Plum Island Ecosystem LTER Database

http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/PIE

 

 

 

Acceptance and utilization of PIE-LTER data requires that:

·        The Principal Investigator be sent a notice stating reasons for acquiring any data and a description of the publication intentions.

·        The Principal Investigator of the data set be sent a copy of the report or manuscript prior to submission and be adequately cited in any resultant publications.

·        A copy of any resultant publications should be sent to:

(Principal Investigator)
Ecosystems Center;
Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, MA 02543

 

 

PLUM ISLAND ECOSYSTEM LTER DATABASE

 

DATA FILE:    Data file is available as both an Excel spreadsheet (version 2000) and a text (tab-delimited) file.

            LTE-MD-EARLYVEG.xls, LTE-MD-EARLYVEG.txt

 

DOCUMENTATION FILE:                LTE-MD-EARLYVEG.doc

 

YEAR: 2000

 

PI: Robert Buchsbaum

 

OTHERS: Amy Chiuchiolo, Linda Deegan , Julie Horowitz, Maria Mensching, Governor Dummer Academy students

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DATA FILE: Biomass and shoot densities at hayed and reference sites for samples collected in June and early July 2000.

 

KEYWORDS: haying, salt marsh, vegetation

 

SITE TYPE: Long-term experiment

 

RESEARCH LOCATION: Salt marsh that is hayed by Dan McHugh in Rowley, MA and reference areas in the vicinity of Stackyard and Patmos Roads.   Four study sites (two hayed and two references) are contained with approximate boundaries as ff: Lat. 42.740N-42.747N; Long. 70.836W-70.847W. The two hayed sites are McH1 (hayed every year, north of Patmos Rd) and EPH (East of Perry's land and between Sawyer Creek and Patmos Rd, hayed every two years, last hayed in 1999).  The two reference sites are PUH (Perry Unhayed, between Sawyer Creek and Patmos Rd) and Club Creek (S of Stackyard Rd and bounded on its E side by the PRNWR).

 

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND METHODS: Shoot densities and biomass of individual species within four vegetation zones (Spartina alterniflora, S. patens, Distichlis spicata, Juncus gerardi) were compared at four marsh sites (2 hayed and 2 reference).  Sampling was carried out by placing three 0.1 m2 quadrats within identified vegetation zones at each marsh site.  Plants were clipped at the surface of the substrate and then divided into live and dead material. The live plants were further separated into individual species.  The number of shoots per species per quadrat was determined by counting individual shoots.  After counting, plant material was dried at 60oC to constant weight (about 48 hrs) and the plants weighed on an electronic balance.  

 

NOTES AND COMMENTS:  Vegetation zones were determined visually and were therefore somewhat subjective. Abbreviations for “Collectr” RB (Robert Buchsbaum), AC (Amy Chiuchiolo), LD (Linda Deegan), JH (Julie Horowitz), MM (Maria Mensching), GDA (Governor Dummer students)

 

VARIABLE DESCRIPTION:

DATE = date when plants were collected (DD-MMM-YYYY)

Datesort = date when plants were sorted by species

Location = area where plants were collected

Treatm = shows if site is a hayed area or a reference area

Plantzon = plant zone where collection took place (S. alterniflora, S. patens, etc.)

Rep = replicate number (three quadrats were collected for most samples)

Shootden = density of shoots of dominant species of that plant zone in number per 0.1 m2

Collectr = names of people who collected the samples.  See “Notes” above for abbreviations

Sadens = Density of shoots of Spartina alterniflora in number per 0.1 m2

Spdens = Density of shoots of Spartina patens in number per 0.1 m2

Dsdens = Density of shoots of Distichlis spicata in number per 0.1 m2

Jgdens = Density of shoots of Juncus gerardii in number per 0.1 m2

SALdens = Density of shoots of Salicornia europaea in number per 0.1 m2

Biomdom = Biomass (in grams per 0.1 m2) of dominant species of that zone

Biomdead = Biomass (in grams per 0.1 m2) of standing dead

Sabiom = Biomass (in grams per 0.1 m2) of Spartina alterniflora

Spbiom = Biomass (in grams per 0.1 m2) of Spartina patens

Dsbiom = Biomass (in grams per 0.1 m2) of Distichlis spicata

Jgbiom = Biomass (in grams per 0.1 m2) of Juncus gerardii

 

CALCULATIONS:

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Robert Buchsbaum

Massachusetts Audubon Society

mailto:rbuchsbaum@massaudubon.org

OTHER DATA FILES TO REFERENCE:

LTE-MD-VEGSTN.htm

REFERENCE CITATIONS:

 

DATA AVAILABILITY STATUS:

Type 2

ARCHIVE INFORMATION:

Date of entry: May 17, 2001

Data entered by: Robert Buchsbaum

Comments: