I. Data Set Descriptors A. Title: Merryl Alber. 2007. Summer 2007 crab population survey based on crab hole counts in fifty-four GCE LTER Hammock sites and four GCE LTER study sites. Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Data Catalog (data set INV-GCES-0706a; http://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/public/app/dataset_details.asp?accession=INV-GCES-0706a) B. Accession Number: INV-GCES-0706a C. Description 1. Originator(s): Name: Merryl Alber Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: malber@uga.edu 2. Abstract: Crab abundance was investigated at fifty-four hammock sampling sites and four Georgia Coastal Ecosystems (GCE) LTER study sites in June-July 2007 by counting crab holes as a proxy measurement. Each hammock site had six permanent study plots which were previously laid out. Crab holes were counted within a random location inside those six plots at each hammock. Crab holes were counted within a 625 cm^2 area and species were not differentiated in the count, but noted. This method estimates total crab abundance in each study site. 3. Study Type: Directed Study 4. Study Themes: Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology 5. LTER Core Areas: Populations 6. Georeferences: geographic coordinates as data columns 7. Submission Date: Aug 01, 2007 D. Keywords: Animalia, Armases, Armases cinereum, Arthropoda, Bilateria, Brachyura, crabs, Crustacea, Decapoda, density, Ecdysozoa, Eucarida, Eumalacostraca, Eurytium, Eurytium limosum, GCE, Georgia, Georgia Coastal Ecosystems, Grapsoidea, hammock, LTER, Malacostraca, monitoring, Ocypodidae, Ocypodoidea, Panopeidae, Pleocyemata, population dynamics, Populations, Protostomia, Sapelo Island, Sesarma, Sesarmidae, summer, Uca, Uca minax, Uca pugilator, Uca pugnax, USA, Xanthoidea 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 GCE3 -- North Sapelo, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA GCE4 -- Meridian, Georgia, USA GCE9 -- Rockdedundy Island, Georgia, USA BC_i_3 -- Hammock BC_i_3, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BC_i_5 -- Hammock BC_i_5, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BC_i_6 -- Hammock BC_i_6, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BC_ii_1 -- Hammock BC_ii_1, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BC_ii_2 -- Hammock BC_ii_2, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BN_i_10 -- Hammock BN_i_10, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BN_i_8 -- Hammock BN_i_8, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA BN_i_9 -- Hammock BN_i_9, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_i_10 -- Hammock DS_i_10, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_i_11 -- Hammock DS_i_11, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_i_13 -- Hammock DS_i_13, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_i_14 -- Hammock DS_i_14, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_i_16 -- Hammock DS_i_16, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_i_17 -- Hammock DS_i_17, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA DS_ii_5 -- Hammock DS_ii_5, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HN_i_1 -- Hammock HN_i_1, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HN_i_2 -- Hammock HN_i_2, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HN_i_3 -- Hammock HN_i_3, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HN_ii_4 -- Hammock HN_ii_4, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HN_ii_5 -- Hammock HN_ii_5, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HN_iv_6 -- Hammock HN_iv_6, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_i_10 -- Hammock HS_i_10, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_i_11 -- Hammock HS_i_11, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_i_7 -- Hammock HS_i_7, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_i_8 -- Hammock HS_i_8, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_i_9 -- Hammock HS_i_9, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_ii_14 -- Hammock HS_ii_14, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_ii_15 -- Hammock HS_ii_15, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_ii_27 -- Hammock HS_ii_27, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_iii_17 -- Hammock HS_iii_17, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_iii_19 -- Hammock HS_iii_19, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_iii_20 -- Hammock HS_iii_20, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA HS_v_21 -- Hammock HS_v_21, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PC_i_24 -- Hammock PC_i_24, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PC_iii_7 -- Hammock PC_iii_7, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_i_10 -- Hammock PN_i_10, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_i_11 -- Hammock PN_i_11, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_i_12 -- Hammock PN_i_12, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_i_13 -- Hammock PN_i_13, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_i_14 -- Hammock PN_i_14, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_i_26 -- Hammock PN_i_26, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_ii_15 -- Hammock PN_ii_15, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_ii_16 -- Hammock PN_ii_16, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_ii_17 -- Hammock PN_ii_17, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_ii_18 -- Hammock PN_ii_18, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_ii_19 -- Hammock PN_ii_19, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_iii_20 -- Hammock PN_iii_20, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_iii_28 -- Hammock PN_iii_28, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_iv_21 -- Hammock PN_iv_21, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_iv_22 -- Hammock PN_iv_22, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_v_23 -- Hammock PN_v_23, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA PN_vii_25 -- Hammock PN_vii_25, 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 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 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 BC_i_3 -- NW: 081 18 51.07 W, 31 23 42.08 N NE: 081 18 49.64 W, 31 23 42.08 N SE: 081 18 49.64 W, 31 23 41.35 N SW: 081 18 51.07 W, 31 23 41.35 N BC_i_5 -- NW: 081 18 36.09 W, 31 23 30.49 N NE: 081 18 34.98 W, 31 23 30.49 N SE: 081 18 34.98 W, 31 23 29.52 N SW: 081 18 36.09 W, 31 23 29.52 N BC_i_6 -- NW: 081 18 40.19 W, 31 23 35.45 N NE: 081 18 39.00 W, 31 23 35.45 N SE: 081 18 39.00 W, 31 23 34.58 N SW: 081 18 40.19 W, 31 23 34.58 N BC_ii_1 -- NW: 081 19 37.22 W, 31 23 28.58 N NE: 081 19 32.58 W, 31 23 28.58 N SE: 081 19 32.58 W, 31 23 25.06 N SW: 081 19 37.22 W, 31 23 25.06 N BC_ii_2 -- NW: 081 20 17.57 W, 31 22 49.94 N NE: 081 20 11.01 W, 31 22 49.94 N SE: 081 20 11.01 W, 31 22 44.61 N SW: 081 20 17.57 W, 31 22 44.61 N BN_i_10 -- NW: 081 17 55.31 W, 31 30 58.62 N NE: 081 17 51.19 W, 31 30 58.62 N SE: 081 17 51.19 W, 31 30 55.71 N SW: 081 17 55.31 W, 31 30 55.71 N BN_i_8 -- NW: 081 17 46.14 W, 31 31 12.82 N NE: 081 17 41.13 W, 31 31 12.82 N SE: 081 17 41.13 W, 31 31 08.54 N SW: 081 17 46.14 W, 31 31 08.54 N BN_i_9 -- NW: 081 17 49.86 W, 31 31 05.62 N NE: 081 17 45.91 W, 31 31 05.62 N SE: 081 17 45.91 W, 31 31 02.99 N SW: 081 17 49.86 W, 31 31 02.99 N DS_i_10 -- NW: 081 23 41.50 W, 31 17 40.71 N NE: 081 23 37.61 W, 31 17 40.71 N SE: 081 23 37.61 W, 31 17 37.12 N SW: 081 23 41.50 W, 31 17 37.12 N DS_i_11 -- NW: 081 23 34.79 W, 31 17 33.17 N NE: 081 23 31.42 W, 31 17 33.17 N SE: 081 23 31.42 W, 31 17 29.43 N SW: 081 23 34.79 W, 31 17 29.43 N DS_i_13 -- NW: 081 23 18.20 W, 31 17 19.89 N NE: 081 23 16.78 W, 31 17 19.89 N SE: 081 23 16.78 W, 31 17 18.69 N SW: 081 23 18.20 W, 31 17 18.69 N DS_i_14 -- NW: 081 23 08.90 W, 31 17 12.62 N NE: 081 23 07.27 W, 31 17 12.62 N SE: 081 23 07.27 W, 31 17 11.10 N SW: 081 23 08.90 W, 31 17 11.10 N DS_i_16 -- NW: 081 23 03.98 W, 31 16 13.99 N NE: 081 23 00.53 W, 31 16 13.99 N SE: 081 23 00.53 W, 31 16 12.09 N SW: 081 23 03.98 W, 31 16 12.09 N DS_i_17 -- NW: 081 23 05.84 W, 31 16 11.65 N NE: 081 23 04.10 W, 31 16 11.65 N SE: 081 23 04.10 W, 31 16 10.69 N SW: 081 23 05.84 W, 31 16 10.69 N DS_ii_5 -- NW: 081 23 41.45 W, 31 17 57.68 N NE: 081 23 34.23 W, 31 17 57.68 N SE: 081 23 34.23 W, 31 17 50.71 N SW: 081 23 41.45 W, 31 17 50.71 N HN_i_1 -- NW: 081 12 37.98 W, 31 31 06.57 N NE: 081 12 34.86 W, 31 31 06.57 N SE: 081 12 34.86 W, 31 31 01.58 N SW: 081 12 37.98 W, 31 31 01.58 N HN_i_2 -- NW: 081 12 42.17 W, 31 31 39.17 N NE: 081 12 40.25 W, 31 31 39.17 N SE: 081 12 40.25 W, 31 31 31.83 N SW: 081 12 42.17 W, 31 31 31.83 N HN_i_3 -- NW: 081 12 45.14 W, 31 30 20.19 N NE: 081 12 44.49 W, 31 30 20.19 N SE: 081 12 44.49 W, 31 30 19.23 N SW: 081 12 45.14 W, 31 30 19.23 N HN_ii_4 -- NW: 081 12 47.06 W, 31 31 19.38 N NE: 081 12 43.70 W, 31 31 19.38 N SE: 081 12 43.70 W, 31 31 11.51 N SW: 081 12 47.06 W, 31 31 11.51 N HN_ii_5 -- NW: 081 12 43.51 W, 31 31 22.53 N NE: 081 12 38.63 W, 31 31 22.53 N SE: 081 12 38.63 W, 31 31 10.29 N SW: 081 12 43.51 W, 31 31 10.29 N HN_iv_6 -- NW: 081 12 44.35 W, 31 30 38.44 N NE: 081 12 32.50 W, 31 30 38.44 N SE: 081 12 32.50 W, 31 30 04.23 N SW: 081 12 44.35 W, 31 30 04.23 N HS_i_10 -- NW: 081 19 08.49 W, 31 14 26.18 N NE: 081 19 06.12 W, 31 14 26.18 N SE: 081 19 06.12 W, 31 14 23.31 N SW: 081 19 08.49 W, 31 14 23.31 N HS_i_11 -- NW: 081 19 12.13 W, 31 14 40.21 N NE: 081 19 11.09 W, 31 14 40.21 N SE: 081 19 11.09 W, 31 14 38.07 N SW: 081 19 12.13 W, 31 14 38.07 N HS_i_7 -- NW: 081 19 11.66 W, 31 14 15.03 N NE: 081 19 08.11 W, 31 14 15.03 N SE: 081 19 08.11 W, 31 14 10.69 N SW: 081 19 11.66 W, 31 14 10.69 N HS_i_8 -- NW: 081 19 04.68 W, 31 14 23.19 N NE: 081 18 58.42 W, 31 14 23.19 N SE: 081 18 58.42 W, 31 14 18.71 N SW: 081 19 04.68 W, 31 14 18.71 N HS_i_9 -- NW: 081 19 19.60 W, 31 14 25.40 N NE: 081 19 18.11 W, 31 14 25.40 N SE: 081 19 18.11 W, 31 14 23.81 N SW: 081 19 19.60 W, 31 14 23.81 N HS_ii_14 -- NW: 081 18 32.69 W, 31 13 58.32 N NE: 081 18 20.57 W, 31 13 58.32 N SE: 081 18 20.57 W, 31 13 41.18 N SW: 081 18 32.69 W, 31 13 41.18 N HS_ii_15 -- NW: 081 18 48.79 W, 31 14 37.62 N NE: 081 18 36.77 W, 31 14 37.62 N SE: 081 18 36.77 W, 31 14 30.38 N SW: 081 18 48.79 W, 31 14 30.38 N HS_ii_27 -- NW: 081 18 05.86 W, 31 13 55.40 N NE: 081 18 02.74 W, 31 13 55.40 N SE: 081 18 02.74 W, 31 13 45.50 N SW: 081 18 05.86 W, 31 13 45.50 N HS_iii_17 -- NW: 081 18 18.92 W, 31 13 26.84 N NE: 081 18 05.24 W, 31 13 26.84 N SE: 081 18 05.24 W, 31 13 14.59 N SW: 081 18 18.92 W, 31 13 14.59 N HS_iii_19 -- NW: 081 18 47.76 W, 31 15 21.63 N NE: 081 18 36.84 W, 31 15 21.63 N SE: 081 18 36.84 W, 31 15 06.66 N SW: 081 18 47.76 W, 31 15 06.66 N HS_iii_20 -- NW: 081 18 42.13 W, 31 15 41.16 N NE: 081 18 34.40 W, 31 15 41.16 N SE: 081 18 34.40 W, 31 15 22.83 N SW: 081 18 42.13 W, 31 15 22.83 N HS_v_21 -- NW: 081 17 47.96 W, 31 14 50.42 N NE: 081 17 30.52 W, 31 14 50.42 N SE: 081 17 30.52 W, 31 14 29.51 N SW: 081 17 47.96 W, 31 14 29.51 N PC_i_24 -- NW: 081 17 38.14 W, 31 24 42.14 N NE: 081 17 36.82 W, 31 24 42.14 N SE: 081 17 36.82 W, 31 24 39.40 N SW: 081 17 38.14 W, 31 24 39.40 N PC_iii_7 -- NW: 081 17 28.93 W, 31 24 20.17 N NE: 081 17 18.29 W, 31 24 20.17 N SE: 081 17 18.29 W, 31 24 11.51 N SW: 081 17 28.93 W, 31 24 11.51 N PN_i_10 -- NW: 081 16 16.20 W, 31 28 00.04 N NE: 081 16 12.04 W, 31 28 00.04 N SE: 081 16 12.04 W, 31 27 56.02 N SW: 081 16 16.20 W, 31 27 56.02 N PN_i_11 -- NW: 081 17 17.41 W, 31 26 55.15 N NE: 081 17 16.48 W, 31 26 55.15 N SE: 081 17 16.48 W, 31 26 53.41 N SW: 081 17 17.41 W, 31 26 53.41 N PN_i_12 -- NW: 081 17 18.25 W, 31 26 51.87 N NE: 081 17 16.75 W, 31 26 51.87 N SE: 081 17 16.75 W, 31 26 48.59 N SW: 081 17 18.25 W, 31 26 48.59 N PN_i_13 -- NW: 081 17 17.90 W, 31 26 47.43 N NE: 081 17 16.56 W, 31 26 47.43 N SE: 081 17 16.56 W, 31 26 44.81 N SW: 081 17 17.90 W, 31 26 44.81 N PN_i_14 -- NW: 081 20 30.83 W, 31 27 43.01 N NE: 081 20 29.42 W, 31 27 43.01 N SE: 081 20 29.42 W, 31 27 41.11 N SW: 081 20 30.83 W, 31 27 41.11 N PN_i_26 -- NW: 081 20 43.89 W, 31 27 22.66 N NE: 081 20 41.87 W, 31 27 22.66 N SE: 081 20 41.87 W, 31 27 21.32 N SW: 081 20 43.89 W, 31 27 21.32 N PN_ii_15 -- NW: 081 16 31.34 W, 31 28 35.49 N NE: 081 16 22.86 W, 31 28 35.49 N SE: 081 16 22.86 W, 31 28 31.11 N SW: 081 16 31.34 W, 31 28 31.11 N PN_ii_16 -- NW: 081 17 17.56 W, 31 27 21.83 N NE: 081 17 10.81 W, 31 27 21.83 N SE: 081 17 10.81 W, 31 27 07.07 N SW: 081 17 17.56 W, 31 27 07.07 N PN_ii_17 -- NW: 081 17 53.73 W, 31 26 13.91 N NE: 081 17 45.45 W, 31 26 13.91 N SE: 081 17 45.45 W, 31 26 08.92 N SW: 081 17 53.73 W, 31 26 08.92 N PN_ii_18 -- NW: 081 17 42.18 W, 31 26 19.99 N NE: 081 17 37.50 W, 31 26 19.99 N SE: 081 17 37.50 W, 31 26 12.91 N SW: 081 17 42.18 W, 31 26 12.91 N PN_ii_19 -- NW: 081 21 03.86 W, 31 27 25.12 N NE: 081 20 57.93 W, 31 27 25.12 N SE: 081 20 57.93 W, 31 27 19.59 N SW: 081 21 03.86 W, 31 27 19.59 N PN_iii_20 -- NW: 081 17 53.39 W, 31 26 36.50 N NE: 081 17 42.76 W, 31 26 36.50 N SE: 081 17 42.76 W, 31 26 26.71 N SW: 081 17 53.39 W, 31 26 26.71 N PN_iii_28 -- NW: 081 24 48.71 W, 31 32 33.25 N NE: 081 24 40.23 W, 31 32 33.25 N SE: 081 24 40.23 W, 31 32 25.81 N SW: 081 24 48.71 W, 31 32 25.81 N PN_iv_21 -- NW: 081 16 22.39 W, 31 28 53.71 N NE: 081 16 09.53 W, 31 28 53.71 N SE: 081 16 09.53 W, 31 28 37.66 N SW: 081 16 22.39 W, 31 28 37.66 N PN_iv_22 -- NW: 081 17 20.84 W, 31 27 56.32 N NE: 081 17 13.21 W, 31 27 56.32 N SE: 081 17 13.21 W, 31 27 38.97 N SW: 081 17 20.84 W, 31 27 38.97 N PN_v_23 -- NW: 081 17 47.14 W, 31 26 54.11 N NE: 081 17 32.19 W, 31 26 54.11 N SE: 081 17 32.19 W, 31 26 38.08 N SW: 081 17 47.14 W, 31 26 38.08 N PN_vii_25 -- NW: 081 18 18.95 W, 31 26 14.31 N NE: 081 17 40.83 W, 31 26 14.31 N SE: 081 17 40.83 W, 31 25 32.77 N SW: 081 18 18.95 W, 31 25 32.77 N b. Physiographic Region: GCE1 -- Lower coastal plain GCE3 -- Barrier island GCE4 -- Lower coastal plain GCE9 -- Barrier island BC_i_3 -- Back-barrier island BC_i_5 -- Back-barrier island BC_i_6 -- Back-barrier island BC_ii_1 -- Back-barrier island BC_ii_2 -- Back-barrier island BN_i_10 -- Back-barrier island BN_i_8 -- Back-barrier island BN_i_9 -- Back-barrier island DS_i_10 -- Back-barrier island DS_i_11 -- Back-barrier island DS_i_13 -- Back-barrier island DS_i_14 -- Back-barrier island DS_i_16 -- Back-barrier island DS_i_17 -- Back-barrier island DS_ii_5 -- Back-barrier island HN_i_1 -- Back-barrier island HN_i_2 -- Back-barrier island HN_i_3 -- Back-barrier island HN_ii_4 -- Back-barrier island HN_ii_5 -- Back-barrier island HN_iv_6 -- Back-barrier island HS_i_10 -- Back-barrier island HS_i_11 -- Back-barrier island HS_i_7 -- Back-barrier island HS_i_8 -- Back-barrier island HS_i_9 -- Back-barrier island HS_ii_14 -- Back-barrier island HS_ii_15 -- Back-barrier island HS_ii_27 -- Back-barrier island HS_iii_17 -- Back-barrier island HS_iii_19 -- Back-barrier island HS_iii_20 -- Back-barrier island HS_v_21 -- Back-barrier island PC_i_24 -- Back-barrier island PC_iii_7 -- Back-barrier island PN_i_10 -- Back-barrier island PN_i_11 -- Back-barrier island PN_i_12 -- Back-barrier island PN_i_13 -- Back-barrier island PN_i_14 -- Back-barrier island PN_i_26 -- Back-barrier island PN_ii_15 -- Back-barrier island PN_ii_16 -- Back-barrier island PN_ii_17 -- Back-barrier island PN_ii_18 -- Back-barrier island PN_ii_19 -- Back-barrier island PN_iii_20 -- Back-barrier island PN_iii_28 -- Back-barrier island PN_iv_21 -- Back-barrier island PN_iv_22 -- Back-barrier island PN_v_23 -- Back-barrier island PN_vii_25 -- Back-barrier island c. Landform Components: GCE1 -- Intertidal salt marsh bordering maritime forest GCE3 -- Intertidal salt marsh, mud flat, and maritime forest GCE4 -- Intertidal salt marsh bordering maritime forest GCE9 -- Intertidal salt marsh BC_i_3 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BC_i_5 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BC_i_6 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BC_ii_1 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BC_ii_2 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BN_i_10 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BN_i_8 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh BN_i_9 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_i_10 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_i_11 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_i_13 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_i_14 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_i_16 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_i_17 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh DS_ii_5 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HN_i_1 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HN_i_2 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HN_i_3 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HN_ii_4 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HN_ii_5 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HN_iv_6 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_i_10 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_i_11 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_i_7 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_i_8 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_i_9 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_ii_14 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_ii_15 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_ii_27 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_iii_17 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_iii_19 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_iii_20 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh HS_v_21 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PC_i_24 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PC_iii_7 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_i_10 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_i_11 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_i_12 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_i_13 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_i_14 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_i_26 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_ii_15 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_ii_16 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_ii_17 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_ii_18 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_ii_19 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_iii_20 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_iii_28 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_iv_21 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_iv_22 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_v_23 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh PN_vii_25 -- Maritime forest bordered by intertidal salt marsh d. Hydrographic Characteristics: GCE1 -- Site contains the upper reaches of the Sapelo River, 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 GCE9 -- Site contains Crooked Creek and borders the Little Mud River, and is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BC_i_3 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BC_i_5 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BC_i_6 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BC_ii_1 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BC_ii_2 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BN_i_10 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BN_i_8 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides BN_i_9 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_i_10 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_i_11 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_i_13 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_i_14 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_i_16 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_i_17 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides DS_ii_5 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HN_i_1 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HN_i_2 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HN_i_3 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HN_ii_4 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HN_ii_5 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HN_iv_6 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_i_10 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_i_11 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_i_7 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_i_8 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_i_9 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_ii_14 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_ii_15 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_ii_27 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_iii_17 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_iii_19 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_iii_20 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides HS_v_21 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PC_i_24 