Desert Fertilization Experiment: investigation of Sonoran desert ecosystem response to atmospheric deposition and experimental nutrient addition, ongoing since 2006
Publication date: 2020-10-02
Author(s):
- Nancy Grimm, Arizona State University
- Sharon Hall, Arizona State University
- Jason Kaye, Penn State
- Jonathan Allen, Allen Analytics LLC
Abstract:
Launched in 2006 with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and leveraged by the CAP LTER, the Carbon and Nitrogen deposition (CNdep) project sought to answer the fundamental question of whether elemental cycles in urban ecosystems are qualitatively different from those in non-urban ecosystems. Ecosystem scientists, atmospheric chemists, and biogeochemists tested the hypothesis that distinct biogeochemical pathways result from elevated inorganic nitrogen and organic carbon deposition from the atmosphere to the land. To test the hypothesis, scientists examined the responsiveness of Sonoran desert ecosystems to nutrient enrichment by capitalizing on a gradient of atmospheric deposition in and around the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Fifteen desert study sites were established, with five locations each west and east of the urban core, and in the urban core in desert preserves. In addition to the gradient of atmospheric deposition in and around the urban core, select study plots at each of the fifteen desert locations receive amendments of nitrogen, phosphorus, or nitrogen + phosphorus fertilizer. Measured variables include soil properties, perennial and annual plant growth, and atmospheric deposition of nitrogen. At the close of the initial grant period, the CAP LTER assumed responsibility for the project, renamed the Desert Fertilization Experiment, which provides a remarkable platform to study the long-term effects of nutrient enrichment on desert ecosystem properties.
Keywords:
plant species composition,
vegetation,
community composition,
plant growth,
foliar nitrogen,
plant biomass,
plants,
nitrogen deposition,
atmospheric deposition,
soil,
soil chemistry,
soil nitrogen,
soil nutrients,
soil phosphorus,
soil properties,
nitrogen,
phosphorus,
fertilizer,
fertilization primary production,
population studies,
movement of organic matter,
movement of inorganic matter,
parks and rivers cap lter,
cap,
caplter,
central arizona phoenix long term ecological research,
arizona,
az,
arid land,
desert preserve,
desert fertilization experiment,
deserts
Temporal Coverage:
2005-12-07 to 2020-06-16
Geographic Coverage:
Geographic Description: desert and desert-remnant regional parks in the CAP LTER study encompassing the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding Sonoran desert region
Bounding Coordinates:
Longitude:-112.5474 to -111.4828
Latitude:33.7268 to 33.0133
Contact:
Information Manager, Central Arizona–Phoenix LTER,
Arizona State University,Global Institute of Sustainability,Tempe
caplter.data@asu.edu
Methods used in producing this dataset:
Show
# fertilizer application
Fertilization with N, P, and N+P of 20 m x 20 m plots at 4 sites each in upwind, core, and downwind positions will be done twice per year to test the hypothesis that urban N deposition pushes the desert system toward P limitation. The level of N addition (as NH4NO3) is chosen to be ~ twice the current maximum deposition rate, i.e., 60 kg kg ha-1 y-1; P addition level is 1/5 (by mass; 1/11 by atoms) that of N at 12 kg ha-1 y-1. Fertilizer is applied to treatment plots each winter and summer to coincide with the bimodal precipitation patterns characteristic of the region. The prescribed weight of dry, granular fertilizer (ammonium-nitrate for nitrogen treatments (N, N+P), triple-super phosphate for phosphorus treatments (P, N+P)) is applied using a hand spreader. As of August 2015, the rate of N fertilizer application was reduced to 30 kg ha-1 y-1, with a resulting N:P ratio of 2.5:1.
# plant root simulator
Soil anion and cation availability are quantified twice annually using ion-exchange membranes. Ion-exchange membranes (Plant Root Simulator (PRS) probes) are provided and analyzed by Western Ag Innovations, Saskatchewan, Canada. Probes for the analysis of soil anions and cations are deployed in pairs at locations under the canopy of *L. tridentata* (n=4) and in inter-plant spaces (n=4) within selected study plots. The probes are inserted vertically into the top 15 cm of soil, and left undisturbed until extraction after approximately 6 weeks in the ground. Upon extraction, the 8 probes of each type (anion/cation) from each habitat (plant/inter-plant) are pooled, washed with distilled water in accordance with protocols outlined by Western Ag Innovations Inc., and shipped overnight to Western Ag Innovations Inc. for analysis. PRS probe analyses typically focus on nitrogen species (i.e., NO3-N and NH4-N). However, a broader suite of analytes is assessed approximately every 3-5 years.
# stem growth
Stem length on select *L. tridentata* shrubs are measured twice per year—once in the fall and again in the spring. Five *L. tridentata* shrubs (designated L1 thru L5) have been selected as study plants in each plot at all CN Dep sites. Measurements are taken at 4 points on each study plant—one on a stem facing each of the cardinal directions. Each time the shrubs are measured, a new piece of colored lab tape is placed around the stem, which will be used as the point from which to measure stem elongation during the following period. Field Protocol: Before arriving at the study site, cut ca. 1-inch pieces of lab tape in half length-wise and loosely stick to back of clipboard. Make enough pieces for each direction on each plant (20 per plot). Label each piece with a plant number (L1-L5) on the left side of the tape and a cardinal direction (N, S, E, W) on the right side. Study plants are marked L1 thru L5 with a silver tree tag. For each of the 5 study plants per plot: 1. Measure stem elongation: a. Look for a piece of colored tape in each cardinal direction of the shrub. Make sure the calipers are calibrated to zero and you are measuring in mm. Measure the stem (in mm) from the node directly above the piece of tape to the last node on the stem. b. If the stem branches at any point above the tape, measure each branch separately and record all the branch lengths separated by commas on the datasheet. c. Do not measure the stalks of flowers or fruits. d. If the leaves directly above or below a node have fallen off and the stem is not measurable, make a note on the datasheet. e. If the tape cannot be found, check on the ground around the shrub to see if the tape has fallen off or the branch has died. Note on the datasheet if the tape is missing or the branch is dead. Do not leave any blank spaces on the datasheet! f. Remove the old tape from the stem. 2.Measure re-taped stem lengths: a. Re-tape the stem with a new piece of tape. Place the tape close to the end of the stem, but with a measurable internode between the tape and the end of the stem. b. Measure the re-taped stem lengths as above and record on the datasheet.
# leaf tissue ICPMS
Field collection: (1) Randomly choose 5 creosote plants in each of the 5 study plots for every site (15 sites total). Do not choose shrubs chosen for stem-elongation (growth) measurements. (2) From each plant, randomly select one stem in each of 4 cardinal directions. (3) From each stem, pick 4, fully developed leaf pairs from the green section of the primary stem. We are defining fully developed leaves as those that are just behind the newest leaves (the newest leaves are the 2 undeveloped green ones plus the ones just attached to them). Do not choose leaves that are farther back down the stem or leaves that are brown and/or damaged. (4) Place all leaves from each plot in a coin envelope. (5) Place coin envelopes into a dryer (60 degrees C) upon returning to the laboratory or within 48 h. Lab processing: (1) Rinse all picked leaves with DI water in a clean fine meshed sieve and place in a coin envelope with the site name, plot name, and date processed. (2) Dry all leaves in coin envelopes at 70 degrees C for at least 48 h before grinding. (3) Fill polycarb vial approximately 1/2 full with leaf litter, add one of the polycarb balls and cap vial, place vials in ball mill chamber and mill for 10 minutes. ICPMS: Dried and milled *L. tridentata* leaf tissue is microwave digested using a CEM MARSXpress. Approximately 0.2500 g of sample was allowed to react with 10 mL of Trace Metal Grade nitric acid (Fisher \#A509-P212) for 15 minutes, uncapped, then ran on the CEM using the following method: 1600W at 100% power, ramped up to 180 degrees C over the course of 15 minutes, and held at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes. Samples were diluted at 100X prior to being run by ICP-MS. Samples were analyzed using a Thermo Fisher Scientific X Series 2 quadrapole ICP-MS and Cetac ASX- 520 autosampler. Sample introduction consisted of a conical spray chamber with impact bead and concentric nebulizer with a flow of ~1 ml/min. The spray chamber was cooled to 3 degrees C by a Peltier cooling system. Collision Cell Technology (CCT) mode was utilized to reduce interferences by the argon gas used to generate the plasma by using a mixture of 7% hydrogen and 93% helium for the following elements: Fe, Se, As, and Ca. All other elements were run in normal mode. Internal standards (Sc, Ge, Y, In, and Bi) were used to compensate for sample matrix effects and instrument variability.
# annuals biomass
Each spring when there is sufficient rainfall, we estimate aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of herbaceous annual plants in each of the Desert Fertilization Experiment study plots by harvesting the aboveground portion of annual herbs from a 1/2 m x 1/2 m section of established 1 m x 1 m sub-plots. These plots are distinguished from similar 1 m x 1 m sub-plots that are used for community composition. Take care to avoid the community composition sub-plots! Only harvest the sub-plots that are designated for biomass. Protocol overview: In each Desert Fertilization experiment plot, we established 4 biomass sub-plots per plot, two in each of two patch types, between shrubs (IP for inter-plant space) and under the canopies of *L. tridentata* (P for under plant). Each sub-plot is coded with the patch type (IP or P); the letter B for biomass (to distinguish it from the community composition sub-plots, which are not harvested and do not have a letter B after the patch type code); and the sub-plot number (1 or 2). For example, IPB1 & IPB2 are interplant space sub=plots one and two, and PB1 & PB2 are sub-plots 1 and 2 under *L. tridentata* shrubs. Remember that the biomass sub-plots are distinguished from the community composition sub-plots with the letter B after the patch type code (example, IPB1 = Biomass sub-plot 1, inter-plant space). Within each 1 m x 1 m biomass sub-plot, teams will clip aboveground annual biomass from one 1/2 m x 1/2 m quadrat in each 1-meter biomass sub-plot. This sub-section is rotated each year so that any given patch of ground is harvested at the most once every four years. Teams will carefully write the plot identifier on paper bags. (Double-check the labels! Labeling mistakes are the most common error in this procedure). Then teams will cut all green and brown herbaceous plant biomass that occurs within the boundaries of the 1/2 m x 1/2 m sub section and place it in the pre-labeled bag. After the harvest is complete, teams will dry the bags and biomass at 60 degrees C for 48 hr then weigh the biomass (subtracting the weight of the bag) on a scale and record.
annuals composition
Overview: In spring 2008 within each site, the CAP LTER randomly chose and permanently marked four 1 m x 1 m sub-plots within each 20 m x 20 m main plot, split between two patch types, under *L. tridentata* shrubs and inter-plant spaces (hereafter, under L. tridentata, P and Inter-plant space; IP). At peak herbaceous biomass (in approximately March of each year), percent cover of all annual herbaceous species rooted within these four plots (two each under L. tridentata and in interplant spaces i.e. between shrubs) will be estimated. Note that there are also four 1 m x 1 m Biomass sub-plots in each 20 m x 20 m plot – these are different than the community composition plots described here because they are clipped each year while the community composition plots are not. Care should be taken in the field to identify the correct four plots for community composition and avoid the four plots to be harvested for biomass. Steps: 1. On the top of the data sheet (See Table 3 for sample), record the date; names of the sampling crew (i.e. plant identifier, recorder); site (three letter code); plot number (1 to 75); treatment (C1 – no sampling from C2 plots, Nitrogen \[N\], Phosphorus \[P\], and Nitrogen+Phosphorus \[NP\]). Double check the plot numbers and sub-plot numbers! 2. All observers should first calibrate their percent cover estimates on several test plots in the field prior to percent cover measurements. You want to make sure all botanists are seeing the plots similarly. 3. Place the 1 m x 1 m quadrat over the corner rebar at each 1-m2 plot. Working in teams of two (one recorder, one plant identifier), proceed through the steps below. 4. Estimate and record (at the bottom of the data sheet) the relative areal cover of plant matter (e.g. green material) versus bare ground (e.g. brown material) at the soil surface in the plot (e.g. 70% green, 30% brown). If there are soil crusts, measure those as well in a separate category. 5. Identify which annual species are present in the plot and mark a small dot in the corner of the datasheet to easily find later. Use roughly the same amount of effort in each plot to find plant species. As you get better, it will take less time because you are getting more skilled; as you get tired, it will take more time; in simpler systems, it will take less time. There is no a priori way to know when you are using the same amount of effort, but this is usually approximated by time (in minutes: typically 1-3 minutes per species). Each botanist should do some test plots to see how long it takes him/her to find all the species in the plot. Different botanists will take different amounts of time to apply the same effort– this is okay – but the same botanist should use approximately the same amount of time per plot. 6. Next, estimate and record the cover of each species individually to the nearest whole number (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%...97%, 98%, 99%, 100%). If a species is present in a plot, but does not cover a full 1%, record it as <1%. The sum of all individual species cover can be greater than 100% since some species overlap. 7. Finally, estimate and record the cover of the overstory shrubs within the plot or overhanging the plot. We estimate cover for all annuals rooted in the quadrat, but areal cover of any shrubs rooted in or hanging over the plot. For IP plots, this will be zero most of the time (i.e. unless there is a large shrub nearby that has grown over the plot). For P plots, this will be have two components: (1) the areal projection of the shrub onto the 2-D grid, and (2) the area of the stem base or any other shrub stems. It is expected that the cover of the shrubs overlap the herbaceous species. However if two shrub species overlap in their cover aggregate these into a single larger individual (rare case). 8. Unknown species are recorded with unique identifiers (e.g., Unknown 1, Unknown 2, etc.) along with a visual description of the plant and a picture to be used to help identify the unknown in the lab. When possible, a sample of the unknown species should be collected from outside of the plot in a labeled coin envelope and brought to the herbarium to be identified. Unknown species are usually very small and or undeveloped, and may not be able to be identified to species – this is okay. Err on the side of lumping unknown species into other known species in the same plot. 9. Use caution not to include the percent cover of desiccated/dead plants within the plots from the previous season (these can usually be identified easily as white, old plant material). However, depending on the timing of data collection, some herbaceous plants from the current growing season may have passed peak biomass and already begun to desiccate (dry out or senesce). In this case, estimate the percent cover of these plants as if they were at peak biomass. 10. Before you leave a site, confirm that you have datasheets for all plots and sub-plots, and that there are no duplicates or ambiguous plot labels on your sheet.
# measuring bulk and throughfall NO3 and NH4 deposition
Ion exchange resin (IER) collectors are used to measure bulk (wet) deposition in interplant open spaces and throughfall (wet and dry) deposition under the dominant shrub. Both bulk and throughfall collectors are deployed with 2 replicates at each site. Collectors are deployed continuously over four 3-month sampling intervals per year – approximately January to March, March to June, June to September, and September to December. Collectors are in the field for an average deployment of 89 days.
Bulk and throughfall IER collectors are constructed with a modified design following Fenn and Poth (2004) and Simkin and colleagues (2004). For each sampling period, IER collectors are made with hydrochloric acid-washed supplies. Each IER collector consisted of a 12-inch PVC pipe filled with 60 mL Monosphere Dowex Resin (Dow Chemical Company). Due to supply issues, Amerlite IRN-150 ion exchange resin replaced Monosphere Dowex in spring 2019. The resin-filled pipe was closed on one end with a PVC cap with 5 – 7 holes drilled for drainage and filled with glass wool to prevent resin loss. On the other end of the resin-filled PVC pipe, nitex screening is used to prevent debris in the resin and a plastic funnel (open area = 314 cm2) is placed onto the top. The funnel is covered with mesh and a bird spikes to prevent debris contamination of the resin.
In the field, bulk collectors are installed 1.5 meters above the ground on rebar in open space areas without canopy cover. Throughfall collectors are placed under *L. tridentata*, where 2-ft holes were dug and filled partly with aquarium rocks to allow for drainage during storms. All IER collectors (including the funnels and the *L. tridentata* branches for throughfall collectors) are rinsed with 500 mL di-ionized water before being collected at the end of the sampling period. In addition, field blanks are prepared without a funnel and instead capped on both ends. Field blanks are deployed at one urban (DBG) and two outlying sites (WTM and LDP) with three replicates at each site for both bulk and throughfall field blanks.
After exposed samplers are collected in the field, NH4 and NO3 ions are extracted from each resin sample with 200 mL 2M potassium chloride (KCl) solution. KCl-resin slurries are shaken for one hour and then filtered through Whatman 42 filters pre-leached with KCl. In addition, three KCl extract blanks are prepared. All KCl extracts are analyzed on the continuous flow injection Lachat QuikChem 8000 (Lachat Instruments) for NH4 and NO3.
Data Files (10) :
Tabular:
632_annuals_biomass_bc886304cb737494c5f3f010199099a7.csv
Description: Biomass (g) of annual plants harvested from subplots within Desert Fertilization study plots. One-meter subplots include locations around a Larrea tridentata plant and locations in the interplant space between shrubs. Material is harvested from 0.25 square meter quadrats within each subplot. All harvests occur during the spring.
Temporal Coverage: 2008-03-07 to 2019-04-26
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
plot_id |
plot id number
|
string |
|
treatment_code |
treatment name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
NP: nitrogen + phosphorus amendment
|
location_within_plot |
habitat within plot where probes were deployed
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
IP: subplot located in an interplant space
-
P: subplot features a Larrea tridentata plant
|
subplot |
subplot number (one of two replicates)
|
string |
|
subquad_orientation |
direction of subquadrat from which biomass was harvested
|
string |
|
date |
date of data collection
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
year |
year of data collection
|
date |
Format: YYYY |
mass |
mass of biomass harvested in 0.25 meterSquare quadrat
|
float |
gram |
notes |
field and_or processing notes
|
string |
|
Tabular:
632_annuals_composition_aa7662bbb61836a9c8ad2eb4fe1cbf68.csv
Description: Composition of annual plants and some other characteristics (e.g., bare soil, base or canopy of perennial plants) at subplots within Desert Fertilization study plots. One-meter subplots include locations around a Larrea tridentata plant and locations in the interplant space between shrubs. All measurements collected in the spring.
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
plot_id |
plot id number
|
string |
|
treatment_code |
treatment name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
NP: nitrogen + phosphorus amendment
|
location_within_plot |
habitat within plot where probes were deployed
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
IP: subplot located in an interplant space
-
P: subplot features a Larrea tridentata plant
|
subplot |
subplot number (one of two replicates)
|
string |
|
date |
date of data collection
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
year |
year of data collection
|
date |
Format: YYYY |
collector |
initials of subplot surveyors
|
string |
|
cover_type |
taxon of annual plant, plot characteristic, or logistical note
|
string |
|
cover_category |
nature of the observation (taxonomic, general plot characteristic, logistical)
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
annual: observation referring to a type of plant
-
plot characteristic: observation referring to characteristic of the plot other than cover of a specific type of annual plant
-
record_keeping: entry for record keeping, typically whether the plot was survyed
|
cover_amount |
proportion of subplot as a decimal fraction of this type
|
float |
dimensionless |
Tabular:
632_atmospheric_deposition_1f006ee7b0cbb0980804e906b9550d72.csv
Description: ammonium-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen as measured by ion exchange resin (IER) collectors that are used to measure bulk (wet) deposition in interplant open spaces and throughfall (wet and dry) deposition under the dominant shrub
Temporal Coverage: 2008-09-08 to 2020-03-23
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
run_id |
unique identifer of Lachat run provided primarily to allow users to associate blanks with samples
|
string |
|
field_id |
sample identifer
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG.IP CNTL1: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant control repliate number 1
-
DBG.IP CNTL2: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant control repliate number 2
-
DBG.IP CNTL3: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant control repliate number 3
-
DBG.IP1: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant replicate number 1
-
DBG.IP1.6MONTH: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant collected at a 6-month interval replicate number 1
-
DBG.IP2: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant replicate number 2
-
DBG.IP2.6MONTH: Desert Botanical Garden inter-plant collected at a 6-month interval replicate number 2
-
DBG.LATR CNTL1: Desert Botanical Garden under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 1
-
DBG.LATR CNTL2: Desert Botanical Garden under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 2
-
DBG.LATR CNTL3: Desert Botanical Garden under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 3
-
DBG.LATR1: Desert Botanical Garden under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
DBG.LATR2: Desert Botanical Garden under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
EME.IP1: Estrella Mountain Park east inter-plant replicate number 1
-
EME.IP2: Estrella Mountain Park east inter-plant replicate number 2
-
EME.LATR1: Estrella Mountain Park east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
EME.LATR2: Estrella Mountain Park east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
EMW.IP1: Estrella Mountain Park east inter-plant replicate number 1
-
EMW.IP2: Estrella Mountain Park east inter-plant replicate number 2
-
EMW.LATR1: Estrella Mountain Park east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
EMW.LATR2: Estrella Mountain Park east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
GTW IP1 (Gateway/Thompson): McDowell Sonoran Preserve Gateway Thompson Peak inter-plant replicate number 1
-
GTW IP2 (Gateway/Thompson): McDowell Sonoran Preserve Gateway Thompson Peak inter-plant replicate number 2
-
KCl_blank: solution blanks of the 0.2 M KCl extract solution that is run through a filter; this solution is used to construct the standard curves
-
LDP.IP CNTL1: Lost Dutchman State Park inter-plant control replicate number 1
-
LDP.IP CNTL2: Lost Dutchman State Park inter-plant control replicate number 2
-
LDP.IP CNTL3: Lost Dutchman State Park inter-plant control replicate number 3
-
LDP.IP1: Lost Dutchman State Park inter-plant replicate number 1
-
LDP.IP2: Lost Dutchman State Park inter-plant replicate number 2
-
LDP.LATR CNTL1: Lost Dutchman State Park under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 1
-
LDP.LATR CNTL2: Lost Dutchman State Park under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 2
-
LDP.LATR CNTL3: Lost Dutchman State Park under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 3
-
LDP.LATR1: Lost Dutchman State Park under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
LDP.LATR2: Lost Dutchman State Park under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
LVE IP3 104th&Bell Levytrail: McDowell Sonoran Preserve Bell Road inter-plant replicate number 3
-
