Transect plant line intercepts - field data (tape format) : Convert data entered using INPUT to same format when entered from data sheet, File Format: BINARY, File Type: Fortran WatIV executable code

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Jornada Basin LTER

Originator: Huenneke, Laura

Originator: Whitford, Walt

Publication_Date: N/A

Title:

Transect plant line intercepts - field data (tape format) : Convert data entered using INPUT to same format when entered from data sheet, File Format: BINARY, File Type: Fortran WatIV executable code

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: entity

Series_Information:

Publication_Information:

Other_Citation_Details:

Contact info for data set originator: Jornada Basin LTER Address:NMSU, Wooton Hall, Room 2002995 Knox Street, Room 200Box 30003, MSC 3JERLas CrucesNM88003 Phone:(505) 646-7918 Email address:datamanager@jornada.nmsu.edu Contact info for data set originator: Huenneke, Laura Address:Dean, College of Arts & Sciences Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5621 Phone:928-523-0516 Email address:Laura.Huenneke@nau.edu Contact info for data set originator: Whitford, Walt Address:Retired, EPA Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003 Phone:505-646-8032 Email address:wawhitfo@nmsu.edu

Online_Linkage:

http://jornada-www.nmsu.edu/datacat.htm

Description:

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION. In the spring of 1982, as part of the establishment of the Jornada Long-Term Ecological Research site in southern New Mexico, a 135 ha portion of a 1500 ha, internally drained, watershed was exclosed from grazing by domestic livestock. Prior to exclosure the watershed, as well as the rest of the Jornada basin, had been moderately to heavily grazed for the past 100 years. Concurrent with grazing, the vegetation had undergone a dramatic change from desert grassland, with an almost continuous cover of C4 perennial grasses, to isolated patches of the original grassland in a mosaic with desert shrub dominated plant communities (Buffington and Herbel, 1965). The exclosure lies along a northeast facing piedmont slope at the base of a steep isolated mountain peak, and covers a variety of component landforms from the foot of the mountain to the basin floor. The exclosure is located immediately upslope from College Playa near NMSU College Ranch Headquarters. DESIGN. Three parallel transects (2.7 km in length) run from the middle of the College Playa up into the foot of Mt. Summerford. The Control transect is to the west, the Treatment transect on the east side of the Control transect, and the Alternate Control to the east of the Treatment transect. The three transects pass through several soil and vegetation zones as they ascend from playa to mountain. Each transect is 30 meters wide with a 45 meter buffer zone between each transect. The Treatment transect was treated annually until 1987 with NHNO3 in a concentration equal to 10g N/m2. There are station markers at 30 meter intervals along each transect. Perpendicular to each transect and crossing at each station marker is the 30 meter plant line intercept transect. This extends 15 meters on either side of the station marker. The ends of the plant line intercept transect are marker by short rebar sticking up about 6 inches aboveground. The plant line intercept transects are thus perpendicular to the direction of major drainage flow. There are 91 stations on each of the 3 2.7 km transects with a plant line intercept transect perpendicular to each station.

This is part of a multi-part data set.

Purpose: N/A

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates_Times:

Beginning_Date: 1987-09-24

Currentness_Reference: as it was at time of compilation

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:

Frequency of Measurement1987 - 1988, biannual (spring = annuals only, fall = annuals & perennials);1992 - 1998, 5 year intervals (spring = annuals only, fall = annuals & perennials);2003 - present, 5 year intervals (fall only = perennials only)Metadata History LogData set title - Transect plant line intercepts - field data(tape format)Data set file name - TPLITAPE.DSD----------------------------------------------------------------mm/dd/yyyy - Date of CommentInt - Initials of person making CommentJPA = John P. AndersonKR = Ken RamseyChanges/Updates - List any changes made to documentmm/dd/yyyy Int Changes/Updates---------- --- -----------------------------------------------10/28/1986 JPA Form completed. Earlier measurements (1982, 1983,1984, 1985, and spring 1986) and documentationwere maintained on HP1000. Documentation waslost and has been regenerated.10/04/1992 JPA Updated02/02/1994 JPA Updated10/09/1998 JPA Converted to new documentation form01/15/1999 JPA Update file names02/17/1999 JPA Update descriptions12/02/1999 JPA Update file names08/23/2003 JPA Created 3 files, one for each transect, byconcatenating individual files that contain data byweek number and transect. These become the Data Filesunder 20.b. above. Previous Data Files listing movedunder Other Files under 20.d.05/09/2005 KR Added Dataset ID and Project ID to top of form.Changed format for Attributes and AssociatedFiles section.Removed Missing/Questionable data section andincorporated into Attributes section.Changed format for Responsible Investigators,Frequnecy of Measurement, and Researchers sections.07/31/2005 JPA Under Attribute descriptions and under SPP variable:Changed variable mask from 'A4' to n/a, and variableformat from N/A to 'A4'.Changed acceptable value codes from Plntalfa.htmto Plntalfa.doc file for Species Code01/24/2006 JPA Unknown when Data Set Access changed to UNRESTRICTED.-------------------------------------------------------------------Data History Log

