LUQ DATA SET METADATA

Completed

Data Files and Variables

Data File Identifier Data File Collected
Sabana Tree stem 11/16/1995 - 05/20/2003
Sabana pasture cover percent 11/16/1995 - 05/20/2003
Puente Roto coverpercent 11/10/2000 - 05/22/2003
Las Davilas coverpercent 08/31/2000 - 05/19/2003
Road 9948 coverpercent 11/29/2000 - 05/29/2003
Road 990 coverpercent 09/14/2000 - 05/22/2003
97
Sabana pasture permanent plot vegetation sampling

Methods:

Twenty five (2 m X 5 m) plots have been set in the pasture next to the forest. These are organized in five rows with five plots each set up with the 5 m side along the forest edge. The percentage of the area of each plot covered by each species is visually estimated (file 1). For each tree stem in each plot greater than 1 m in height, we measure the basal diameter and height, and identify the species.

Abstract

Permanent plot data is expected to show these temporal patterns: (1) rapid increases in percent cover and tree stem density, and (2) rapid turnover from early to late successional plant species. Plant-plant competition should show quick increases in intensity with native grass species and exotic as top competitors. These may lead to exclusion of some trees common after landslide disturbance. Spatial patterns of invading trees should include edge effects due to dispersal limitation with clumping of bird-dispersed species before the first five years after cow exclusion. Because of intact soil and low vegetation in the pasture trees should grow, as measured by biomass(productivity), height, and basal diameter increases, significantly faster compared to colonization of landslides.

Researcher's Keywords:

permanent plots
Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF)
Luquillo
Puerto Rico
Greater Antilles
Caribbean
Sites
Sites Projects Programs
long-term
Methods
Methods Products
percent cover
Fields of ecology
establishment
Community dynamics
Ecological phenomena processes
tree invasion
Recovery
Disturbance and Land Use

LTER Core Area(s):

disturbance