I. Data Set Descriptors A. Title: Steven C. Pennings. 2013. Mollusc population size distribution monitoring: Fall 2012 mid-marsh and creekbank infaunal and epifaunal mollusc size distributions based on collections from GCE marsh monitoring sites 1-10. Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Data Catalog (data set INV-GCEM-1309; http://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/public/app/dataset_details.asp?accession=INV-GCEM-1309) B. Accession Number: INV-GCEM-1309 C. Description 1. Originator(s): Name: Steven C. Pennings Address: Department of Biology and Biochemistry University of Houston Houston, Texas 77204-5513 Country: USA Email: scpennin@central.uh.edu 2. Abstract: This data set is the Fall 2012 report of infaunal and epifaunal mollusk species size distributions at the GCE-LTER marsh sites used for population monitoring. Infaunal and epifaunal molluscs were hand-collected from within quadrats of known area from mid-marsh and creekbank zones (n = 4 quadrats per zone) at all sites. The molluscs were returned to the lab, preserved in ethanol, measured and counted (count data is reported separately). Length of each measurable individual was determined using calipers or an ocular micrometer mounted in a stereomicroscope. Species abundance and density data for these collections may be found in the GCE-LTER data set INV-GCEM-1302. Numbers of individuals of each species in the abundance data file may not correspond exactly to the numbers of individuals in the size data file because some individuals may not have been measureable. 3. Study Type: Monitoring 4. Study Themes: Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology 5. LTER Core Areas: Populations 6. Georeferences: geographic coordinates as data columns 7. Submission Date: Sep 20, 2013 D. Keywords: Animalia, Archaeopulmonata, Bilateria, Bivalvia, Corbiculidae, Corbiculoidea, creek bank, Detracia, Detracia floridana, Ellobiidae, epifauna, fall, Gastropoda, GCE, Georgia, Georgia Coastal Ecosystems, Geukensia, Geukensia demissa, Heterodonta, Hydrobiidae, infauna, intertidal, length, Littoraria, Littoraria irrorata, Littorinidae, Lophozoa, LTER, marshes, Melampus, Melampus bidentatus, mid-marsh, Mollusca, mollusks, monitoring, Mytilidae, Mytiloida, Nassariidae, Nassarius obsoletus, Neogastropoda, Neotaenioglossa, Polymesoda, Polymesoda caroliniana, Populations, Prosobranchia, Protostomia, Pteriomorphia, Sapelo Island, size distribution, species diversity, Stylommatophora, Succineidae, USA, vegetation, Veneroida II. Research Origin Descriptors A. Overall Project Description 1. Project Title: Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project II 2. Principal Investigators: Name: Merryl Alber Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: malber@uga.edu 3. Funding Period: May 01, 2006 to Jan 01, 2013 4. Objectives: To understand the mechanisms by which variation in the quality, source and amount of both fresh and salt water create temporal and spatial variability in estuarine habitats and processes, in order to predict directional changes that will occur in response to long-term shifts in estuarine salinity patterns 5. Abstract: The Georgia Coastal Ecosystems (GCE) LTER program, located on the central Georgia coast, was established in 2000. The study domain encompasses three adjacent sounds (Altamaha, Doboy, Sapelo) and includes upland (mainland, barrier islands, marsh hammocks), intertidal (fresh, brackish and salt marsh) and submerged (river, estuary, continental shelf) habitats. Patterns and processes in this complex landscape vary spatially within and between sites, and temporally on multiple scales (tidal, diurnal, seasonal, and interannual). Overlain on this spatial and temporal variation are long-term trends caused by climate change, sea level rise, and human alterations of the landscape. These long-term trends are likely to manifest in many ways, including changes in water quality, river discharge, runoff and tidal inundation patterns throughout the estuarine landscape. The overarching goal of the GCE program is to understand the mechanisms by which variation in the quality, source and amount of both fresh and salt water create temporal and spatial variability in estuarine habitats and processes, in order to predict directional changes that will occur in response to long-term shifts in estuarine salinity patterns. The objectives of the current funding cycle are 1) to continue to document long-term patterns of environmental forcing to the coastal zone, 2) to link environmental forcing to observed spatial and temporal patterns of biogeochemical processes, primary production, community dynamics, decomposition and disturbance, 3) to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which environmental gradients along the longitudinal (freshwater-saltwater) and 4) lateral (upland-subtidal) axes of estuaries drive ecosystem change, and 5) to explore the relative importance of larval transport and the conditions of the adult environment in determining community and genetic structure across both the longitudinal and vertical gradients of the estuary. To meet these objectives, we utilize a suite of approaches including long-term monitoring of abiotic drivers and ecosystem responses; manipulative and natural experiments designed to enable us to examine the importance of key ecosystem drivers; and modeling. 6. Funding Source: NSF OCE 0620959 B. Sub-project Description 1. Site Description a. Geographic Location: GCE1 -- Eulonia, Georgia, USA GCE2 -- Four Mile Island, Georgia, USA GCE3 -- North Sapelo, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA GCE4 -- Meridian, Georgia, USA GCE5 -- Folly River, Georgia, USA GCE6 -- Dean Creek, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA GCE7 -- Carrs Island, Georgia, USA GCE8 -- Alligator Creek, Georgia, USA GCE9 -- Rockdedundy Island, Georgia, USA GCE10 -- Hunt Camp, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA Coordinates: GCE1 -- NW: 081 25 42.53 W, 31 32 48.30 N NE: 081 24 38.64 W, 31 32 48.30 N SE: 081 24 38.64 W, 31 32 02.27 N SW: 081 25 42.53 W, 31 32 02.27 N GCE2 -- NW: 081 19 08.26 W, 31 33 09.19 N NE: 081 17 34.24 W, 31 33 09.19 N SE: 081 17 34.24 W, 31 32 00.97 N SW: 081 19 08.26 W, 31 32 00.97 N GCE3 -- NW: 081 13 59.70 W, 31 32 48.72 N NE: 081 11 44.38 W, 31 32 48.72 N SE: 081 11 44.38 W, 31 30 54.68 N SW: 081 13 59.70 W, 31 30 54.68 N GCE4 -- NW: 081 22 14.71 W, 31 27 48.72 N NE: 081 21 26.12 W, 31 27 48.72 N SE: 081 21 26.12 W, 31 26 54.31 N SW: 081 22 14.71 W, 31 26 54.31 N GCE5 -- NW: 081 21 15.89 W, 31 26 33.14 N NE: 081 19 37.92 W, 31 26 33.14 N SE: 081 19 37.92 W, 31 25 03.50 N SW: 081 21 15.89 W, 31 25 03.50 N GCE6 -- NW: 081 17 58.28 W, 31 23 38.66 N NE: 081 15 51.76 W, 31 23 38.66 N SE: 081 15 51.76 W, 31 22 15.61 N SW: 081 17 58.28 W, 31 22 15.61 N GCE7 -- NW: 081 29 36.59 W, 31 20 55.59 N NE: 081 28 33.24 W, 31 20 55.59 N SE: 081 28 33.24 W, 31 20 03.71 N SW: 081 29 36.59 W, 31 20 03.71 N GCE8 -- NW: 081 25 34.58 W, 31 19 04.11 N NE: 081 24 38.28 W, 31 19 04.11 N SE: 081 24 38.28 W, 31 18 14.63 N SW: 081 25 34.58 W, 31 18 14.63 N GCE9 -- NW: 081 20 48.23 W, 31 21 29.31 N NE: 081 19 35.38 W, 31 21 29.31 N SE: 081 19 35.38 W, 31 20 21.02 N SW: 081 20 48.23 W, 31 20 21.02 N GCE10 -- NW: 081 17 43.82 W, 31 29 49.29 N NE: 081 15 32.07 W, 31 29 49.29 N SE: 081 15 32.07 W, 31 27 44.35 N SW: 081 17 43.82 W, 31 27 44.35 N b. Physiographic Region: GCE1 -- Lower coastal plain GCE2 -- Barrier island GCE3 -- Barrier island GCE4 -- Lower coastal plain GCE5 -- Barrier island GCE6 -- Barrier island GCE7 -- Lower coastal plain GCE8 -- Lower coastal plain GCE9 -- Barrier island GCE10 -- Barrier island c. Landform Components: GCE1 -- Intertidal salt marsh bordering maritime forest GCE2 -- Intertidal salt marsh GCE3 -- Intertidal salt marsh, mud flat, and maritime forest GCE4 -- Intertidal salt marsh bordering maritime forest GCE5 -- Intertidal salt marsh GCE6 -- Intertidal salt marsh, sand beach, maritime forest GCE7 -- Freshwater tidal marsh, devegetated fields GCE8 -- Brackish tidal marsh GCE9 -- Intertidal salt marsh GCE10 -- Intertidal salt marsh bordering maritime forest d. Hydrographic Characteristics: GCE1 -- Site contains the upper reaches of the Sapelo River, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE2 -- Site contains the Sapelo River and associated tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE3 -- Site includes Sapelo Sound and portions of Blackbeard Creek, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE4 -- Site includes Hudson Creek and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE5 -- Site contains the Folly River and borders Doboy Sound, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE6 -- Site contains Dean Creek and borders Doboy Sound, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE7 -- Site contains Hammersmith Creek and borders the South Champney River, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE8 -- Site contains the Altamaha River, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE9 -- Site contains Crooked Creek and borders the Little Mud River, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides GCE10 -- Site borders the Mud River and contains tidal creeks and the upper reach of the Duplin River, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides e. Topographic Attributes: GCE1 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE2 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE3 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE4 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE5 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE6 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE7 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE8 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE9 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide GCE10 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide f. Geology, Lithology and Soils: GCE1 -- unspecified GCE2 -- unspecified GCE3 -- unspecified GCE4 -- unspecified GCE5 -- unspecified GCE6 -- unspecified GCE7 -- unspecified GCE8 -- unspecified GCE9 -- unspecified GCE10 -- unspecified g. Vegetation Communities: GCE1 -- Vegetation is 3/4 Juncus and 1/4 Spartina alterniflora, and upland area is heavily forested. GCE2 -- Spartina alterniflora all tall or medium. GCE3 -- Short and tall Spartina alterniflora, very small amounts of Juncus. GCE4 -- Vegetation is 1/4 Juncus, 3/4 medium and tall Spartina alterniflora. GCE5 -- Dominated by short and medium Spartina alterniflora, with areas of taller S. alterniflora near several small creeks. GCE6 -- Vegetation is mostly short and tall Spartina alterniflora, with small amounts of Juncus and Borrichia. GCE7 -- dominated by Zizaniopsis GCE8 -- Fringe of tall Spartina alterniflora and S. cynosuroides at creek banks. High marsh has narrow band of medium height S. alterniflora backed by vast expanses of Juncus. GCE9 -- Low marsh is tall Spartina alterniflora, high marsh has a small amount of medium Spartina alterniflora and lots of Juncus. Some hammocks with upland vegetation. GCE10 -- Vegetation mostly tall and medium Spartina alterniflora, with some Juncus present. Upland heavily forested. h. History of Land Use and Disturbance: GCE1 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 16, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C4, C5, C6, C7, C8. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C5, C6, C8. No disturbance by animal activity was observed and no plots were replaced. Oct 18, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C5, C6, C7 and C8. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 25, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C7, C8. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C5, C6. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C18. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 16, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C2, C16. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 22, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C3, C15. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C17, C18, C25. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C18. No plots were replaced. Oct 27, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C25, C26. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C17, C18, C36. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 16, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 19, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C4, C17, C18, C36. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C4, C12, C18, C36. No plots were disturbed by wildlife and none were lost and replaced. Oct 25, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C36 (now C46), C17 (now C27), C18 (now C28). GCE2 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 18, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C4, C5, C6. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2, C6. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack disturbance: C1 (replaced with C11). No disturbance by animal activity was observed. Oct 19, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 22, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C4, C6, C8. No disturbance by wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2, C4. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, no plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, and no plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C12, C4, C6. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C2. The following plots were lost for unknown reasons: C8. No plots were disturbed by wildlife, and no plots were replaced. Oct 23, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C4, C12, C13, C18. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C6, C7, C11, C22, C23. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C18. No plots were replaced. Oct 28, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C22, C28. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: none. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 15, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 19, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C5, C7, C38. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack disturbance: C14, C23 (replaced with C24 and C33, resp.). No plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife. Oct 25, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C7. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C11 (now C21), C38 (now C48) GCE3 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 20, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C4, C5, C6, C7, C8. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M2, M5, M6, M7, M8 (snails). The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C8. No plots were replaced. Oct 19, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C3, C4. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M5, M6. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C8. No plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack inundation, and not plots were replaced. Oct 24, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M5, M7. No plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack inundation, and not plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, no plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, and no plots were replaced. Oct 15, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 (plot C3 has no shoots). The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C6. No plots were disturbed by wildlife, and no plots were replaced. Oct 24, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C1, C2, C3, C4. No plots were lost and none were replaced. Oct 26, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: none. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C2, C3. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): M5. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 20, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 27, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed and none were replaced. GCE4 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 18, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C4. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M6, M8 (snails). No plots were disturbed by creekbank erosion or replaced. Oct 18, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C5, C8. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity were observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 25, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C4. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C6. No plots were distrurbed by wildlife and no plots were lost or replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C6. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity was observed, no plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, and no plots were replaced. Oct 16, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C2, C3, C16. No plots were lost or disturbed by wildlife, and none were replaced. Oct 22, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C5, C7, C16. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C15, C26, M1, M3. No plots were replaced. Oct 27, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C2. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: none. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): M3 (no shoots). The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 16, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife: M3 (snails). No plots were disturbed by wrack or were on creekbank areas that are collapsing, and no plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance or catastrophic wildlife activity: C26 (replaced with C36). No plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife or are on creekbank areas that are collapsing. Oct 25, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C3, C15. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C36 (now C46). GCE5 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 15, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C6, C7. No disturbance by wrack inundation or animal activity was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 18, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C7. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity were observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 23, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C7. No disturbance by wrack or wildlife activity were observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C7, C8. No plots were distrurbed by wildlife, none were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 17, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C2. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C6. No plots were disturbed by wildlife and none were replaced. Oct 21, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C2, C4, C5, M2. No plots were lost and none were replaced. Oct 28, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: none. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C3, C5. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 15, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C3. No plots were disturbed by wildlife and no plots were lost and replaced. Oct 19, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C5. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C3 (replaced with C13). No plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife. Oct 25, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on sections of creek bank that are collapsing: C5. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C3 (now C13). GCE6 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to catastrophic disturbance and replaced with new plots as indicated: zone 1, plot 3 (not replaced). Oct 19, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C1. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M6, M7, M8 (snails). The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C4, C5. No plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M8. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C5. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack inundation and were replaced: C2, C4 (replaced with C12, C14). Oct 22, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C12, C23, C5, C6, C8. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M8. No plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C5, C12. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife: M8. No plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 15, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C23, C6, C7 (C1, C23 have no plants). The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M8. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C12, C14, C5. No plots were lost and none were replaced. Oct 23, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C5, C14, C22. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C15, C16, C23, M8. No plots were replaced. Oct 26, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C24. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C22. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): M8 (no shoots). The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C22, C23. No plots were replaced. Oct 16, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C22, C23. No other plots were disturbed by wildlife or wrack, and none were replaced. Oct 20, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C6. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C32 (replaced with C42). No plots were disturbed by wildlife or are on creekbank areas that are collapsing. Oct 25, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are located on sections of creek bank that are collapsing: C6, C33. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C15 (now C25). GCE7 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No evidence of plot disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 23, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No evidence of plot disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were distrurbed by wildlife, none were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 14, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C7. No plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife, and none were replaced. Oct 20, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were lost or disturbed by wrack or wildlife, and none were replaced. Oct 25, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: none. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: none. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 14, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 18, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 24, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C2 (now C12). GCE8 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to catastrophic disturbance and replaced with new plots as indicated: zone 1 plots 5, 6, 7, 8 (added new plots 15, 16, 17, 18). New plots were not in exactly the same locations as lost plots, and so have new numbers. Oct 17, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C4. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M2, M3, M4, M7 (pigs). No disturbance due to creekbank collapse was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M2, M4. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2. No disturbance by wrack was observed, but plot M8 was merging with the path and was relocated as M18. Oct 23, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M2. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: M3. No plots were replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2, C16. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife: M1, M4. No plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 14, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C1, C4, C15, C16, C17, C18. The following plots had no live shoots due to seasonal senescence: M2. No plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife, and none were replaced. Oct 20, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost for unknown reasons: C2, C11. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: M1, M2, M7, M13. No plots were replaced. Oct 25, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: none. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C26, M4. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 14, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife: M1, M2 (pigs). No plots were disturbed by wrack or were on creekbank areas that are collapsing, and no plots were lost or replaced. Oct 18, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C26. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): M1, M2, M13 (pigs). The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C12, C14. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C27, C28 (replaced with C37, C38 resp.). Oct 24, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots are on sections of creek bank that are collapsing: C25. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife and may have no shoots: M2, M13, M18. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: M1 (now M11). GCE9 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to catastrophic disturbance and replaced with new plots as indicated: zone 1, plot 4 (added new plot 14). New plots were not in exactly the same locations as lost plots, and so have new numbers. Oct 17, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C5, C6, C8. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C1, C6. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack disturbance: C3 (replaced with C13). No disturbance by wildlife activity was observed. Oct 18, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C1, C2, C6, C13. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C1, C2, C6. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion or catastrophic wrack inundation and were replaced: C5, C7, C8 (replaced with C15, C17, C18). No disturbance by wildlife activity was observed. Oct 23, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C13, C14, C6. No disturbance by wildlife activity was observed, and no plots were lost or replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C2, C18. No plots were distrurbed by wildlife, none were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 14, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C14. No plots were disturbed by wildlife or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 21, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C1, C2, C13. No plots were lost and none were replaced. Oct 25, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: none. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C1, C2. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C1, C13, C16. No plots were replaced. Oct 15, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C1, C13. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C16. No plots were otherwise disturbed by wildlife or are on creekbank areas that are collapsing and none were replaced. Oct 21, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C16. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C16, C23. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: C2, C11, C14 (replaced with C12, C21 and C24, resp.). No plots were disturbed by wildlife. Oct 24, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C24. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity and were replaced: C16 (now C26), C23 (now C32). GCE10 -- Oct 01, 2000: Permanent plots were established in two nominal marsh zones based on marsh structure -- creek zone and high marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes Oct 01, 2001: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No significant disturbance was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 20, 2002: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M5 (snails). No disturbance by creekbank erosion or collapse was observed, and no plots were replaced. Oct 19, 2003: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack (some have no shoots): C3, M1. The following plots were disturbed by wildlife (some have no shoots): M5. The following creekbank plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C2. No plots were replaced. Oct 22, 2004: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C7. No disturbance by wildlife was observed, and no plots were lost or replaced. Oct 21, 2005: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were distrurbed by wildlife, none were lost due to creekbank erosion, and none were replaced. Oct 15, 2006: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. Note that a new zone (zone 3) was added at site GCE10 in 2005. This is a juncus zone in the high marsh. Oct 24, 2007: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack or wildlife activity: C1, C2, C3, C4, C8, M1, M2. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: C13. No plots were lost and none were replaced. Oct 26, 2008: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were lost due to creekbank erosion, catastrophic wrack disturbance, or catastrophic wildlife activity: none. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: none. The following plots were distrurbed by wildlife (some may have no shoots): none. The following plots are on creekbank areas that are collapsing: none. No plots were replaced. Oct 17, 2009: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. The following plots were disturbed by wrack: C3. No plots were disturbed by wildlife, and none are on creekbank areas that are collapsing or were replaced. Oct 20, 2010: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed or lost, and none were replaced. Oct 26, 2011: Plots were examined for signs of disturbance by wrack inundation, animal activity, and creek bank erosion. No plots were disturbed and none were replaced. i. Climate: Climate summary for Sapelo Island, Georgia, based on NWS data from 1980-2010: Daily-aggregated Values: Mean (sample standard deviation) mean air temperature: 20.09°C (7.28°C) minimum air temperature: 15.02°C (7.96°C) maximum air temperature: 24.82°C (6.98°C) total precipitation: 3.26mm (10.3mm) Yearly-aggregated Daily Values: Mean (sample standard deviation) total precipitation (1980-2010): 1124mm (266mm) 2. Experimental or Sampling Design a. Design Characteristics: This study represents a regular component of the population monitoring program of the GCE-LTER. It was designed to document size distributions of common infaunal and epifaunal mollusc species and track their changes over space and time at each of the ten intertidal, marsh monitoring sites within the GCE-LTER domain. All molluscs within randomly placed, small quadrats at four plots in the mid and creekbank marshes at each of the permanent monitoring sites were collected by hand. This design resulted in four replicate samples per zone (n = 4) at each site (n = 8 per site). Collections were made by different teams of trained individuals (staff and volunteers). Molluscs were returned to the lab, preserved and each individual was measured to the nearest 0.1mm. b. Permanent Plots: Samples were taken within 3 meters of the GCE permanent monitoring plots, which were established in the marsh areas at each GCE sampling site in October, 2000. Each site was divided into two nominal zones -- creekbank and mid-marsh -- and eight plots were randomly located in each zone and marked with stakes. c. Data Collection Duration and Frequency: For each sample, an area of marsh was selected that was similar in gross appearance and near to (within 3 m of) a GCE permanent monitoring plot. The permanent plots were not used so as to avoid damaging the plants within them. Permanent plots 1, 3, 6, and 8 in each zone were chosen to be the anchor plots for selecting actual sample areas. When wrack or other disturbances necessitated the use of alternate plots, these are indicated in the data set and noted as anomalies. Beginning of Observations: Oct 01, 2012 End of Observations: Oct 11, 2012 3. Research Methods a. Field and Laboratory Methods: Method 1: Mollusc Collection -- A quadrat device, constructed of treated, 1" X 3/4" slats, drilled and joined with bolts and wing nuts, was designed to enclose selectable areas of 0.0625, 0.25 or 0.5 m^2. The quadrat size used for each sample may have varied between plots, zones, and sites and was dependent on apparent density of molluscs (particularly Littoraria) in the immediate area. In high density areas, smaller quadrats were used and vice versa. Quadrat selection was guided by the need to balance accuracy of abundance estimates, prevention of excessive removal of fauna and ensurance that field sampling was kept to a reasonable amount of time. The quadrat was placed around the bases of the plants in the selected sampling area. Snails were collected first, from the standing plants. Collection started at the tops of the plants and proceeded downward to the marsh surface. Particular attention was given to enrolled, scenescing leaves, when present, as new recruits and smaller species were often concentrated there. After the plants had been inspected, the marsh surface was examined for snails and signs of infaunal bivalves. After all epifaunal molluscs were removed, the infaunal bivalves were dug from the sediment. This often required feeling (centimeter by centimeter) along the marsh surface and probing down inside crab holes to make sure all individuals were collected. All molluscs were placed in pre-labeled plastic bags and transported back to the lab. The molluscs were washed free of sediment over a sieve (< 500 micron-mesh) and preserved in 70% ethanol. Missing values were recorded on data sheets when observations could not be made due to problems locating plots, loss of plots (creek bank erosion, trampling), logistical problems accessing plots, tidal inundation or other factors. Method 2: Size Determination -- Species were identified to the lowest practicable taxonomic unit and the length of each individual that was measurable was determined to the nearest 0.1mm using (dial or vernier) calipers or an ocular micrometer mounted in a stereomicroscope. The Condition column in the data set indicates that an individual was undamaged (0) or suffered shell damage (1) that may have affected the accuracy of its measurement. Best efforts to measure these specimens accurately were made but, the user may wish to discard these individuals before data analysis. b. Instrumentation: Method 1: none Method 2: Calipers Manufacturer: Fisher Scientific (Model: ISO 17025) Parameter: Length (Accuracy: 0.1mm, Readability: Metric, Range: 0.0mm -) Fiber Optic Light Manufacturer: Fostec (Model: DDL) Miniscalse Ruler Manufacturer: Bioquip (Model: Metric) Parameter: Length (Accuracy: 0.1mm, Readability: Metric, Range: 0.0mm -) Stereomicroscope Manufacturer: Leica (Model: MZ 7.5) c. Taxonomy and Systematics: Method 1: Participants were trained to recognize mollusc species in the field by D. Bishop. Final species identifications were made (under the supervision of D. Bishop) when specimens were sorted and measured in the lab. Most species were common and easily recognizable. Useful references for marsh species and molluscs in general are: 1) Heard, R.W. 1982. Guide to Common Tidal Marsh Invertebrates of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, MASGP-79-004. 82 pp. and 2) Abbott, R.T. 1974. American Seashells. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, Second Edition. 663 pp. Method 2: Participants were trained to recognize mollusc species in the field by D. Bishop. Final species identifications were made (under the supervision of D. Bishop) when specimens were sorted and measured in the lab. Most species were common and easily recognizable. Useful references for marsh species and molluscs in general are: 1) Heard, R.W. 1982. Guide to Common Tidal Marsh Invertebrates of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, MASGP-79-004. 82 pp. and 2) Abbott, R.T. 1974. American Seashells. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, Second Edition. 663 pp. d. Permit History: Method 1: Collections were made as a sub-permittee under the general permit granted to the University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia. Method 2: Collections were made as a sub-permittee under the general permit granted to the University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia. 4. Project Personnel a. Personnel: 1: Steven C. Pennings 2: Merryl Alber 3: Jacob Shalack 4: Caroline M. Reddy 5: Elizabeth Ashby Nix 6: Hongyu Guo 7: Kazimierz Wieski b. Affiliations: 1: University of Houston, Houston, Texas 2: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 3: University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia 4: University of Georgia, Sapelo Island, Georgia 5: University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia 6: University of Houston, Houston, Texas 7: University of Houston, Houston, Texas III. Data Set Status and Accessibility A. Status 1. Latest Update: 16-Sep-2014 2. Latest Archive Date: 15-Sep-2014 3. Latest Metadata Update: 16-Sep-2014 4. Data Verification Status: New Submission B. Accessibility 1. Storage Location and Medium: Stored at GCE-LTER Data Management Office Dept. of Marine Sciences Univ. of Georgia Athens, GA 30602-3636 USA on media: electronic data download (WWW) or compact disk 2. Contact Person: Name: Wade M. Sheldon, Jr. Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: sheldon@uga.edu 3. Copyright Restrictions: not copyrighted 4. Restrictions: All publications based on this data set must cite the contributor and Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER project, and two copies of the manuscript must be submitted to the GCE-LTER Information Management Office. a. Release Date: Affiliates: Sep 20, 2013, Public: Oct 11, 2013 b. Citation: Data provided by the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Project, supported by funds from NSF OCE 0620959 (data set INV-GCEM-1309) c. Disclaimer: The user assumes all responsibility for errors in judgement based on interpretation of data and analyses presented in this data set. 5. Costs: free electronic data download via WWW, distribution on CD may be subject to nominal processing and handling fee IV. Data Structural Descriptors A. Data Set File 1. File Name: INV-GCEM-1309_2_0.CSV 2. Size: 3181 records 3. File Format: ASCII text (comma-separated value format) 3a. Delimiters: single comma 4. Header Information: 5 lines of ASCII text 5. Alphanumeric Attributes: 6. Quality Control Flag Codes: E = location estimated based on GPS coordinates of prior or replacement plot(s) 7. Authentication Procedures: 8. Calculations: 9. Processing History: Software version: GCE Data Toolbox Version 3.8.0 (09-Nov-2013) Data structure version: GCE Data Structure 1.1 (29-Mar-2001) Original data file processed: INV-GCEM-1309.txt (3181 records) Data processing history: 15-Sep-2014: new GCE Data Structure 1.1 created ('newstruct') 15-Sep-2014: 3181 rows imported from ASCII data file 'INV-GCEM-1309.txt' ('imp_ascii') 15-Sep-2014: 81 metadata fields in file header parsed ('parse_header') 15-Sep-2014: data structure validated ('gce_valid') 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added column 'Location' at position 7 ('addcol') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 106 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data') 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 68 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 3 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM38' to 'GCE1_MM48', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 1030 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 1031 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 1032 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 1549 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 1550 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 1551 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 1552 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 1553 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 1554 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 1555 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 1904 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB31' to 'GCE3_CB41', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB43' to 'GCE3_CB53', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB58' to 'GCE3_CB68', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB58' to 'GCE3_CB68', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 1938 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 2036 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 2037 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 2446 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 2485 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 2502 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 2503 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 2534 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 2573 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 2590 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 2591 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 2622 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 2661 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 2678 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 2679 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 2710 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 2749 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 2766 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 2767 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 2808 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 2887 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 2914 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 2915 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28', changed record 3095 from 'GCE1_CB16' to 'GCE1_CB26', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB43' to 'GCE2_CB53', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB26' to 'GCE5_CB36', changed record 3134 from 'GCE6_CB13' to 'GCE6_CB23', changed record 3151 from 'GCE8_CB16' to 'GCE8_CB26', changed record 3152 from 'GCE8_CB18' to 'GCE8_CB28' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 37 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 3 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM48' to 'GCE1_MM58', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 1904 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB41' to 'GCE3_CB51', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB53' to 'GCE3_CB63', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB68' to 'GCE3_CB78', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB68' to 'GCE3_CB78', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 2446 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 2534 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 2622 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 2710 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 2808 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46', changed record 3095 from 'GCE1_CB26' to 'GCE1_CB36', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB53' to 'GCE2_CB63', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB36' to 'GCE5_CB46' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 29 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM58' to 'GCE1_MM68', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB51' to 'GCE3_CB61', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB63' to 'GCE3_CB73', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB78' to 'GCE3_CB88', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB78' to 'GCE3_CB88', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB63' to 'GCE2_CB73', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB46' to 'GCE5_CB56' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 29 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM68' to 'GCE1_MM78', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB61' to 'GCE3_CB71', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB73' to 'GCE3_CB83', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB88' to 'GCE3_CB98', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB88' to 'GCE3_CB98', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB73' to 'GCE2_CB83', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB56' to 'GCE5_CB66' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 29 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM78' to 'GCE1_MM88', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB71' to 'GCE3_CB81', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB83' to 'GCE3_CB93', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB98' to 'GCE3_CB108', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB98' to 'GCE3_CB108', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB83' to 'GCE2_CB93', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB66' to 'GCE5_CB76' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 29 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM88' to 'GCE1_MM28', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB81' to 'GCE3_CB21', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB93' to 'GCE3_CB33', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB108' to 'GCE3_CB48', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB108' to 'GCE3_CB48', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB93' to 'GCE2_CB33', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB76' to 'GCE5_CB16' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: 29 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM28' to 'GCE1_MM18', changed record 27 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 28 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 29 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 30 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 31 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 32 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 33 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 34 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 35 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 36 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 942 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB21' to 'GCE3_CB11', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB33' to 'GCE3_CB23', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB48' to 'GCE3_CB38', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB48' to 'GCE3_CB38', changed record 1931 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 2453 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 2478 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 2541 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 2566 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 2629 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 2654 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 2717 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 2742 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 2824 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 2871 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6', changed record 3102 from 'GCE2_CB33' to 'GCE2_CB23', changed record 3127 from 'GCE5_CB16' to 'GCE5_CB6' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 5 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 9 from 'GCE1_MM18' to 'GCE1_MM8', changed record 1915 from 'GCE3_CB11' to 'GCE3_CB1', changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB23' to 'GCE3_CB13', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB38' to 'GCE3_CB28', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB38' to 'GCE3_CB28' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 3 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 1916 from 'GCE3_CB13' to 'GCE3_CB3', changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB28' to 'GCE3_CB18', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB28' to 'GCE3_CB18' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: 2 values in 'Location' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 1918 from 'GCE3_CB18' to 'GCE3_CB8', changed record 1919 from 'GCE3_CB18' to 'GCE3_CB8' 15-Sep-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Location, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 15-Sep-2014: added Longitude and Latitude columns by matching values in the Location column to entries in the GCE geographic database ('add_stationcoords') 15-Sep-2014: added column 'Location_Notes' at position 8 ('addcol') 15-Sep-2014: updated 1 metadata fields in the Data sections ('addmeta') 15-Sep-2014: manually added 'E' flags to 106 records in column(s) Location, Latitude and Longitude ('addflags') 15-Sep-2014: locked Q/C flag criteria for columns Location, Longitude and Latitude to prevent automatic evaluation ('flag_locks') 15-Sep-2014: updated 1 metadata fields in the Data sections ('addmeta') 15-Sep-2014: added geographic metadata based on matching values in columns Site and Location to site and transect names registered in 'geo_polygons.mat' and location and station names registered in 'geo_locations.mat' ('add_sitemetadata') 15-Sep-2014: updated 8 metadata fields in the Site sections ('addmeta') 15-Sep-2014: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 15-Sep-2014: updated 56 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 16-Sep-2014: updated 6 metadata fields in the Data sections ('addmeta') 16-Sep-2014: updated 15 metadata fields in the Status, Data sections to reflect attribute metadata ('updatecols') 16-Sep-2014: parsed and formatted metadata ('listmeta') B. Variable Information 1. Variable Name: column 1. Year column 2. Month column 3. Day column 4. Site column 5. Zone column 6. Plot column 7. Location column 8. Location_Notes column 9. Longitude column 10. Latitude column 11. Species column 12. Mollusc_Length column 13. Condition column 14. Notes 2. Variable Definition: column 1. Calendar year of observation column 2. Calendar month of observation column 3. Calendar day of observation column 4. Nominal GCE-LTER sampling site column 5. Marsh zone code (1=Creekbank, 2=Mid-marsh) column 6. GCE-LTER permanent plot number column 7. Geographic location code in the GCE Metadata Database for the sampling plot column 8. Notes on location assignments and geographic accuracy column 9. Geographic longitude in decimal degrees column 10. Geographic latitude in decimal degrees column 11. Latinized name of the mollusc species collected column 12. Length of measurable individuals collected from each plot column 13. Binary code to indicate shell condition of the individual specimen column 14. Field sampling notes 3. Units of Measurement: column 1. YYYY column 2. MM column 3. DD column 4. None column 5. None column 6. None column 7. none column 8. none column 9. degrees column 10. degrees column 11. None column 12. mm column 13. None column 14. None 4. Data Type a. Storage Type: column 1. integer column 2. integer column 3. integer column 4. integer column 5. integer column 6. integer column 7. string column 8. string column 9. floating-point column 10. floating-point column 11. string column 12. floating-point column 13. integer column 14. string b. Variable Codes: Site: 1 = GCE1, 2 = GCE2, 3 = GCE3, 4 = GCE4, 5 = GCE5, 6 = GCE6, 7 = GCE7, 8 = GCE8, 9 = GCE9, 10 = GCE10 Zone: 1 = Creekbank zone, 2 = Mid-marsh zone, 3 = High-marsh Juncus zone Species: Littoraria = Littoraria irrorata, Melampus = Melampus bidentatus, Detracia = Detracia floridana, Ilyanassa = Ilyanassa obsoleta, Hydrobiidae = unidentified hydrobiid snail, Geukensia = Geukensia demissa, Polymesoda = Polymesoda caroliniana, Succineidae = unidentified succineid (amber) snails Condition: 0 = Undamaged, 1 = Damaged c. Numeric Range: column 1. 2012 to 2012 column 2. 10 to 10 column 3. 1 to 11 column 4. 1 to 10 column 5. 1 to 3 column 6. 1 to 48 column 7. (none) column 8. (none) column 9. -81.4787 to -81.229 column 10. 31.3075 to 31.5395 column 11. (none) column 12. 1.3 to 119.5 column 13. 0 to 1 column 14. (none) d. Missing Value Code: 5. Data Format a. Column Type: column 1. numerical column 2. numerical column 3. numerical column 4. numerical column 5. numerical column 6. numerical column 7. text column 8. text column 9. numerical column 10. numerical column 11. text column 12. numerical column 13. numerical column 14. text b. Number of Columns: 14 c. Decimal Places: column 1. 0 column 2. 0 column 3. 0 column 4. 0 column 5. 0 column 6. 0 column 7. 0 column 8. 0 column 9. 6 column 10. 6 column 11. 0 column 12. 1 column 13. 0 column 14. 0 6. Logical Variable Type: column 1. datetime (discrete) column 2. datetime (discrete) column 3. datetime (discrete) column 4. coded value (discrete) column 5. coded value (discrete) column 6. nominal (discrete) column 7. nominal (none) column 8. free text (none) column 9. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 10. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 11. coded value (none) column 12. data (continuous) column 13. coded value (discrete) column 14. free text (none) 7. Flagging Criteria: column 1. x<2012="I";x>2012="I";x<2012="Q";x>2012="Q" column 2. x<10="I";x>10="I";x<10="Q";x>10="Q" column 3. x<1="I";x>31="I";x<1="Q";x>11="Q" column 4. x<1="I";x>10="I";x<1="Q";x>10="Q" column 5. x<1="I";x>3="I";x<1="Q";x>3="Q" column 6. x<1="I";x>100="I";x<1="Q";x>48="Q" column 7. manually-assigned flags column 8. none column 9. x<-180="I";x>180="I";manually-assigned flags column 10. x<-90="I";x>90="I";manually-assigned flags column 11. none column 12. x<0="I";x<0="Q";x>200="Q" column 13. x<0="I";x>1="I";x<0="Q";x>1="Q" column 14. none C. Data Anomalies: Midmarsh GCE Site 8 Plot 6 and 8 were heavily trampled by pigs. Sample quadrat was placed adjacent to plots in an undisturbed area. V. Supplemental Descriptors A. Data Acquisition 1. Data Forms: Paper log sheets in the field, excel spreadsheets 2. Form Location: GCE LTER Office, UGA Marine Institute, Sapelo Island GA, 31327 3. Data Entry Validation: Excel data spreadsheets were printed and cross-checked with bench sheets and field book records by K. Anstead. A sub-set of the density estimates, calculated by the Excel spreadsheet, were confirmed on a hand held calculator by K. Anstead. B. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: C. Supplemental Materials: All molluscs were placed in pre-labeled plastic bags and transported back to the lab. The molluscs were washed free of sediment over a sieve (< 500 micron-mesh), fixed with ethanol and ultimately transferred to and preserved in 70-95% ethanol. D. Computer Programs: Microsoft Excel 2003 SP3 E. Archival Practices: F. Publications: not specified G. History of Data Set Usage 1. Data Request History: not specified 2. Data Set Update History: none 3. Review History: none 4. Questions and Comments from Users: none