This primary purpose of this data set is to validate the LTER Weather Station tipping bucket rain gauge data. The dipstick rain gauge (DSRG) data is measured at least weekly during scheduled maintenance trips to the LTER Weather Station to maintain the evaporation pan water levels. During the summer months this may be twice a week. Additionally, DSRG data is collected after any rain event that requires the collection of the Wetfall/Dryfall precipitation buckets which are located about 10 meters from the DSRG. This is usually any amount greater than 0.02". DSRG data is also collected after very small events when personnel are in the vicinity.
[John Anderson added the following from info provided by Justin Van Zee and edited by Michelle Buonopane.] Overview: In semiarid ecosystems the diversity of plant functional types ( grasses, shrubs, succulents, and so on) and of species may interact with the severe stresses imposed by the desert environment to influence ecosystem processes. Erosion and transport of surface sediment by wind and water is one process that may be affected by the physical structure of the plant community. The Jornada plant diversity experiment, in which the diversity and structure of the plant community have been manipulated in large (25 m x 25 m) plots, offers the opportunity to examine the relative importance of vegetation characteristics and landscape position in determining rates of sediment movement within the plots. Soil erosion is also an important indicator of relative disturbance effects of the treatment manipulations. Each of the 48 plots of the plant diversity experiment contains 5 pans or trays on the downslope side; these accumulate sediments and plant litter that are moving within the plots (carried by wind or by water). Data have been collected on the amount of sediment accumulated in the pans during rainy and during dry seasons, with material sorted and weighed as fine (< 2 mm diameter) or coarse > 2 mm) mineral sediment, plant litter, or rabbit/jackrabbit pellets. Previous statistical analyses found that the mass of material collected per plot is explained only poorly by the treatment (plant community manipulation) of the plot and by block (a rough indication of location on the slope). Objectives: We will test the relative significance of the following variables in explaining plot-level accumulations of sediment and litter: treatment, block, position on slope (the row, from 1 (top of slope) to 10 (bottom), in which the plot is located), the treatment of the plot immediately upslope from the plot, and indices of plant cover and volume (total and by functional group) from the plot-level sampling of vegetation (using fall 1997 data). In addition, we will test the significance of the following variables in explaining the accumulation of sediment and litter in individual pans within a plot: all variables listed above for the plot, plus indices of the vegetative cover and volume located immediately upslope of the pan (weighted for distance from the pan itself).
Sum of dry mass removed for each plant growth form from each plot of biodiversity experiment. Amount of plant material removed in initial establishment of plant diversity treatments was recorded for later use as covariate or measure of disturbance. Material was weighed in the field by species, and species-level data are available from Huenneke; however, this file summarizes plant material removed (dry mass) by growth form (shrub, subshrub, perennial grass, succulent) and by total live dry mass. Also provided are mass of dead material collected from plots (same species as live material removed for each treatment) and total dry mass, live plus dead.
These data are collected to provide a measurement of rainfall at the Biodiversity site. They are Daily Summary data providing daily totals for those dates that precipitation occurred. Values are in millimeters (mm).
These data are collected to provide a measurement of rainfall at the Biodiversity site. They are detailed records providing a time stamp of month/day/year hour:minute:second for each tip of the tipping bucket rain gauge (equal to 0.1 mm of precipitation).
A 4" diameter cylindric graduated rain gage (11" x 0.01" capacity) is mounted on a 4x4 inch diameter redwood post or on a wooden exclosure post next to gate at or near the 15 LTER-II NPP sites. Collection is made monthly on the day that monthly soil water content measurements are made to correlate precipitation input with belowground water content. Data is collected primarily from graduated rain gauges. However, when missing data would result otherwise, amounts from the closest rain gauge are used in order to maintain as complete a data set as possible for that site. The rain gauge used is identified with each rainfall record. Other types that may be used are the Standard Can Gauge (DSRG or dipstick rain gauge), Belfort Weigh Bucket Rain Gauge (WBRG), and Qualimetrics Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge (TBRG).
Daily summary values of averages of readings of the following parameters are made which are based on data recorded on a Campbell CR10(X) data logger: maximum, minimum, and average air temperature; maximum and minimum relative humidity; total precipitation; average wind speed; maximum wind speed; average wind direction; total incoming solar radiation; average soil temperature at 5cm and 20cm; mean dew temperature. From 1983 - 5 June 1991, readings on which daily averages are based were made at 12 second intervals. From 6 June 1991 to present, readings on which daily averages are based are made at 10 second intervals.
Monthly summary of precipitation and air temperature data collected daily from standard U.S. climatological service instruments located at USDA Jornada Experimental Range Headquarters.
Soil temperature data was acquired using a mechanical chart recorder of soil temperatures with thermistors at 5 cm and 20 cm soil depths at a site approximately 20 feet west of the Upper Trailer on the Jornada.
Contains areas of disturbances on soil/surface for different categories of animal (for example, Novomesser ant). To be used to calculate % disturbance and soil disturbance density by animal.