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Jornada Basin,Chihuahuan Desert, 17 miles NE of Las Cruces, NM, USA

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -107.002148

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -106.502641

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 32.831393

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 32.428919

Bounding_Altitudes:

Altitude_Minimum: 1188

almax: 2658

Altitude_Distance_Units: meter

Keywords:

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Place_Keyword: Chihuahuan Desert

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Place_Keyword: Las Cruces

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Place_Keyword: NM

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Place_Keyword: Southwest USA

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Place_Keyword: Dona Ana County

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: JRN

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: Jornada Basin LTER

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: LTER

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: vegetative cover

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: line intercepts

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: plant cover

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: plant community

Access_Constraints:

Allow all to users: uid=JRN,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org

Allow read to users: public

Use_Constraints:

Data Use and Acknowledgement StatementThis dataset is released to the public and may be used for academic, educational, or commercial purposes subject to the following:ObjectivesThe Jornada Basin LTER Information Management System provides protocol and services for data collection, verification, organization, archives, and distribution.Quality Assurance StatementData managers interact with researchers during the entire scientific process--from the initial planning of sampling designs and field data collection to archiving and distribution of long-term data. The goal of data management is to build and maintain an archive of Jornada Basin LTER data files that are fully documented, error free, and organized in useful ways. Our protocol for data collection and processing seeks maximum interaction between researchers and data management personnel to avoid confusion and potential loss of data or problems with integrity of data. The data manager helps researchers to construct data forms that allow convenient data entry and analysis. Data documentation forms are completed by principal investigators prior to data entry. Data are entered into computer data files by data entry personnel using programs that error- check and verify the data as it is entered. Computer files are subjected to further verification by graphing and/or error-checking programs, and/or examination by field investigators. Error-checked data files are stored with associated documentation files on floppy disks and on a hard-disk database. Back-up data files are maintained as "hard-copy," on multiple floppy disks, and on read/write 30- year magneto-optical disks. Various sets of these data are stored at different sites on the NMSU campus. The final responsibility for quality assurance (both in data and documentation content) rests with the principal investigator who submits the data for inclusion in the Jornada Basin LTER Information Management System. To facilitate quality assurance, the data management staff will provide copies of data and documentation submitted by a principal investigator to that investigator upon request.Policy on Submission of DataAll data collected during a calendar year should be submitted to the Jornada Basin LTER data manager prior to July first of the following year. Data must be submitted with standard Jornada Basin LTER forms (both Project Abstract and Data Set documentation) which include objectives of the study, methods, as well as format and content of the data.Data Access PolicyData will be made publicly available no later than 2 years after submission of the data unless an earlier date is specified by the principal investigator. In the event that an extension of the 2 year period is necessary, the principal investigator may petition the Jornada Basin LTER Executive Committee for a longer protected period.Data Acknowledgement PolicyIndividuals and institutions utilizing data from the Jornada Basin LTER database are requested to place the following acknowledgment in any publication in which these data are mentioned: Data sets were provided by the Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) projects. Funding for these data was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation (Grants DEB-92-40261 and DEB 94-11971). Please send 1 copy of any publication that cites Jornada Basin LTER data to: John P. Anderson Jornada Experimental Range P.O. Box 30003, MSC 3JER New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM 88003-0003

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: NMSU, Wooton Hall, Room 200

Contact_Person: Data Manager

Contact_Position: Data Manager

Address_Type: Mailing

Contact_Address:

Address: NMSU, Wooton Hall, Room 200

Address: 2995 Knox Street, Room 200

Address: Box 30003, MSC 3JER

City: Las Cruces

State_or_Province: NM

Postal_Code: 88003

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (505) 646-7918

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (505) 646-5889

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: datamanager@jornada.nmsu.edu

Data_Set_Credit:

Cunningham, Gary

position name:Responsible Investigator

Anderson, John

position name:Researcher

Wondzell, Steve

position name:Researcher

Muldavin, Esteban

position name:Researcher

Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report: Treatment of Data

Lineage:

Methodology:

methodtype: Method Type; field, lab, etc

methoddesc:

----------------------------------------------------------------Canopy cover of plant species intercepted by a line stretched thelength of the 30-meter plant line transect are measured and recorded foreach of 6 5-meter segments. The ends of the line are anchored onpermanently placed 3/8" rebar extending about 6 inches out of the ground.When measurements are to be made, a length of clothesline is stretchedbetween the two rebar so it is taut. Before making readings, ensurethe line is freed from obstructions so it is perfectly straightbetween the two rebar. This may require threading the line throughlarge plants or lifting free where the line is snagged.The clothesline is pre-stretched overnight when new tominimize changes in length when stretched tight in the field.The first meter of segments 1, 2, and 3, and the last meter ofsegments 4, 5, and 6, are marked with enamel paint to indicate a newsegment as well as to identify the portion of the segment whereannuals are read. The length of the line should be checked beforebeginning a new season of measurements to ensure that stretchinghas not distorted line.Data is recorded by identifying Station number (metaltag is located on fence post) and Segment number. The 5-metersegments are numbered 1 through 6 beginning at the west end ofthe line (right end if facing upslope). Length of each plant speciesthat is intercepted by line is recorded. Multiple readings (interceptobservation) can occur for a single plant if vegetation is broken upwith open areas along the line intercept. Each new 5-meter linesegment is identified as it is encountered. Plant species arerecorded as a 4 letter acronym consisting of first 2 letters of genusand first 2 letters of species epithet. If a duplicate acronymresults for 2 different species, generally the 3rd letter of thespecies epithet is then used. Acronyms used are found in the PlantChecklist for the NSF/LTER Jornada Sites.Data sheets were used to record the data until Week 300. At thistime tape recorders were used to record the field data. This datawas entered and processed using several programs. INPUT.EXE (Fortran)is used to input tape recorded data. This data is then sorted bytransect, station number, plant species, then segment. CONVERT.EXE(Fortran) is used to convert the sorted data to a format that matchesthat entered from data sheets. SRELCHEK.EXE (QuickBasic) error checksdata. (Data must be sorted in the order described above before runningSRELCHEK.) Once any corrections are made, LTERCOVR.EXE (Fortran)summarizes and calculates mean percent cover for each species oneach 30-meter line transect at each station.

Process_Step:

Process_Description: Read Methods description above if applies

Process_Date: Read method descriptions if applicable

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: CONVERT.EXE

Entity_Type_Definition:

Convert data entered using INPUT to same format when entered from data sheet, File Format: BINARY, File Type: Fortran WatIV executable code

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: N/A

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Jornada Basin LTER

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing

Address: NMSU, Wooton Hall, Room 200

City: Las Cruces

State_or_Province: N/A

Postal_Code: 88003

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (505) 646-7918

Contact_Voice_Telephone: N/A

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (505) 646-5889

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: (505) 646-7918

Resource_Description: knb-lter-jrn.2005004.2

Distribution_Liability: distribution liability information is not available

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: Unknown; NOT ASCII

ASCII_File_Structure:

Record_Delimiter: N/A

Number_Header_Lines: N/A

Orientation: columnmajor

Case_Sensitive: N/A

Authentication: N/A

Quote_Character: N/A

Data_Field:

Data_Field_Name:

Field Name data is included as part of the Entity/Attribute element (eainfo).

Data_Field_Width_Delimiter: N/A

Format_Information_Content: See Entity/Attribute element (eainfo)

File_Decompression_Technique: No compression applied

Transfer_Size: N/A

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Offline_Option:

Offline_Media: N/A

Recording_Capacity: N/A

Recording_Format:

Recording_Density: N/A

Recording_Density_Units: N/A

Recording_Format: N/A

Fees: N/A

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: N/A

Metadata_Review_Date: N/A

Metadata_Future_Review_Date: N/A

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Jornada Basin LTER

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing

Address: NMSU, Wooton Hall, Room 200

City: Las Cruces

State_or_Province: N/A

Postal_Code: 88003

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (505) 646-7918

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (505) 646-5889

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: datamanager@jornada.nmsu.edu

Metadata_Standard_Name:

FGDC/NBII Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (from Ecological Metadata Langualge 2.0)

Metadata_Standard_Version: 1999 Version (from Ecological Metadata Langualge 2.0.1)

Metadata_Extensions: