I. Data Set Descriptors A. Title: Christopher B. Craft. 2005. Soil respiration and temperature measurements at 5 GCE-LTER sampling sites from June 2003 to March 2005. Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Data Catalog (data set ORG-GCEM-0508a; http://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/public/app/dataset_details.asp?accession=ORG-GCEM-0508a) B. Accession Number: ORG-GCEM-0508a C. Description 1. Originator(s): Name: Christopher B. Craft Address: Indiana University - School of Public and Environmental Affairs Room 408. MSB II. Bloomington, Indiana 47405 Country: USA Email: ccraft@indiana.edu 2. Abstract: Soil temperature and respiration were measured in tidal marshes at five GCE-LTER sampling sites. The sites represent estuaries of the Georgia coast (USA) that vary in delivery of freshwater and sediment. Replicate measurements were taken from several locations at each site (levee, marsh plain, and marsh dieback) on seven dates between June 2003 and March 2005 to evaluate the effects of freshwater input on soil respiration over time. 3. Study Type: Monitoring 4. Study Themes: Organic Matter/Decomposition 5. LTER Core Areas: Organic Matter 6. Georeferences: none 7. Submission Date: Aug 16, 2005 D. Keywords: estuaries, freshwater, marshes, Organic Matter, respiration, sediments, soils, temperature II. Research Origin Descriptors A. Overall Project Description 1. Project Title: Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project 2. Principal Investigators: Name: James T. Hollibaugh Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: aquadoc@uga.edu 3. Funding Period: May 01, 2000 to May 01, 2006 4. Objectives: To investigate the linkages between coastal and distant upland areas in central Georgia mediated by surface and ground water delivery to the coastal zone. This will be addressed by examining the relationship between variability in environmental factors driven by river flow, primarily salinity, and ecosystem processes and structure. 5. Abstract: We propose to establish a Long Term Ecological Research site on the central Georgia coast in the vicinity of Sapelo Island. This is a barrier island and marsh complex with the Altamaha River, one of the largest and least developed rivers on the east coast of the US, as the primary source of fresh water. The proposed study would investigate the linkages between local and distant upland areas mediated by water - surface water and ground water - delivery to the coastal zone. We would explicitly examine the relationship between variability in environmental factors driven by river flow, primarily salinity because we can measure it at high frequency, and ecosystem processes and structure. We will accomplish this by comparing estuary/marsh complexes separated from the Altamaha River by one or two lagoonal estuary/marsh complexes that damp and attenuate the river signal. This spatial gradient is analogous to the temporal trend in riverine influence expected as a result of development in the watershed. We will implement a monitoring system that documents physical and biological variables and use the time trends and spatial distributions of these variables and of their variance structure to address questions about the factors controlling distributions, trophic structure, diversity, and biogeochemistry. An existing GIS-based hydrologic model will be modified to incorporate changes in river water resulting from changes in land use patterns that can be expected as the watershed develops. This model will be linked to ecosystem models and will serve as an heuristic and management tool. Another consequence of coastal development is that as river flow decreases, groundwater flow increases and becomes nutrified. We will compare the effects of ground water discharge from the surficial aquifer in relatively pristine (Sapelo Island) versus more urbanized (mainland) sites to assess the relative importance of fresh water versus nutrients to productivity, structure and biomass turnover rate in marshes influenced by groundwater. We will also investigate the effect of marine processes (tides, storm surge) on mixing across the fresh/salt interface in the surficial aquifer. Additional physical studies will relate the morphology of salt marsh - tidal creek channel complexes to tidal current distributions and exchange. These findings will be incorporated into a physical model that will be coupled to an existing ecosystem model. The land/ocean margin ecosystem lies at the interface between two ecosystems in which distinctly different groups of decomposers control organic matter degradation. The terrestrial ecosystem is largely dominated by fungal decomposers, while bacterial decomposers dominate the marine ecosystem. Both groups are important in salt marsh-dominated ecosystems. Specific studies will examine, at the level of individual cells and hyphae, the relationship bacteria and fungi in the consortia that decompose standing dead Spartina and other marsh plants and examine how, or if, this changes along the salinity gradient. 6. Funding Source: NSF OCE 9982133 B. Sub-project Description 1. Site Description a. Geographic Location: 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: 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: GCE6 -- Barrier island GCE7 -- Lower coastal plain GCE8 -- Lower coastal plain GCE9 -- Barrier island GCE10 -- Barrier island c. Landform Components: 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: 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: 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: GCE6 -- unspecified GCE7 -- unspecified GCE8 -- unspecified GCE9 -- unspecified GCE10 -- unspecified g. Vegetation Communities: 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: none recorded 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 is part of the GCE-LTER soil monitoring program. Marshes of estuaries on the Georgia coast that varied in inputs of freshwater, were selected for sampling. Locations were randomly selected within the tidal marsh at each site on levees and in plains, and also in dieback areas if present. b. Permanent Plots: none c. Data Collection Duration and Frequency: Seven times between June 2003 and March 2005, replicate measurements were made on the levee and the marsh plain at each site . Soil temperature at 10 cm depth was also measured. Beginning of Observations: Jun 01, 2003 End of Observations: Mar 01, 2005 3. Research Methods a. Field and Laboratory Methods: Soil Respiration -- Soil respiration measurements were taken using a PP Systems EGM-4 respiration unit in which samples were run over a five minute period with the sample cylinder sealed to the soil surface. Temperature was also measured using the EGM-4 temperature probe inserted approximately 10 cm deep into the soil. b. Instrumentation: Gas Analyzer Manufacturer: PP Systems (Model: EGM-4) Parameter: CO2 Concentration (Accuracy: 1%, Readability: 1 ppm, Range: 0-100,000 ppm) Soil Respirometer Manufacturer: PP Systems (Model: SRC-1) Parameter: CO2 Respiration (Accuracy: 1%, ) Protocol: Respiration calculated by plotting the rate of change of CO2 concentration in the chamber. Soil Temperature Probe Manufacturer: PP Systems (Model: STP-1) Parameter: Soil Temperature (Accuracy: 0.5°C, Readability: 1°C, ) c. Taxonomy and Systematics: not applicable d. Permit History: not applicable 4. Project Personnel a. Personnel: Christopher B. Craft b. Affiliations: Indiana University at Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana III. Data Set Status and Accessibility A. Status 1. Latest Update: 19-Feb-2012 2. Latest Archive Date: 18-Nov-2011 3. Latest Metadata Update: 19-Feb-2012 4. Data Verification Status: Reviewed by GCE-LTER 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: GCE LTER Affiliates: Aug 16, 2005, Public: Aug 16, 2006 b. Citation: Data provided by the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Project, supported by funds from NSF OCE 9982133 (data set ORG-GCEM-0508a) 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: ORG-GCEM-0508a_1_2.CSV 2. Size: 406 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: mixed case 6. Quality Control Flag Codes: I = invalid value (out of range), Q = questionable value 7. Authentication Procedures: 8. Calculations: 9. Processing History: Software version: GCE Data Toolbox Version 3.30 (09-Feb-2012) Data structure version: GCE Data Structure 1.1 (29-Mar-2001) Original data file processed: ORG-GCEM-0508.TXT (406 records) Data processing history: 22-Nov-2005: new GCE Data Structure 1.1 created ('newstruct') 22-Nov-2005: 406 rows imported from ASCII data file 'ORG-GCEM-0508.TXT' ('imp_ascii') 22-Nov-2005: 13 metadata fields in file header parsed ('parse_header') 22-Nov-2005: data structure validated ('gce_valid') 22-Nov-2005: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 22-Nov-2005: automatically assigned study date metadata descriptors based on the range of date values in date/time columns (add_studydates) 22-Nov-2005: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 22-Nov-2005: updated 66 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 22-Nov-2005: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 06-Dec-2005: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 06-Dec-2005: updated 66 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 07-Dec-2005: manually edited data set metadata ('ui_editmetadata') 15-Nov-2011: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 15-Nov-2011: updated 57 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 18-Nov-2011: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 18-Nov-2011: updated 57 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 19-Feb-2012: updated 7 metadata fields in the Data, Status sections ('exp_ascii') 19-Feb-2012: updated 15 metadata fields in the Status, Data sections to reflect attribute metadata ('updatecols') 19-Feb-2012: parsed and formatted metadata ('listmeta') B. Variable Information 1. Variable Name: column 1. Site column 2. Year column 3. Month column 4. Marsh_Location column 5. Replicate column 6. Temp_Soil column 7. CO2_Conc_Start column 8. CO2_Conc_End column 9. Respiration_Rate 2. Variable Definition: column 1. GCE-LTER site code column 2. Calendar year of measurement column 3. Calendar month of measurement column 4. Sampling location code (levee or plain) column 5. Replicate number column 6. Soil temperature at 10cm column 7. CO2 levels at start of measurement column 8. CO2 levels at end of measurement column 9. Respiration rate (change in CO2 concentration per hour) 3. Units of Measurement: column 1. none column 2. YYYY column 3. MM column 4. none column 5. none column 6. °C column 7. ppm column 8. ppm column 9. g/m^2/hr 4. Data Type a. Storage Type: column 1. integer column 2. integer column 3. integer column 4. alphanumeric column 5. integer column 6. floating-point column 7. floating-point column 8. floating-point column 9. floating-point b. Variable Codes: Site: 1 = GCE1 (Eulonia), 2 = GCE2 (Four Mile Island), 3 = GCE3 (North Sapelo), 4 = GCE4 (Meridian), 5 = GCE5 (Folly River), 6 = GCE6 (Dean Creek), 7 = GCE7 (Carrs Island), 8 = GCE8 (Aligator Creek), 9 = GCE9 (Rockdedundy Island), 10 = GCE10 (Hunt Dock) Marsh_Location: Levee = stream-side levee, Plain = marsh plain, Dieback = marsh dieback zone c. Numeric Range: column 1. 6 to 10 column 2. 2003 to 2005 column 3. 1 to 11 column 4. (none) column 5. 1 to 8 column 6. 10 to 30 column 7. 323 to 634 column 8. 332 to 682 column 9. 0 to 10 d. Missing Value Code: 5. Data Format a. Column Type: column 1. numerical column 2. numerical column 3. numerical column 4. text column 5. numerical column 6. numerical column 7. numerical column 8. numerical column 9. numerical b. Number of Columns: 9 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. 2 6. Logical Variable Type: column 1. coded value (discrete) column 2. datetime (discrete) column 3. datetime (discrete) column 4. coded value (none) column 5. ordinal (discrete) column 6. data (continuous) column 7. data (continuous) column 8. data (continuous) column 9. calculation (continuous) 7. Flagging Criteria: column 1. x<1="I", x>10="Q" column 2. x<2000="Q" column 3. x<1="I", x>12="I" column 4. flag_notinlist(x,{"Levee","Plain","Dieback"})="I" column 5. x<1="I" column 6. x<0="Q", x>35="Q" column 7. x<0="I" column 8. x<0="I", col_CO2_Conc_End