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 paraghaphs as you need them for entering your data.
• Contact emelendez@lternet.edu,if you have any question.

DATA SET IDENTIFIER: Fern sporophyte growth observation at the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF)

PROJECT TITLE: Fern Population Dynamics

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Ferns are an important part of the understory of many tropic forests, yet nothing is known about their leaf turnover rates, hence their contribution to the litter layer and overall functioning of the forest ecosystem. This long-term project addresses that question by marking and monitoring each leaf produced by over a thousand individuals representing over 20 different species. Plants and their leaves are observed at four month intervals for ten years starting in September 1991 (Phase 1) and then at one year intervals for an additional ten years starting in January 2001 (Phase 2). Seasonality in leaf and spore production, as well as effects of drought and hurricanes are noted. Defoliation experiments with several species are being conducted to determine the limits of disturbance effects.

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): (Only Data for File #15: See Dissemination)

Note:
Data files 1-15, 20.  (FERNGGGSSS, FERNTHAN) These files are identical in format and contain data, on a line-line basis, about individual leaves. Information in this file includes measurements and observations as well as leaf location and identification information. Leaves in these files were monitored three times a year (Phase 1) from the time the plant was first included in the study until the plant died, dissappeared, or was dropped from the study.  At the end of Phase 1, only species with leaf lifespans greater than one year were annually monitored for individual leaf emergence and mortality throughout Phase 2 and these observations are included in these files.  A selection of data from FERNTHEANG was copied into FERNTHAN for public access after use for a preliminary publication (1997).

Data file 16. (FERNPH02). This file contains only summary information about the leaves on a plant and measurements of the longest whole sterile and fertile leaves present when monitored.   Monitoring of plants to obtain the data in this file is done annually in January from the time Phase 2 began (January 2002) if the plant was monitored in Phase 1, or from the time a plant was included in the study if it had not been monitored during Phase 1.

Data file 17. (FERNSEQ). This is the plant "control file" and contains a record for each plant in the study indicating when monitoring started and when it ended (if it is no longer being monitored). This file also includes microhabitat data and litterfall data. Some location data about the plant is also found on this file.

Data file 18.  (FERNTR33)  Annual plant monitoring records for a selected population of Thelypteris reticulata.

Data file 19, 21, 22. (FERNFLD, FERNFLDAD, FERNFLD1). Notes were made in the field about the study sites and various aspects of the plants being monitored. These are referenced to the field book and page and provide supplementary data not easily included using the standard data recording protocols. As manuscripts are prepared (FERNFLDAD, FERNFLD1), data is removed from the active file (FERNFLD) to facilitate eventual public access.

*data published in 1997

RESEARCH LOCATION: At Luquillo Experimental Forest Sonadora, Espiritu Santo and Bisley Watersheds, and at Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Aguirre, PR (comparative site)

INVESTIGATORS:  

SOURCE OF FUNDING (SPONSOR): various (non-LTER); LTER (travel, lodging)

DATA SET ABSTRACT:Long-term (20-year) monitoring sites have been established in the Luquillo Experimental <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Forest. Individuals of approximately 20 species of ferns are being monitored on a regular basis to determine plant life history classes, leaf production rates, fertility characteristics and leaf damage levels. Effects of natural disturbance will be interpreted in light of these parameters. The study includes sites at El Verde, and Espiritu Santo</st1:place> and Bisley watersheds. A comparative study of ferns in the mangrove community at the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was started in January 1998 and completed in January 2001. Comparisons of similar species will also be made at temperate sites.

DATA SET METHODS:Individual sporophytes representing a range of life history classes (mainly spore-producing sporophytes) were selected for monitoring. Plants were chosen at one or more sites with relatively large concentrations of each species. Selected plants are mostly well off the main trails and accessible for measuring without damage to the surrounding areas. Initially, a representative sample (at least ten individuals, if possible) of plants at each site were selected. Additional individuals are added at later monitoring periods to fill gaps in life history class samples. At sites where it is possible to monitor all ferns present, new plants are added to the study when they are large enough to tag. Each plant is given a unique number and each of the leaves on the plant is measured and described. Each plant is identified with a white plastic tag attached one of the younger leaves and microhabitat data on substrate, slope and neighboring plants is recorded and maintained in a separate plant control file. Each leaf is identified with a small segment of colored plastic covered wire. Plants are monitored at intervals of 4 months during phase 1 (through January 30, 2001) and annually during phase 2 (through January 30, 2011). Data sheets were prepared prior to each visit to reflect the leaf additions, loss and changes to plants observed during the previous monitoring period. Both plant location and leaf identification information are included on the data sheets. For each plant in the study, the disappearance of previously monitored leaves is noted and new leaves are measured. In September of 1996 defoliation experiments were begun with two species at El Verde. A second defoliation experiment with two different species at El Verde was begun in September of 1999. All leaves were removed from experimental plants and the dry weight determined. Regrowth rates are being monitored as indicated above. Starting in May 1993, general litterfall data was recorded for each monitoring session of Phase 1. Field notes about the site and other aspects of the study were also recorded during each monitoring period and incorporated into this data set.

