Lizard pitfall trap data (LTER-II, LTER-III) : QuickBasic make file (Used to enter data beginning 03/16/1995.), File Format: ASCII, File Type: Text file

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: Lightfoot, David

Originator: Whitford, Walt

Publication_Date: 2005

Title:

Lizard pitfall trap data (LTER-II, LTER-III) : QuickBasic make file (Used to enter data beginning 03/16/1995.), File Format: ASCII, File Type: Text file

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: Lightfoot, David Address:Sevilleta LTER Albuquerque, NM 87131-1091 Phone:505-277-8949 Email address:dlightfo@unm.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:

Methods and locations. Pitfall trap grids have been installed at three creosotebush sites, three grassland sites, and three mesquite sites, and two tarbush sites. Each grid consists of 4 x 4 rows of traps at 10 meter intervals. Each pitfall trap is 40 cm deep, and lined with tin can cylinders. A polyethylene funnel is set on a container in each trap. Each trap has a ceramic tile cover which is used to close the trap during non-sampling periods. Traps were opened for two consecutive weeks every month for the period 16 June 1989 to 23 August 1991. For the period post-August 1991, traps were opened for two consecutive weeks quarterly (Feb, May, Aug, Oct). During the summer traps are checked every three days, during the winter they are checked once each week. Lizards are removed from the containers and information is recorded on data sheets. Objectives. Desertification is hypothesized to have altered the spatial and temporal availability of resources required by the biota. Results of desertification on the Jornada include changes to shrub dominated communities and major soil changes. We hypothesize that these shifts in vegetation have changed resources temporally for many of the consumers. If grassland systems respond to rainfall without significant lags, but shrub systems do not, then consumer species should reflect these differences. In addition, shifts from grassland to shrubland results in greater structural heterogeneity of the habitats. We have hypothesized that consumer populations, diversity, and densities of some consumers will be higher in grasslands than in shrublands. Diversity and/or densities are hypothesized to be related to the NPP of the sites. Data will be collected for the duration of the LTER program in order to provide data to test these hypotheses.

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: 1989-06-16

Currentness_Reference: as it was at time of compilation

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:

Frequency of Measurement16JUN89 - 23AUG91: 2-week period every monthPost-August 1991: 2-week period quarterly (Feb, May, Aug, Oct)Metadata History LogData set title - Lizard pitfall trap data (LTER-II, LTER-III)Data set file name - LIZRDPIT.DSD----------------------------------------------------------------mm/dd/yyyy - Date of CommentInt - Initials of person making CommentKJL = Kevin J. La FleurJPA = John P. AndersonDCL = David C. LightfootKR = Ken RamseyJL = Jim LenzChanges/Updates - List any changes made to documentmm/dd/yyyy Int Changes/Updates---------- --- -----------------------------------------------02/13/1990 JPA Form completed by investigator12/04/1996 JPA Converted data set document file to new format.03/08/1997 DCL Updated LTER-II setup to LTER-III;establishment of sites and M-NORT and G-SUMM, establishment of separate pitfalltraps for arthropods.09/20/1999 JPA Clarified site description.10/12/2000 KR Updated the attributes measured, treatment ofdata, and data entry files sections to reflectthat data is entered using the QuickBasicprogram and uses tail marking instead of toemarking beginning 03/16/95.11/10/2000 JPA Added protocol file names06/13/2002 JL Added Dataset ID and Project ID sections.07/08/2003 JPA Received cleaned dataset from DCL.07/08/2003 JPA Corrected misalignment of some records in data setand added header information to revised data setreceived from DCL.07/11/2003 JPA Updated lizard species list file name.02/27/2004 KR Changed format for Attributes and AssociatedFiles section.Moved Dataset and Project IDs to top of form.Removed Missing/Questionable data section andincorporated into Attributes section.-------------------------------------------------------------------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: lizards

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: animals

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: consumers

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: populations

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: N/A

Theme_Keyword: pitfall traps

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 not released to the public. Permission must be obtained from dataset creator to access the dataset. Once permission has been obtained, the data can be used by the person or organization that obtained permission to use the dataset 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:

Lightfoot, David

position name:Researcher

Parker, Dara

position name:Researcher

Kuehner, John

position name:Researcher

Whitford, Walt

position name:Researcher

Sandell, Cathie

position name:Researcher

McGlone, Chris

position name:Researcher

Stotz, Nancy

position name:Researcher

Gehlhausen, Sophia

position name:Researcher

Forbes, Greg

position name:Researcher

Campanella, Andrea

position name:Researcher

Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Treatment of DataData was entered from field data sheets using LOTUS 123spreadsheet add-in, D.A.V.E., which is a data entry andverification program, prior to 03/16/1995. Beginning 03/16/2000,data is entered and validated from field data sheets using aQuickBasic v4.5 data entry program.

