LUQ DATA SET METADATA

Completed

Data Files and Variables

Data File Identifier Data File Collected
Forest floor litter composition in Bisley Experimental Forest
text/csv iconLitterBN.csv
 02/12/2001
Coarse Woody Debris in Bisley Experimental Forest
text/csv iconCWDDBN.csv
 02/19/2002
Forest floor litter composition in the Rio Icacos Basin
text/csv iconLitterIN.csv
 02/12/2001
Coarse Woody Debris in the Rio Icacos Basin
text/csv iconCWDIN.csv
 02/15/2002

Measurements:

Month of measurement
Day out/day
Year of measurement or observation
Plot location
Transect name
Diameter(cm)
128
Coarse Woody Debris in Bisley Experimental Forest and the Rio Icacos Basin

Research Sites:

Bisley Study Area coarse woody debris environment transects site

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.

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 the coarse woody debris (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.

Owner:

William H. McDowell

Contact(s):

William H. McDowell
Jordan Macy

Associated:

Jordan Macy

Researcher's Keywords:

Puerto Rico
Greater Antilles
Caribbean
Sites
Sites Projects Programs
pools
Habitats
Habitat Forest-structure
organic matter
litter
coarse woody debris
Natural or anthropogenic materials
nitrogen
carbon
Individual elements
nutrients
Geochemical Controls
Biogeochemistry Controls
Biogeochemistry

LTER Core Area(s):

organic matter

Complete Metadata:

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