REFERENCES:
Cousens, M. I., D. G. Lacey, and E. M. Kelly. 1985. Life-history studies of ferns: A consideration of perspective. Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 86B: 371-380.

Proctor, George R. 1989. Ferns of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 53:1-389.

Sharpe, Joanne M. 1993. Plant growth and demography of the Neotropical herbaceous fern Danaea wendlandii (Marattiaceae) in a Costa Rican Rain Forest. Biotropica 25: 85-94.

Sharpe, Joanne M. and Judith A. Jernstedt. 1990. Leaf growth and phenology of the dimorphic herbaceous layer fern Danaea wendlandii (Marattiaceae) in a Costa Rican rain forest. Amer. J. Bot. 77: 1040-1049.

CROSS-REFERENCES (other data sets related to this one): LTERDBAS121:  Fern distribution in the El Verde MRCE plots. LTERDBAS146: Canopy Trimming Experiment Fern Surveys

SAMPLE LOCATION: N/A

STORAGE SITES (of data files):The original field data is stored in the office of Sharplex Services, PO Box 499, Edgecomb ME 04556. The computer files are stored in directory PR on an IBM-compatible PC using Lotus 1-2-3. Backup copies of all the original data and diskettes for the previous 3 monitoring periods are stored in a separate location. Voucher specimens for most species have been collected, identified by George Proctor at DNR Puerto Rico or Robbin Moran, and are on deposit at the herbarium of College of the Atlantic (HCOA), Bar Harbor, Maine or the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx NY.

INVESTIGATOR'S ASSIGNED KEYWORDS:ferns, rainforest, demography, phenology, life history, spore production, disturbance, Luquillo Experimental Forest, Sonadora, Espiritu Santo and Bisley Watersheds Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Aguirre, PR (comparative site)

LEF LTER OFFICIAL KEYWORDS (See table):EL VERDE, BISLEY WATERSHEDS, LEF, MANGROVE, LOWER MONTANE WET, HURRICANE, DROUGHT, DISTURBANCE, FLOOD, RAINFALL, PLANT GROWTH, PLANT LIFEHISTORY, PRIMARY PRODUCTION, SEASONALITY, FERNS

PUBLICATIONS:
Sharpe, Joanne M. 1996. Growth and demography of sporophytes of Thelypteris angustifolia in the Luquillo rainforest of Puerto Rico. In: J.M. Camus, M. Gibby and R. J. Johns (Editors). Pteridology in Perspective, pp. 667-668, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sharpe, J. M.  1997.  Temporal variation in leaf and spore production rates for understory ferns in a Puerto Rican rainforest.  American Journal of Botany 84 Suppl. 6: 167. (Supplement).  [Abstract]

Sharpe, Joanne M. 1997. Leaf growth and demography of the rheophytic fern Thelypteris angustifolia (Willdenow) Proctor in a Puerto Rican rainforest. Plant Ecology 130: 203-212.

Sharpe, J. M. 1997. Temporal variation in leaf and spore production rates for understory ferns of a Puerto Rican rainforest. American Jounal of Botany 84 Suppl. 6: 167

Sharpe, J. M. 1999. Hurricane impact on the growth of a mangrove fern Acrostichum danaeifolium. P. 526. In XVI International Botanical Congress - Abstracts

Sharpe, J. M.  2006.  Long-term studies of ferns in Puerto Rico.  Botany 2006:  Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America: New Advances in Fern Ecology.  www.2006.conference.org [Abstract]

Sharpe, J. M. 2007 (In review).  Responses of the mangrove fern Acrostichum danaeifolium L. (Pteridaceae, Pteridophyta) to disturbance at the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Puerto Rico

DISSEMINATION: RESTRICTED

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

*WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY LTER PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS.o:p

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: Luquillo Experimental Forest, Sonadora, Espiritu Santo and Bisley Watersheds. Also comparative sites at the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Aguirre, PR). For specific plot locations see code descriptions under DATA VARIABLE Site Code.

Geographical positional system (GPS) Coordinates for each location:

VARIABLES (ATTRIBUTES): See VARIABLES: A total of 88 different variables are defined for this data set (some occurring in multiple files, and some in multiple columns) and are described in the Variables metadata.

FOR DATA MANAGER USE ONLY

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: July 3, 2007
DATE OF LAST ENTRY: 2004
STAGE OF DATA SET MANAGEMENT (dates):
RECEIVED Jan 31, 1997
ENTERED: FILED Jan 31, 1997
ON-LINE:
REVIEWED BY RESEARCHER: April 27, 2004
FILING MEDIA:
NAME OF DOCUMENTATION FILE: LTERDB75.HTM
NAME OF DATA FILE: FERNGS##,  where G=first letter of genus, S=first letter of species, and ##=number of site;  FERNGGGSSS, where GGG=first three letters of genus and SSS=first three letters of species; FERNPH02, FERNFLD and FERNSEQ; FERNTHAN, FERNFLDAD, FERNMISC1 and FERNFLD1 (copies or extracts of data for publication)
NAME OF ON - LINE CATALOG: LTERDBAS
RECORD #: 75
DOCUMENT TYPE: magnetic media only
PRIORITY TO BE ENTERED: N/A</span>

Rev. date of this form: 27 April 2004