Lineage:

Methodology:

methodtype: Method Type; field, lab, etc

methoddesc:

----------------------------------------------------------------JORNADA LTER II: Protocol for Lizard PitfallsOVERVIEW.A grid of 16 pitfall traps is located at each consumerplot. Each trap is 40 cm deep and contains an inner plasticcontainer and funnel. A ceramic tile is placed over eachtrap. For a 2-week period each sample period, the tiles areraised on one side, and the traps are checked every 3 days insummer and once a week in winter. Individual lizards aretaken from the traps, identified, sexed, measured, andweighed. Each lizard was clipped with a unique numberusing the codes on the diagram on the field data sheets. Toeclipping was done from 1989 to 1995. Starting in March 1995toe clipping was terminated and lizards were instead markedwith a black sharpie marking pen to provide a temporary mark todetermine recapture status over a particular 2-week trappingperiod. A black mark is made posterior to the cloaca on theventral base of the tail. Trapping grid is a 4x4 with 15 meterinterval between traps.I. INTRODUCTION. In conjunction with net primary productionstudies, consumer and faunal studies are conducted at ornear NPP sites using pitfall traps. We use live traps,not employing ethylene glycol or otherkilling/preservative agents, with traps checked once aweek at the minimum. Sampling-with-replacement is usedwith the lizards but without replacement for thearthropods; thus any released arthropods, when possible,should not be let go in the immediate vicinity of thepitfall grids (Note: separate pitfall traps forarthropods were established in 1995 for LTER-III).Lizard pitfall studies are conducted quarterly overa period of two weeks: in February-March (followingwinter NPP), in May-June (following spring NPP), inAugust, and in October-November (following fall NPP).A. LOCATION: Pitfall grids consist of sixteenstations (four rows of four traps) located at thefollowing ll sites (the old code, no longer used, isgiven in parentheses following each site*): T-WEST(TBA), T-EAST (TBB), M-RABB-A (MDA), M-NORT (formerlyM-RABB-C (MDC), moved to M-NORT in 1995), M-WELL(MDB), G-IBPE-C (GLC), G-SUMM (formerly G-IBPE-A(GLA), moved to G-SUMM in 1995) G-BASN (GLB), C-SAND-B(CBB), C-CALI (CBA), and C-GRAV (CBD). Pitfallsformerly located at MB (mixed basin slope NE ofweather trailer) and C-SAND-C (CBC) have been closed.No pitfalls are directly associated with the followingNPP sites: P-COLL, P-SMAL, P-TOBO (because of floodingpotential), T-TAYL, or G-SUMM. The pitfall for C-SANDis located NW of the NPP site (see site map). Thelocation of each trap is marked by a rebar bearing anumbered aluminum tag.* (old codes may still be found in data books and viallabels)B. CONSTRUCTION: The LTER pitfall traps are walled by twolarge vegetable cans, 6" diameter; size 10 tomato cans(6 lbs, 3 oz, ca. 6 l/2" high) are most common. Theends of the cans are cut out and the cans stacked sothat the top of the upper can is nearly flush with theground. Similar-sized coffee cans may be used; thefunnel (see below) should fit the can with littleexcess space. The collection container is a slightlytapered plastic beverage cup 5 l/2" deep with topdiameter of 4 l/2"; several small (ca. l/16") holesare drilled in the bottom of each cup to facilitatedrainage. A polypropylene funnel with top diameter of5 l/2" is placed in the cup to seal the trap andprevent escapes; the stem and lower funnel are cutoff about 4" below the top, making a lower hole of ca.l l/2- 1 3/4" diameter. The cups are supported onsmall stones or wooden blocks to raise the top of thefunnel nearer the top of the can (it should not beflush); elevation of cups is especially important inpoorly drained sites. When not in use, the traps aresealed by a ceramic tile with dirt packed along sides(see procedure below). Trap numbers (l-16) originallywere stamped on a small aluminum block fastened to arebar next to each pit. Many of these blocks are nowmissing. More recently, sites have been numbered withaluminum tags attached to the rebar. If both theblock and tag are missing, the number can bedetermined by counting from the northeast corner ofthe grid (l-4 north-south, 5-8 next line south-north,etc.). However, some sites, notably BASN, have adifferent numbering scheme so always check adjacenttrap numbers if unsure.A SITE MAP IS INCLUDED WITH THIS PROTOCOLII. PROCEDURE: Traps are usually opened on a Friday; thetiles are excavated and propped open l to 2" at one endusing wooden blocks or stones. Be sure the tile coversthe trap as completely as possible. During spring andsummer, collections are made the Tuesday and Friday theweek after opening and again Tuesday and Friday (close)of the next week. In fall and winter, collections onFridays are sufficient. Take care to look under the cup;both lizards and arthropods (especially scorpions andcrickets) will readily hide there. Any lizards foundare carefully grasped (don't grab tail!) and subjectedto the measurements detailed in section A below. Be sureto use forceps on venemous arthropods. Note specialprocedures for juvenile lizards. Before leaving for thefield, make certain that you have the bag with measuringequipment (below) and a box with labelled cups (w/lids)for the eleven pitfall sites plus an additionalunlabelled cup for each participant. The data bookshould be on a clipboard which has a list of lizardspecies codes and identification information affixed.IMPORTANT: the clipboard should also had an updated listof the identification numbers previously used in