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Accession: MLT-GCED-0811 Research Theme: Multi-Disciplinary Study (Directed Study)
Contributors: Steven C. Pennings, John Schalles, Christine Hladik, Paul Merani, Maria Volkmer, Alana Lynes, Daniel Saucedo, Kazik Wieski, Trey Kenemer, Hongyu Guo
Title: Vegetation and invertebrate communities in 500 plots in the Duplin and Dean Creek watersheds: ground truth data for matching hyperspectral imagery
Abstract: We measured characteristics of vegetation (Aster tenuifolius, Batis maritima, Borrichia frutescens, Distichlis spicata, Iva frutescens, Juncus roemerianus, Limonium carolinianum, Salicornia biglovii, Salicornia virginica, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens, Sporobolus virginicus), soil (salinity, proportion organic and proportion water) and densities of common gastropods and bivalves in 500 plots in the Duplin and Dean Creek watersheds on Sapelo Island on June 20-26, 2006. Plot locations were determined using a high precision hand-held GPS. These data were used to help ground-truth hyperspectral aerial images collected at the same time by Dr. John Schalles.
DOI: 10.6073/pasta/640c9b83f76147c1afec56bf9a0252fc
Key Words: biomass, Crassostrea, Geukensia, Ilyanassa, invertebrates, Littoraria, Melampus, Mercenaria, organic content, permanent plots, remote sensing, salinity, soil water content, species richness
LTER Core Area: Population Studies
Research Themes: GCE2 Q2 - Domain Patterns, GCE3 Area2 - Patterns within the Domain, Multi-Disciplinary Study, Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, Organic Matter/Decomposition, Plant Ecology, Population Ecology, Terrestrial Insect Ecology
Study Period: 20-Jun-2006 to 26-Jun-2006
Study Sites:
GCE6 -- Dean Creek, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA
GCE10 -- Hunt Camp, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA
ML -- Marsh Landing, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA
GCE-DP -- Duplin River, Georgia, USA
KF -- Kenan Field, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA
» Download Geographic Coverage: Google Earth
Species References: Batis maritima, Borrichia frutescens, Crassostrea virginica, Distichlis spicata, Geukensia demissa, Ilyanassa obsoleta, Iva frutescens, Juncus roemerianus, Limonium carolinianum, Littoraria irrorata, Melampus bidentatus, Salicornia bigelovii, Salicornia virginica, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens, Sporobolus virginicus, Symphyotrichum tenuifolium
Project References: Intertidal zonation, Terrestrial invertebrate monitoring
Publications:

Zhang, C., Mishra, D. and Pennings, S.C. 2019. Mapping salt marsh soil properties using imaging spectroscopy. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 148:221-234. (DOI: 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2019.01.006)
Downloads: Information

Data Table: MLT-GCED-0811 (Main data table for data set MLT-GCED-0811, 500 records)

Access: Public (released 21-Nov-2009)

Metadata: Text (ESA FLED), XML (Ecological Metadata Language)

Data Formats: Spreadsheet (CSV) [171.39kb],  Text File [136.05kb],  MATLAB (GCE Toolbox) [487.24kb],  MATLAB (Variables) [468.29kb],  Text Report [192.75kb]

Column List:(hide)

Column Name Units Type Description
1 Transect_Name none string Name of the transect
2 Transect_Number none integer Number of the transect
3 Date yyyy-mm-dd string Calendar date of observation (note that some mollusc density samples were collected up to 3 weeks after this date)
4 Plot_ID none string Identifier name of the plot in the transect (plot number with optional letter subscript)
5 Latitude degrees floating-point Geographic coordinate
6 Longitude degrees floating-point Geographic coordinate
7 Habitat_Classification none string Dominant habitat in 1x1m plot. Mixtures are indicated with a "/" between species and ordered based on dominance (the most dominant are listed first)
8 Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​1 m floating-point Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot
9 Flag_​Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​1 none string QA/QC flags for Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot (flagging criteria, where "x" is Vegetation_Height_Corner_1: x<0="I", x>4="Q")
10 Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​2 m floating-point Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot
11 Flag_​Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​2 none string QA/QC flags for Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot (flagging criteria, where "x" is Vegetation_Height_Corner_2: x<0="I", x>4="Q")
12 Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​3 m floating-point Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot
13 Flag_​Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​3 none string QA/QC flags for Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot (flagging criteria, where "x" is Vegetation_Height_Corner_3: x<0="I", x>4="Q")
14 Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​4 m floating-point Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot
15 Flag_​Vegetation_​Height_​Corner_​4 none string QA/QC flags for Height of vegetation at one corner of the 1x1m plot (flagging criteria, where "x" is Vegetation_Height_Corner_4: x<0="I", x>4="Q")
16 Vegetation_Height_Average m floating-point Average height of vegetation at all corners of the 1x1m plot
17 Flag_​Vegetation_​Height_​Average none string QA/QC flags for Average height of vegetation at all corners of the 1x1m plot (flagging criteria, where "x" is Vegetation_Height_Average: x<0="I", x>4="Q")
18 Chlorophyll_​Index_​Spartina_​alterniflora none floating-point Relative chlorophyll index measurement taken of Spartina alterniflora leaves (if present in the 1x1m plot)
19 Flag_​Chlorophyll_​Index_​Spartina_​alterniflora none string QA/QC flags for Relative chlorophyll index measurement taken of Spartina alterniflora leaves (if present in the 1x1m plot) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Chlorophyll_Index_Spartina_alterniflora: x<0="I")
20 Presence_​Borrichia_​frutescens none integer Presence/Absence of Borrichia frutescens in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
21 Presence_​Juncus_​roemerianus none integer Presence/Absence of Juncus roemerianus in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
22 Presence_​Salicornia_​virginica none integer Presence/Absence of Salicornia virginica in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
23 Presence_​Spartina_​alterniflora none integer Presence/Absence of Spartina alterniflora in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
24 Presence_Batis_maritima none integer Presence/Absence of Batis maritima in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
25 Presence_​Aster_​tenuifolius none integer Presence/Absence of Aster tenuifolius in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
26 Presence_​Limonium_​carolinianum none integer Presence/Absence Limonium carolinianum in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
27 Presence_Spartina_patens none integer Presence/Absence of Spartina patens in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
28 Presence_​Salicornia_​biglovii none integer Presence/Absence of Salicornia biglovii in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
29 Presence_​Sporobolus_​virginicus none integer Presence/Absence of Sporobolus virginicus in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
30 Presence_​Distichlis_​spicata none integer Presence/Absence of Distichlis spicata in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
31 Presence_Iva_frutescens none integer Presence/Absence of Iva frutescens in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
32 Presence_​Dicot_​unidentified none integer Presence/Absence of unidentified dicot species in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
33 Presence_​Monocot_​unidentified none integer Presence/Absence of unidentified monocot (grass) species in the 1x1m plot: if species present = 1, if absent = 0
34 Presence_Vine none integer Presence/Absence of unidentified vines in the 1x1m plot: if present = 1, if absent = 0
35 Plant_Species_Richness count integer Total number of species present in the 1x1m plot
36 Flag_​Plant_​Species_​Richness none string QA/QC flags for Total number of species present in the 1x1m plot (flagging criteria, where "x" is Plant_Species_Richness: x<0="I", x>10="I")
37 Mass_Borrichia_frutescens g floating-point Above ground biomass of Borrichia frutescens in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
38 Flag_​Mass_​Borrichia_​frutescens none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Borrichia frutescens in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Borrichia_frutescens: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
39 Mass_​Juncus_​roemerianus_​Live g floating-point Above ground biomass of live Juncus roemerianus in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
40 Flag_​Mass_​Juncus_​roemerianus_​Live none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of live Juncus roemerianus in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Juncus_roemerianus_Live: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
41 Mass_​Juncus_​roemerianus_​Dead g floating-point Above ground biomass of Juncus roemerianus in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
42 Flag_​Mass_​Juncus_​roemerianus_​Dead none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Juncus roemerianus in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Juncus_roemerianus_Dead: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
43 Mass_Salicornia_virginica g floating-point Above ground biomass of Salicornia virginica in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
44 Flag_​Mass_​Salicornia_​virginica none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Salicornia virginica in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Salicornia_virginica: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
45 Mass_​Spartina_​alterniflora_​Live g floating-point Above ground biomass of live Spartina alterniflora in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
46 Flag_​Mass_​Spartina_​alterniflora_​Live none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of live Spartina alterniflora in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Spartina_alterniflora_Live: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
47 Mass_​Spartina_​alterniflora_​Dead g floating-point Above ground biomass of dead Spartina alterniflora in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
48 Flag_​Mass_​Spartina_​alterniflora_​Dead none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of dead Spartina alterniflora in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Spartina_alterniflora_Dead: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
49 Mass_Batis_maritima g floating-point Above ground biomass of Batis maritima in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
50 Flag_Mass_Batis_maritima none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Batis maritima in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Batis_maritima: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
51 Mass_Aster_tenuifolius g floating-point Above ground biomass of Aster tenuifolius in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
52 Flag_​Mass_​Aster_​tenuifolius none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Aster tenuifolius in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Aster_tenuifolius: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
53 Mass_​Limonium_​carolinianum g floating-point Above ground biomass of Limonium carolinianum in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
54 Flag_​Mass_​Limonium_​carolinianum none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Limonium carolinianum in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Limonium_carolinianum: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
55 Mass_Spartina_patens g floating-point Above ground biomass of Spartina patens in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
56 Flag_Mass_Spartina_patens none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Spartina patens in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Spartina_patens: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
57 Mass_Salicornia_biglovii g floating-point Above ground biomass of Salicornia biglovii in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
58 Flag_​Mass_​Salicornia_​biglovii none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Salicornia biglovii in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Salicornia_biglovii: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
59 Mass_​Sporobolus_​virginicus g floating-point Above ground biomass of Sporobolus virginicus in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
60 Flag_​Mass_​Sporobolus_​virginicus none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Sporobolus virginicus in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Sporobolus_virginicus: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
61 Mass_Distichlis_spicata g floating-point Above ground biomass of Distichlis spicata in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
62 Flag_​Mass_​Distichlis_​spicata none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Distichlis spicata in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Distichlis_spicata: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
63 Mass_Iva_frutescens g floating-point Above ground biomass of Iva frutescens in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
64 Flag_Mass_Iva_frutescens none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of Iva frutescens in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Iva_frutescens: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
65 Mass_Dicot g floating-point Above ground biomass of all dicot plants in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
66 Flag_Mass_Dicot none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of all dicot plants in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Dicot: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
67 Mass_Total_Plant g floating-point Above ground biomass of all plants in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass)
68 Flag_Mass_Total_Plant none string QA/QC flags for Above ground biomass of all plants in the .25x.25m plot (dried to constant mass) (flagging criteria, where "x" is Mass_Total_Plant: x<0="I", x>999="Q")
69 Soil_Water_Percent % floating-point Percent water content of 10-cm deep soil core
70 Flag_Soil_Water_Percent none string QA/QC flags for Percent water content of 10-cm deep soil core (flagging criteria, where "x" is Soil_Water_Percent: x<0="I", x>100="I")
71 Salinity_Soil PSU floating-point Salinity of pore water in 10-cm deep soil core
72 Flag_Salinity_Soil none string QA/QC flags for Salinity of pore water in 10-cm deep soil core (flagging criteria, where "x" is Salinity_Soil: x<0="I", x>500="Q")
73 Soil_Organic_Percent % floating-point Percent organic content of 10-cm deep soil core
74 Flag_Soil_Organic_Percent none string QA/QC flags for Percent organic content of 10-cm deep soil core (flagging criteria, where "x" is Soil_Organic_Percent: x<1="I", x>100="I")
75 Density_Littoraria count integer Number of Littoraria individuals present in 1x1m quadrat
76 Flag_Density_Littoraria none string QA/QC flags for Number of Littoraria individuals present in 1x1m quadrat (flagging criteria, where "x" is Density_Littoraria: x<0="I", x>999="Q")
77 Density_Melampus count integer Number of Melampus individuals present in 1x1m quadrat
78 Flag_Density_Melampus none string QA/QC flags for Number of Melampus individuals present in 1x1m quadrat (flagging criteria, where "x" is Density_Melampus: x<0="I", x>999="Q")
79 Density_Ilyanassa count integer Number of Ilyanassa individuals present in 1x1m quadrat
80 Flag_Density_Ilyanassa none string QA/QC flags for Number of Ilyanassa individuals present in 1x1m quadrat (flagging criteria, where "x" is Density_Ilyanassa: x<0="I", x>1500="Q")
81 Density_Geukensia count integer Number of Geukensia individuals present in 1x1m quadrat
82 Flag_Density_Geukensia none string QA/QC flags for Number of Geukensia individuals present in 1x1m quadrat (flagging criteria, where "x" is Density_Geukensia: x<0="I", x>999="Q")
83 Density_Mercenaria count integer Number of Mercenaria individuals present in 1x1m quadrat
84 Flag_Density_Mercenaria none string QA/QC flags for Number of Mercenaria individuals present in 1x1m quadrat (flagging criteria, where "x" is Density_Mercenaria: x<0="I", x>999="Q")
85 Fraction_Crassostrea none floating-point Fractional cover of Crassostrea (oysters), based on visual estimation to the nearest 10%
86 Flag_Fraction_Crassostrea none string QA/QC flags for Fractional cover of Crassostrea (oysters), based on visual estimation to the nearest 10% (flagging criteria, where "x" is Fraction_Crassostrea: x<0="I", x>1="I")
Statistics: Generate script code to retrieve data tables for analysis in: MATLAB, R, SAS, SPSS
Citation: Pennings, Steven C. 2008. Vegetation and invertebrate communities in 500 plots in the Duplin and Dean Creek watersheds: ground truth data for matching hyperspectral imagery. Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project, University of Georgia, Long Term Ecological Research Network. http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/640c9b83f76147c1afec56bf9a0252fc

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grants OCE-9982133, OCE-0620959, OCE-1237140 and OCE-1832178. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.