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PC_iii_7 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_i_10 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_i_11 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_i_12 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_i_13 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_i_14 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_i_26 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_ii_15 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_ii_16 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_ii_17 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_ii_18 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_ii_19 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_iii_20 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_iii_28 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_iv_21 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_iv_22 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_v_23 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides PN_vii_25 -- Site is subject to 2-3m semi-diurnal tides e. Topographic Attributes: GCE1 -- 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 GCE9 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BC_i_3 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BC_i_5 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BC_i_6 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BC_ii_1 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BC_ii_2 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BN_i_10 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BN_i_8 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide BN_i_9 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_i_10 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_i_11 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_i_13 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_i_14 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_i_16 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_i_17 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide DS_ii_5 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HN_i_1 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HN_i_2 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HN_i_3 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HN_ii_4 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HN_ii_5 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HN_iv_6 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_i_10 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_i_11 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_i_7 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_i_8 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_i_9 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_ii_14 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_ii_15 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_ii_27 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_iii_17 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_iii_19 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_iii_20 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide HS_v_21 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PC_i_24 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PC_iii_7 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_i_10 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_i_11 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_i_12 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_i_13 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_i_14 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_i_26 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_ii_15 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_ii_16 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_ii_17 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_ii_18 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_ii_19 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_iii_20 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_iii_28 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_iv_21 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_iv_22 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_v_23 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide PN_vii_25 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3m above mean low tide f. Geology, Lithology and Soils: GCE1 -- unspecified GCE3 -- unspecified GCE4 -- unspecified GCE9 -- unspecified BC_i_3 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BC_i_5 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BC_i_6 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BC_ii_1 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BC_ii_2 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BN_i_10 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BN_i_8 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments BN_i_9 -- Ballast stone and fine sediments DS_i_10 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging DS_i_11 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging DS_i_13 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging DS_i_14 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging DS_i_16 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging DS_i_17 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging DS_ii_5 -- Mixed sediment from river and estuary dredging HN_i_1 -- Holocene sediments HN_i_2 -- Holocene sediments HN_i_3 -- Holocene sediments HN_ii_4 -- Holocene sediments HN_ii_5 -- Holocene sediments HN_iv_6 -- Holocene sediments HS_i_10 -- Holocene sediments HS_i_11 -- Holocene sediments HS_i_7 -- Holocene sediments HS_i_8 -- Holocene sediments HS_i_9 -- Holocene sediments HS_ii_14 -- Holocene sediments HS_ii_15 -- Holocene sediments HS_ii_27 -- Holocene sediments HS_iii_17 -- Holocene sediments HS_iii_19 -- Holocene sediments HS_iii_20 -- Holocene sediments HS_v_21 -- Holocene sediments PC_i_24 -- Pleistocene sediments PC_iii_7 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_i_10 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_i_11 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_i_12 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_i_13 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_i_14 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_i_26 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_ii_15 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_ii_16 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_ii_17 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_ii_18 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_ii_19 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_iii_20 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_iii_28 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_iv_21 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_iv_22 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_v_23 -- Pleistocene sediments PN_vii_25 -- Pleistocene sediments g. Vegetation Communities: GCE1 -- Vegetation is 3/4 Juncus and 1/4 Spartina alterniflora, and upland area is heavily forested. GCE3 -- Short and tall Spartina alterniflora, very small amounts of Juncus. GCE4 -- Vegetation is 1/4 Juncus, 3/4 medium and tall Spartina alterniflora. 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. BC_i_3 -- unspecified BC_i_5 -- unspecified BC_i_6 -- unspecified BC_ii_1 -- unspecified BC_ii_2 -- unspecified BN_i_10 -- unspecified BN_i_8 -- unspecified BN_i_9 -- unspecified DS_i_10 -- unspecified DS_i_11 -- unspecified DS_i_13 -- unspecified DS_i_14 -- unspecified DS_i_16 -- unspecified DS_i_17 -- unspecified DS_ii_5 -- unspecified HN_i_1 -- unspecified HN_i_2 -- unspecified HN_i_3 -- unspecified HN_ii_4 -- unspecified HN_ii_5 -- unspecified HN_iv_6 -- unspecified HS_i_10 -- unspecified HS_i_11 -- unspecified HS_i_7 -- unspecified HS_i_8 -- unspecified HS_i_9 -- unspecified HS_ii_14 -- unspecified HS_ii_15 -- unspecified HS_ii_27 -- unspecified HS_iii_17 -- unspecified HS_iii_19 -- unspecified HS_iii_20 -- unspecified HS_v_21 -- unspecified PC_i_24 -- unspecified PC_iii_7 -- unspecified PN_i_10 -- unspecified PN_i_11 -- unspecified PN_i_12 -- unspecified PN_i_13 -- unspecified PN_i_14 -- unspecified PN_i_26 -- unspecified PN_ii_15 -- unspecified PN_ii_16 -- unspecified PN_ii_17 -- unspecified PN_ii_18 -- unspecified PN_ii_19 -- unspecified PN_iii_20 -- unspecified PN_iii_28 -- unspecified PN_iv_21 -- unspecified PN_iv_22 -- unspecified PN_v_23 -- unspecified PN_vii_25 -- unspecified 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. 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. The following plots were disturbed by marsh dieback: M7. 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. 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. 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. 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 determined the density of crabs at six plots within 54 GCE LTER Hammock sites and 4 GCE marsh monitering sites. b. Permanent Plots: Samples were taken at a random location within each of the six permanent monitoring plots within each hammock and GCE site. The plots were chosen at each hammock site by randomly generating a point using ArcGIS software, ESRI, Version 9.x that fell within the GIS hammock polygon. The point was then moved to the nearest perimeter point and designated Point A. Points B-F were then equally spaced around the perimeter, moving clockwise from Point A. The distance of the location was calculated by dividing the perimeter of the hammock by six. For creating plots in the GCE sites, a predetermined length of upland was chosen and mapped. This was treated a similar way, diving the distance by six and randomly generating a Point A and spacing B-F equally around the perimeter. c. Data Collection Duration and Frequency: For each sample, an area within the permanent plot was randomly chosen. All active crab produced holes were counted within the quadrat. Beginning of Observations: Jun 05, 2007 End of Observations: Jul 30, 2007 3. Research Methods a. Field and Laboratory Methods: Method 1: Crab Hole Counts -- A quadrat device was constructed of treated, 1" x 3/4" slats, drilled and joined with bolts and wing nuts. It was designed to enclose selectable areas of 625, 2500, or 5000 cm^2. The 625 cm^2 area was used for this study. The quadrat was randomly placed within all six plots on each hammock. Hole occupancy was not assessed but crab species visible in the area were noted. The geographic location of the center of the quadrat was determined using a differentially-corrected hand-help GPS unit with sub-foot accurracy. Method 2: Density Estimation -- Per meter square densities are determined by dividing the hole count by the fraction of m^2 represented by the quadrat section (625 cm^2) used for counts. b. Instrumentation: Method 1: Trimble GeoXH Manufacturer: Trimble (Model: GeoXH (2005 series)) Parameter: Latitude (Accuracy: 0.5m, Readability: 0.00000001 degrees, Range: 0-90 degrees) Protocol: For point features, collect a minimum of 20 observations for averaging in post-processing Parameter: Longitude (Accuracy: 0.5m, Readability: 0.00000001 degrees, Range: 0-180 degrees) Protocol: For point features, collect a minimum of 20 observations for averaging in post-processing Method 2: none c. Taxonomy and Systematics: Method 1: Researchers were trained to recognize individual crab species in the field. Method 2: Researchers were trained to recognize individual crab species in the field. d. Speclies List: e. Permit History: Method 1: Not applicable (no animals were actually collected) Method 2: Not applicable (no animals were actually collected) 4. Project Personnel a. Personnel: 1: Merryl Alber 2: Alana R. Lynes 3: Jonathan Pahlas b. Affiliations: 1: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 2: University of Houston, Houston, Texas 3: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia III. Data Set Status and Accessibility A. Status 1. Latest Update: 05-Feb-2015 2. Latest Archive Date: 05-Feb-2015 3. Latest Metadata Update: 05-Feb-2015 4. Data Verification Status: Review by GCE IM 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: Aug 01, 2007, Public: Aug 01, 2008 b. Citation: Data provided by the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Project, supported by funds from NSF OCE 0620959 (data set INV-GCES-0706a) 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-GCES-0706a_1_0.CSV 2. Size: 348 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: Q = questionable value, I = invalid value 7. Authentication Procedures: 8. Calculations: Quadrat_Area: Quadrat Area (cm^2) = Quadrat Length (cm) * Quadrat Width (cm) Hole_Density: Hole Density (Count/m^2) = Hole Count (Count) / (Quadrat Area (cm^2) * 0.0001 m^2/cm^2) UTM_Zone: UTM_Zone = 17 9. Processing History: Software version: GCE Data Toolbox Version 3.9.2 (01-Dec-2014) Data structure version: GCE Data Structure 1.1 (29-Mar-2001) Original data file processed: INV-GCEM-0706a.txt (348 records) Data processing history: 21-Oct-2014: new GCE Data Structure 1.1 created ('newstruct') 21-Oct-2014: 348 rows imported from ASCII data file 'INV-GCEM-0706a.txt' ('imp_ascii') 21-Oct-2014: 81 metadata fields in file header parsed ('parse_header') 21-Oct-2014: data structure validated ('gce_valid') 21-Oct-2014: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 21-Oct-2014: Variable Type of column Plot_Northing changed from 'coordinates' to 'coord'; Variable Type of column Plot_Easting changed from 'coordinates' to 'coord';Numeric Type of column Site_Size changed from 'cointinuous' to 'continuous'; Numeric Type of column Plot_Northing changed from 'cointinuous' to 'continuous'; Numeric Type of column Plot_Easting changed from 'cointinuous' to 'continuous ('ui_editor') 21-Oct-2014: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 21-Oct-2014: updated 48 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 21-Oct-2014: added geographic metadata based on matching values in column Site to site and transect names registered in 'geo_polygons.mat' ('add_sitemetadata') 21-Oct-2014: updated 8 metadata fields in the Site sections ('addmeta') 05-Feb-2015: calculated calendar date in MM/DD/YYYY format from individual date component columns Year, Month and Day, added 'Date' column at position 1 ('add_datecol') 05-Feb-2015: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 05-Feb-2015: Descriptions of columns Date, Plot_Northing and Plot_Easting edited; Name of column Plot_Northing changed to UTM_Northing; Name of column Plot_Easting changed to UTM_Easting;Q/C Criteria of column Site_Size changed from 'x<0.01='I';x<0.02='Q';x>554.74='Q'' to 'x<0.01='I';x<0.02='Q';x>600='Q'';deleted columns Year, Month and Day from data structure ('ui_editor') 05-Feb-2015: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Site_Size, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 05-Feb-2015: calculated column UTM_Zone generated by the expression '17' (add_calcexpr) 05-Feb-2015: updated 1 metadata fields in the Data sections ('addmeta') 05-Feb-2015: calculated Latitude and Longitude from UTM coordinates in UTM_Zone, UTM_Easting and UTM_Northing using WGS84 datum ('add_latloncoords') 05-Feb-2015: added column 'Latitude' at position 11 ('addcol') 05-Feb-2015: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Latitude, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 05-Feb-2015: added column 'Longitude' at position 12 ('addcol') 05-Feb-2015: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Longitude, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 05-Feb-2015: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 05-Feb-2015: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 05-Feb-2015: updated 56 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('addmeta') 05-Feb-2015: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 05-Feb-2015: updated 6 metadata fields in the Data sections ('addmeta') 05-Feb-2015: updated 15 metadata fields in the Status, Data sections to reflect attribute metadata ('updatecols') 05-Feb-2015: parsed and formatted metadata ('listmeta') B. Variable Information 1. Variable Name: column 1. Date column 2. Site column 3. Site_Origin column 4. Site_Region column 5. Site_Size column 6. Site_Identifier column 7. Plot column 8. UTM_Zone column 9. UTM_Northing column 10. UTM_Easting column 11. Latitude column 12. Longitude column 13. Quadrat_Area column 14. Hole_Count column 15. Hole_Density column 16. Crab_Species_Noted 2. Variable Definition: column 1. Calendar date of sampling column 2. GCE-LTER hammock number or GCE site column 3. Origin of hammock or GCE site column 4. Region of study area where the hammock or GCE site occur column 5. Measured area of hammock or GCE site column 6. Number that identifies hammock or GCE site column 7. Permanent plot number column 8. UTM zone of sampling plot column 9. UTM northing of the sampling plot (WGS84 datum) column 10. UTM easting of the sampling plot (WGS84 datum) column 11. Geographic latitude in decimal degrees column 12. Geographic longitude in decimal degrees column 13. Areal measurement of the quadrat frame column 14. Number of crab holes recorded in 625 cm^2 quadrat column 15. Calculated number of crab holes per meter squared column 16. Noted crab species within the Transect 3. Units of Measurement: column 1. MM/DD/YYYY column 2. None column 3. None column 4. None column 5. Hectares column 6. None column 7. none column 8. none column 9. m column 10. m column 11. degrees column 12. degrees column 13. cm^2 column 14. Count column 15. Count/m^2 column 16. none 4. Data Type a. Storage Type: column 1. string column 2. string column 3. integer column 4. integer column 5. floating-point column 6. integer column 7. integer column 8. integer column 9. floating-point column 10. floating-point column 11. floating-point column 12. floating-point column 13. floating-point column 14. integer column 15. floating-point column 16. string b. Variable Codes: Site_Origin: 1=Ballast Stone, 2=Dredge Spoil, 3=Holocene, 4=Pleistocene, 5=Not Applicable Site_Region: 1=North, 2=Central, 3=South Plot: 1 = Point A, 2 = Point B, 3 = Point C, 4 = Point D, 5 = Point E, 6 = Point F Crab_Species_Noted: 0=None, 1=Armases cinereum, 2=Eurytium limosum, 3=Uca sp, 4=Uca Uminax, 5=Uca pugilator, 6=Uca pugnax, 7=unknown c. Numeric Range: column 1. (none) column 2. (none) column 3. 1 to 5 column 4. 1 to 3 column 5. 0.024315 to 554.74 column 6. 1 to 28 column 7. 1 to 6 column 8. 17 to 17 column 9. 3454106.22 to 3489805.673 column 10. 459819.4695 to 480126.034 column 11. 31.2207 to 31.5425 column 12. -81.4233 to -81.2093 column 13. 625 to 625 column 14. 0 to 89 column 15. 0 to 1424 column 16. (none) d. Missing Value Code: 5. Data Format a. Column Type: column 1. text column 2. text column 3. numerical column 4. numerical column 5. numerical column 6. numerical column 7. numerical column 8. numerical column 9. numerical column 10. numerical column 11. numerical column 12. numerical column 13. numerical column 14. numerical column 15. numerical column 16. text b. Number of Columns: 16 c. Decimal Places: column 1. 0 column 2. 0 column 3. 0 column 4. 0 column 5. 9 column 6. 0 column 7. 0 column 8. 0 column 9. 3 column 10. 3 column 11. 6 column 12. 6 column 13. 3 column 14. 0 column 15. 0 column 16. 0 6. Logical Variable Type: column 1. datetime (none) column 2. nominal (none) column 3. coded value (discrete) column 4. coded value (discrete) column 5. calculation (continuous) column 6. nominal (discrete) column 7. coded value (discrete) column 8. geographic coordinate (discrete) column 9. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 10. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 11. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 12. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 13. calculation (continuous) column 14. data (discrete) column 15. calculation (continuous) column 16. coded value (none) 7. Flagging Criteria: column 1. none column 2. none column 3. x<1="I";x>5="I";x<1="Q";x>5="Q" column 4. x<1="I";x>3="I";x<1="Q";x>3="Q" column 5. x<0.01="I";x<0.02="Q";x>600="Q" column 6. x<1="I";x>29="I";x<1="Q";x>28="Q" column 7. x<1="I";x>6="I";x<1="Q";x>6="Q" column 8. none column 9. none column 10. none column 11. x<-90="I";x>90="I" column 12. x<-180="I";x>180="I" column 13. x<0="I";x>5000="I";x>625="Q" column 14. x<0="I";x<0="Q";x>89="Q" column 15. x<0="I";x<0="Q";x>1424="Q" column 16. none C. Data Anomalies: PN_ii_16, Plot C and PN_ii_18, Plots B, C, D were not sampled due to being under water. V. Supplemental Descriptors A. Data Acquisition 1. Data Forms: Field data was recorded on weather-proof paper and field notes were later entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. 2. Form Location: Field notes and copies are maintained by Merryl Alber. 3. Data Entry Validation: Density estimates were made using a calculator by Kristen Anstead. B. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: C. Supplemental Materials: None D. Computer Programs: Microsoft Excel 2003 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