toemarking for the period prior to 1995.Equipment for processing lizards includes a metricruler, scales, forceps, plastic bags, black sharpiemarkers, pencils, and a reptile field guide. The scaleis a PESOLA (l00 gram) spring-type; it is expensive soshould be kept out of the dirt. Equipment kept in azippered bag either in FH 117 or 236. The followinginformation is recorded in the Jornada LTER II LizardPitfall data book for each lizard:l. Pit number (see above).2. Species code: Lizard species are recorded using a fourletter code (first two letters of generic andspecies names). Cnemidiphorus tigris is thus CNTI, etc.3. Sex: record an M, F, or J (juvenile) for each lizard.The field guide and clipboard information may assist insexing, which differs in different families.4. Rec.: If individuals have been previously marked witha black5. sharpie marker, record an R (recapture). Record an Nfor unmarked adults.6. Markings. Prior to 1995: Toe mark: For newly capturedadults, toes are clipped according to the numberingsystem shown on each page of the data book. Note thatthe ventral side of the lizard is shown in thediagram. With scissors, clip the first 2 mm or so ofthe required toes. As lizards have only fivetoes, numbers 6-9 are not used in the codes. Uponreaching number "6" one should skip to the nextavailble combination (e.g. HOMA "2046" would skip to2050; UTST "56" would skip to 100. Close attentionshould be given to avoid toe clipping errors. It isalso imperative that accurate and updated records bekept (on provided clipboard sheet) of numbers used; besure this sheet is brought to the field each time.Severe problems have occurred in the past with skippedand duplicated numbers. In general, JUVENILES,especially small ones, should not be toe clipped asthe required handling may injure them. Put a dashacross the "toe mark" space for small juveniles.After 1995: Each new lizard is marked with a backsharpie marker at the ventral base of the tailposterior to the cloaeca.7. S-V: record length (in mm) from snout apex to vent foreach lizard. Exercise great care in handling juvenilesfor any measurements. Estimates might be better for verysmall juveniles; the handling needed to position thelizard for measurement may be injurious. If the juvenileis not too active it can be measured in the cup.8. Total length: record total length in mm from snout to tailtip for each lizard.9. Weight: place lizard in plastic bag and clip bag to thescale. Keeping bag out of wind if possible, note weightin grams (subtract bag weight) and record in data book.Very small to small juveniles can be estimated at l gram.10. Tail: record as whole (W) or broken (B). If tail isbroken and regrown, record as broken and make a note atthe bottom of the page.A SAMPLE LIZARD DATA BOOK PAGE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS PROTOCOLIII. CLOSING PITFALLS: on the last day of collections, closethe pitfalls by lowering the tiles to the groundsurface and covering the pitfall as well as possible, andthen packing soil or sand tightly around the edges andtop of the tile. Soil on top may discourage coyotes andhelp assure tight closure. A shovel or trowel is usefulin closing the traps. Be sure to place a stone atop thetile or it may be difficult to find the trap again.Sloppily closed pitfalls will be deathtraps for anyorganisms getting in, so take time to seal them.IV. GENERAL PROBLEMSl. Poor drainage (or flooding) is a problem inseveral areas, especially tarbush and BASN.If traps and cups are flooded, pour the cuponto a flat surface and try to recover as manyorganisms as possible (note in book any notkept). Using the cup, bail as much water out ofthe trap as possible.2. Broken tiles: this has been a problem at theRABB sites which are open to grazing. Tilesfrom the LTER I transect have been used asreplacements. An extra tile is usually kept withthe pitfall box and a box of tiles hasbeen kept in the annex.3. Broken funnels: plastic funnels eventuallybegin to crack and must be replaced. If brokenfunnels are noticed make a note for immediatereplacement. Some funnels are available in theFH236 lab.4. Natural toe loss in lizards may have affected the toemarking system. If new captures had lost toes(usually only one foot will be affected), attempts weremade to incorporate the digit into the marking scheme.Toe losses in marked recaptures may be told byreference to the marking lists and should benoted in the data book.5. Escapees: large, active lizards are easilycapable of escaping from one's grip andoccasionally from untended traps with the tileoff. Beware of lizards running up your arm asyou attempt to pull them from traps- a quick grabis safer than "slow fishing." If a lizardescapes, note as much information as you canabout it and then write "escaped" across the restof the row.

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: LIZDATA.MAK

Entity_Type_Definition:

QuickBasic make file (Used to enter data beginning 03/16/1995.), File Format: ASCII, File Type: Text file

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.2002038.5

Distribution_Liability: distribution liability information is not available

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

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Number_Header_Lines: N/A

Orientation: columnmajor

Case_Sensitive: N/A

Authentication: N/A

Quote_Character: N/A

Data_Field:

Data_Field_Name:

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Fees: N/A

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 2005

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: