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: Longterm Intersite Decomposition Experiment (LIDET)

PROJECT TITLE: Long-term Intersite Decomposition Experiment (LIDET)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The LIDET experiment is designed to test the effects of substrate quality and macroclimate on long-term decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of fine litter.  Although other factors, such as the decomposer biota, may also influence these long-term dynamics, we felt that substrate quality and macroclimate would explain the largest proportion of the variation and would be the easiest to extrapolate geographically. The role of the decomposer biota is tested indirectly by the LIDET experiment, however, as the litter used was not native to the sites.  If there is a large interaction between substrate quality and decomposer biota, then some species of litter may decompose faster or slower than generally expected at some of the sites.

The LIDET decomposition experiments have been installed at 28 sites that span a wide array of ecosystems, from tundra to warm desert to shortgrass steppe to moist tropical forest (Table I, Figure 1).  Precitpitation ranges from 230 to 4000 mm year1 and mean annual air temperature ranges from 7-26 C (Figure 2). Although many sites differ markedly in precipitation and temperature, many are distinguishable only by their seasonal dynamics.  The Konza and Andrews sites, for example, have identical abiotic decomposition indices (Parton et al. 1987) but distinctly different precipitation patterns, with winter rainfall at Andrews and summer rainfall at Konza.

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):

Data File No.	Data File Identifier	On-Line Filename	Starting Date	Periodicity of sample	End Period
1	LIDET	newmass.txt	September 12, 1990	Approx 120 days	April 15, 1993

RESEARCH LOCATION: In Puerto Rico: At 350m near the El Verde Field Station in the Tabonuco Forest

INVESTIGATORS:

SOURCE OF FUNDING (SPONSOR): NSF-LTER and NSF-LIDET

DATA SET ABSTRACT: LIDET is the LTER Longterm Intersite Decomposition Experiment Team. It is a leaf, wood, and root decomposition study carried out at 28 LTER and other sites including LUQ. The duration of the study is designed to be approximately 10 yrs at temperate zone sites and approximately 3 yrs at tropical zone sites because of higher decomposition rates there. The same decomposing materials, litter bags, and study design are used at all sites to facilitate intersite comparisons.

DATA SET METHODS: Leaves were placed in mesh bags with 0.1 mm lower holes and either 1 or 7 mm upper holes. Roots were all in 0.1 mm mesh bags. Leaves and root bags were placed under the soil surface litter layer. Wood was commercial 1/4 inch dowels inserted halfway into the ground to measure both aboveground and belowground decomposition rates. All materials were placed in the field at the same time. At each sampling period, 4 replicates of each assigned type were collected and sent to Oregon State University for processing. At LUQ, litter was field exposed at 350 m elevation in Tabonuco forest type near the El Verde Field Station.

REFERENCES:
Aber, J.D., J.M. Melillo, and C.A. McClaugherty. 1990. Predicting long-term patterns of mass loss, nitrogen dynamics, and soil organic matter formation from initial fine litter chemistry in temperate forest ecosystems. Can. J. Bot. 68: 2201-2208

Berg, B., G. Ekbohm, and C.A. McClaugherty.1984. Lignin and holocellulose relations during long-term decomposition of some forest litters.  Long-term decomposition in a Scots pine forest.IV.  Can. I. Bot. 62: 25402550>

Berg, B., and H. Staaf. 1981.Leaching, accumulation and release of nitrogen in decomposing forest litter.  Pages 163-178 in F.E. Clark and T. Rosswal, eds.  Terrestrial Nitrogen Cycles.  Ecol. Bull. Vol. 33. Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockhom, Sweden

Bunnell, F.L., and D.E.N. Tait. 1977. Microbial respiration and substrate loss. II. A model of the influences of chemical composition.  Soil Biol. Biochem. 9: 41-47

Bunnell, F.L., D.E.N. Tait, P.W. Flanagan, and K.Van Cleve.1977. Microbial respiration and substrate loss.I. A general model of the influences of abiotic factors.  Soil Biol. Biochem. 9: 33-40

Edmonds R. L. 1984. Long-term decomposition and nutrient dynamics in Pacific silver fir needles in western Washington.Can.  J. For. Res. 14: 395-400

Foge, R., and K. Cromach, Jr. 1977. Effect of habitat and substrate quality on Douglas-fir litter decomposition in western Oregon.  Can. I. Bot.55: 1632-1640

Heath, G.W., C.A. Edwards, and M.K. Arnold. 1964. Some methods for assessing the activity of soil animals in the breakdown of leaves.  Pedobiologica 4: 80-87.
 
Houghton, R.A., J.E. Hobbie, J.M. Melillo, B. Moore, B.J. Peterson, G.R. Shaver, and G.M. Woodwell. 1983. Changes in carbon content of terrestrial biota and soils between 1860 and 1980: a net release of CO₂ to the atmosphere.  Ecol.Monogr. 53: 235-262

Howard, P.J.A., and D.M.Howard. 1974. Microbial decomposition of tree and shrub litter. I. Weight loss and chemical composition of decomposing litter. Oikos 25: 314-352

International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP). 1990. The International Geosphere-Biophere Programme; study of global change.  The Initial Core Projects. IGBP Rep. 12. Stockholm, Sweden

Jansson, P.E., and B. Berg. 1985. Temporal variation of litter decomposition in relation to simulated soil climate: long-term decomposition in a Scots pine forest. Can. J. Bot. 63: 1008-1016

Kurcheva, G.F. 1960. The role of invertebrates in the decomposition of oak litter.  Pedology, Leningrad 4: 16-23.
 
Lousier, J.D., and D. Parkinson.1978. Chemical element dynamics in decomposing leaf litter.  Can. J. Bot. 56: 2795-2812

Lubchenco, J., A. M. Olson, L. B. Brubaker, S. R. Carpenter, M. J. Holland, S. P. Hubbel, S. A. Levin, J. A. MacMahon, P.A. Matson, J. M. Melillo, H.A. Mooney, C. H. Peterson, H.R. Pulliam, L. A. Real, P.J. Regal, and P.G. Risser. 1991. The sustainable biosphere initiative: an ecological research agenda. Ecology 72: 371-412

McClaugherty, C. A., J. Pastor, J. D. Aber, and J. M.  Melillo.1985. Forest litter decomposition in relation to soil nitrogen dynamics and litter quality. Ecology 66: 266-275

Parton, W. J., D. S. Schimel, C. V. Cole, and D. S. Ojima. 1987.  Analysis of factors controlling soil organic matter levels in Great Plains grasslands. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 51: 1173-1179

Rasteter, E., M. G. Ryan, G.R. Shaver, J.M. Melillo, K. J. Nadelhoffer, J.E. Hobbie, and J.D. Aber. 1991. A general biogeochemical model describing the response of the C and N cycles in terrestrial ecosystems to changes in CO₂ climate, and N deposition. Tree Physiology 9: 101-126

Ryan, M.G., J.M. Melillo, and A. Ricca. 1990. A comparison of methods for determining proximate carbon fractions forest litter.  Can. J. For. Res. 20: 166-171

Swift, M.J., O.W. Heal, and J.M. Anderson. 1979. Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles

Vogt, K. A., C.C. Grier, and D.J.Vogt. 1986. Production, turnover, and nutrient dynamics of above-and below-ground detritus of world forests.  Adv. Ecol. Res. 15: 303-377

Wessman, C.A., J.D. Aber, D.L. Peterson, and J.M. Melillo. 1988a.  Foliar analysis using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.  Can. J. For. Res. 18: 6-11

___________. 1988b.Remote sensing of canopy chemistry and nitrogen cycling in temperate forest ecosystems. Nature 335: 154-156

Witkamp, M., and J.S. Olson. 1963. Breakdown of confined and nonconfined oak litter. Oikos 14: 138-147

CROSS-REFERENCES (other data sets related to this one): LTERDBAS 93, 94, 95, 98, 111, 115

STORAGE SITES(of data files): Data Managent's File Cabinet DM-002 Drawer# 1; Forestry Science Laboratory, Oregon State University

INVESTIGATOR'S ASSIGNED KEYWORDS: litter decomposition, soil organic matter, nutrient fluxes, LTER

LEF LTER OFFICIAL KEYWORDS (See table): EL VERDE, TABONUCO, CLIMATE, CATIONS AND ANIONS, GAS EXCHANGE, RAINFALL, PEER REVIEWED DATA SET

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, J. ZIMMERMAN, A. LUGO

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