of fern species in subplot

Count of all fern individuals in subplot

Notes

DEFINITION OF VARIABLE

Code for identifying subplot summary line. There is a line of data for each species encountered in a subplot. One of these species lines also includes information summarizing data for all the species in the subplot. There are a variable number of records for each subplot depending on the number of species. The first (alpha by species) is marked with an X and contains summary counts (SubSp and SubAb) in addition to the count for that species (SpAb) for the subplot. Blank if subplot summary data is not present. missing.

Six character genus and species code. No missing data. The value UNIDENT means that the species was not identified; NONE means there were no ferns in the subplot.

Number of individuals of a given species (identified by the species code) in the subplot. Must be present if plot monitored. If no ferns of that species present will be zero.

Count of the number of fern species in subplot. Blank if no X in SubRec code.

Sum of all counts for all fern species in the subplot. Blank if no X in SubRec.

Any comments about the plants or plots or observers. Blank if no notes.

UNIT

PRECISION

RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES

X = subplot summary line Blank = not a subplot summary line

DATA TYPE

Alphabetic

alphabetic

integer

numeric

numeric

alphabetic

MISSING DATA CODES

COMPUTATIONAL METHODS

Variable Name

Formula

FOR DATA MANAGER USE ONLY

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: December 14, 2009
DATE OF LAST ENTRY: January 6, 2007
STAGE OF DATA SET MANAGEMENT (dates):
RECEIVED: March 22, 2004
ENTERED: February 23, 2006
FILED ON-LINE: March 1, 2006
REVIEWED BY RESEARCHER:

FILING MEDIA:
NAME OF DOCUMENTATION FILE: lterdb144.htm, ctemetadata.doc
NAME OF ON - LINE CATALOG: LTERDBAS
RECORD #: 146
DOCUMENT TYPE: binary only
PRIORITY TO BE ENTERED: N/A

Rev. date of this form: 28 July 200/ 15 July 2001/June 9, 2003/March 16, 2004/12 April 2005/ 8 November 2005/ 16 January 2000

PERSON(S) COMPLETING THIS FORM:	E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Joanne M. Sharpe	Joannesharpe@email.com
Eda C. Meléndez-Colom	emelendez@lternet.edu

Data File No.	Data File Identifier	On-Line Filename	Starting Date	Periodicity of sample	End Period
1	CTE Ferns measurements	cteferns.txt	January 13, 2003	Annual	January 15, 2008 *

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Joanne M. Sharpe	Joannesharpe@email.com

CONTACT PERSONS	Phone Number (Include area code)	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Joanne M. Sharpe	(207) 882-5989	Joannesharpe@email.com

BlockPlot	X	Y
A1	217379	54625
A2	217437	54631
A3	217423	54720
A4	217460	54684
B1	217824	54356
B2	217875	54344
B3	217913	54278
B4	217970	54217
C1	217878	54476
C2	217933	54476
C3	217998	54480
C4	218094	54544

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)	1	1	1	1	1
Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)	BLOCK	PLOT	SUBPLOT	TRIM	DETRITUS
NAME OF VARIABLE	Block identifier	Plot Identifier	Subplot Identifier	Trim plot identifier	Detritus applied to plot identifier
DEFINITION OF VARIABLE	Name given to a grouping of 4-like plots in one of three locations. No missing data.	Name given to a 20m X 20m plot of a Block. No missing data.	Name given to a 4.7m X 4.7m of a plot within a block. No missing data.	Identifies plots which have had canopy trimming treatments applied. A value must be present in all records under this column.	Identifies plots which have experimental detritus on them. A value must be present in all records under this column.
UNIT
PRECISION
RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES	A = West of western edge of Big Grid plot, B = South of Big Grid, C = West of SE	1,..., 4	1,..., 16	1 = trimmed, 0 = not trimmed	1 = present, 0 = not present
DATA TYPE	alphabetic	integer	integer	numeric	numeric
MISSING DATA CODES

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)	1	1	1	1
Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)	TRT	DATE	DAY	MONTH
NAME OF VARIABLE	Treatment descriptors	Survey date	Survey day	Survey month
DEFINITION OF VARIABLE	Code for the total treatment (trimming and detritus) applied to plot. A value must be present in all records under this column.	Date of survey (in dd-mmm-yy). A value must be present in all records under this column.	Day of the month that the survey was conducted. A value must be present in all records under this column.	Month in which the survey was conducted. A value must be present in all records under this column.
UNIT
PRECISION
RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES	CONTROL = no canopy trim and no detritus deposited, REMOVE = canopy trimmed and cut detritus removed from plot ADDITION = no canopy trim and detritus from the remove plot deposited on plot substrate DROP = canopy trimmed and detritus deposited on the plot substrate.	13-Jan-2003 (etc.)	1-31	1-12
DATA TYPE	alphabetic	alphanumeric	integer	integer
MISSING DATA CODES

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)	1	1	1	1	1	1
Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)	YR	EXDATE	TrtSeq	ExpN	ExpP	ExpS
NAME OF VARIABLE	Survey year	Excel Date	Treatment descriptors	No Experiment	Plant experiments	Soil Experiments
DEFINITION OF VARIABLE	Year in which the survey was conducted. A value must be present in all records under this column.	Serial date, converted from DATE by assigning a format of Number/General in spreadsheet. A value must be present in all records under this column.	Code (abbreviated) for total treatment (trimming and detritus) that starts with a number thereby sequencing them logically for analysis. A value must be present in all records under this column.	Identifies subplots that are non-experimental and do not have experiments (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.	Identifies subplots that have Plant experiments (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.	Identifies subplots that have Soil experiments on subplot (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.
UNIT
PRECISION
RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES	2003-2015		1REM = canopy trimmed and cut detritus removed from plot 2DROP = canopy trimmed and detritus deposited on the plot substrate 3ADD = no canopy trim and detritus from the remove plot deposited on plot substrate 4CON = no canopy trim and no detritus deposited	0 = experimental plot, 1 = non-experimental plot	0 = No plant experiment, 1 = Yes plant experiment	0 = No soil experiment, 1 = Yes soil experiment
DATA TYPE	integer	numeric	alphanumeric	numeric	numeric	numeric
MISSING DATA CODES

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)	1	1	1	1	1	1
Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)	ExpFL	ExpW	ExpType	ExpTypeSub	ExpDec	ExpDecType
NAME OF VARIABLE	Fungi and leaf litter decomposition experiments	Wood decomposition experiments	Type of experiment on subplot	Code for multiple subplots with same kind of experiment within a plot.	Code for subplots with decomposition experiments	Types of decomposition experiment
DEFINITION OF VARIABLE	Identifies subplots that have Fungi and Leaf litter decomposition experiments on subplot (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.	Identifies subplots that have Wood decomposition experiments on subplot (yes or no). A value must be present in all records under this column.	Identifies selected types of experiments in the subplot. Blank unless non-experimental subplot or soil or plant experiments are done in the subplot.	Designated code for the five specific experimental subplots within a plot for plants (P1-P5), or soil (S1-S5). N if non- experimental subplot. Blank unless non- experimental subplot or soil or plant experiments are done in subplot.	Identifies subplots where decomposition experiments are conducted. If blank, no decomposition experiments in subplot.	Identifies types of decomposition experiments in the subplot used in combination (eg. FL, FLW etc.). Blank if no decomposition experiments on the subplot.
UNIT
PRECISION
RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES	0 = No fungi and leaf decomposition experiment, 1 = Yes fungi and leaf decomposition experiment	0 = No wood decompostion experiment, 1 = Yes wood decomposition experiment	S = Soil experiment, N = none, P = Plant experiment, blank = no decomposition experiments in subplot.	P1-P5 = plant experiment subplots within a plot S1-S5 = soil experiment subplots within a plot. N if non-experimental subplot	D = subplot with decomposition experiments; blank if no decomposition experiments in subplot	F = fungi, L = litter, W = wood, blank if no decomposition experiments in subplot.
DATA TYPE	numeric	numeric	alphabetic	alphanumeric	alphabetic	alphabetic
MISSING DATA CODES

File Name or # above (all in which the variable appears)	1	1	1	1	1	1
Abbreviation(as it appears on the data file)	SubRec	Species	SpAb	SubSp	SubAb	Notes
NAME OF VARIABLE	Subplot summary line identifier	Species Code	Species abundance	Number of fern species in subplot	Count of all fern individuals in subplot	Notes
DEFINITION OF VARIABLE	Code for identifying subplot summary line. There is a line of data for each species encountered in a subplot. One of these species lines also includes information summarizing data for all the species in the subplot. There are a variable number of records for each subplot depending on the number of species. The first (alpha by species) is marked with an X and contains summary counts (SubSp and SubAb) in addition to the count for that species (SpAb) for the subplot. Blank if subplot summary data is not present. missing.	Six character genus and species code. No missing data. The value UNIDENT means that the species was not identified; NONE means there were no ferns in the subplot.	Number of individuals of a given species (identified by the species code) in the subplot. Must be present if plot monitored. If no ferns of that species present will be zero.	Count of the number of fern species in subplot. Blank if no X in SubRec code.	Sum of all counts for all fern species in the subplot. Blank if no X in SubRec.	Any comments about the plants or plots or observers. Blank if no notes.
UNIT
PRECISION
RANGE OR LIST OF VALUES	X = subplot summary line Blank = not a subplot summary line
DATA TYPE	Alphabetic	alphabetic	integer	numeric	numeric	alphabetic
MISSING DATA CODES