LVE IP4 104th&Bell Levytrail: McDowell Sonoran Preserve Bell Road inter-plant replicate number 4
-
MCN.IP1: McDowell Mountain Park north inter-plant replicate number 1
-
MCN.IP2: McDowell Mountain Park north inter-plant replicate number 2
-
MCN.LATR1: McDowell Mountain Park north under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
MCN.LATR2: McDowell Mountain Park north under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
MCS.IP1: McDowell Mountain Park south inter-plant replicate number 1
-
MCS.IP1.6MONTH: McDowell Mountain Park south inter-plant collected at a 6-month interval replicate number 1
-
MCS.IP2: McDowell Mountain Park south inter-plant replicate number 2
-
MCS.IP2.6MONTH: McDowell Mountain Park south inter-plant collected at a 6-month interval replicate number 2
-
MCS.LATR1: McDowell Mountain Park south under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
MCS.LATR2: McDowell Mountain Park south under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
PWP.IP1: Piestewa Peak inter-plant replicate number 1
-
PWP.IP2: Piestewa Peak inter-plant replicate number 2
-
PWP.LATR1: Piestewa Peak under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
PWP.LATR2: Piestewa Peak under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
resin.KCl.1: run blank constructed by performing the complete extraction procedure on an aliquot of clean resin material that was not deployed in the field or otherwise used in any way replicate 1
-
resin.KCl.2: run blank constructed by performing the complete extraction procedure on an aliquot of clean resin material that was not deployed in the field or otherwise used in any way replicate 1
-
resin.KCl.3: run blank constructed by performing the complete extraction procedure on an aliquot of clean resin material that was not deployed in the field or otherwise used in any way replicate 1
-
SME.IP1: South Mountain east inter-plant replicate number 1
-
SME.IP2: South Mountain east inter-plant replicate number 2
-
SME.LATR1: South Mountain east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
SME.LATR2: South Mountain east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
SMW.IP CNTL1: South Mountain west inter-plant control replicate number 1
-
SMW.IP CNTL2: South Mountain west inter-plant control replicate number 2
-
SMW.IP CNTL3: South Mountain west inter-plant control replicate number 3
-
SMW.IP1: South Mountain west inter-plant replicate number 1
-
SMW.IP2: South Mountain west inter-plant replicate number 2
-
SMW.LATR CNTL1: South Mountain west under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 1
-
SMW.LATR CNTL2: South Mountain west under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 2
-
SMW.LATR CNTL3: South Mountain west under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 3
-
SMW.LATR1: South Mountain west under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
SMW.LATR2: South Mountain west under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
SNE.IP1: Sonoran Monument east inter-plant replicate number 1
-
SNE.IP2: Sonoran Monument east inter-plant replicate number 2
-
SNE.LATR1: Sonoran Monument east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
SNE.LATR2: Sonoran Monument east under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
SNW.IP1: Sonoran Monument west inter-plant replicate number 1
-
SNW.IP2: Sonoran Monument west inter-plant replicate number 2
-
SNW.LATR1: Sonoran Monument west under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
SNW.LATR2: Sonoran Monument west under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
SRR.IP1: Salt River Recreation area inter-plant replicate number 1
-
SRR.IP2: Salt River Recreation area inter-plant replicate number 2
-
SRR.LATR1: Salt River Recreation area under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
SRR.LATR2: Salt River Recreation area under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
UMP.IP1: Usury Mountain Park inter-plant replicate number 1
-
UMP.IP2: Usury Mountain Park inter-plant replicate number 2
-
UMP.LATR1: Usury Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
UMP.LATR2: Usury Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
-
WTM.IP CNTL1: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant control replicate number 1
-
WTM.IP CNTL2: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant control replicate number 2
-
WTM.IP CNTL3: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant control replicate number 3
-
WTM.IP1: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant replicate number 1
-
WTM.IP1.6MONTH: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant collected at a 6-month interval replicate number 1
-
WTM.IP2: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant replicate number 2
-
WTM.IP2.6MONTH: White Tank Mountain Park inter-plant collected at a 6-month interval replicate number 2
-
WTM.LATR CNTL1: White Tank Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 1
-
WTM.LATR CNTL2: White Tank Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 2
-
WTM.LATR CNTL3: White Tank Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata control replicate number 3
-
WTM.LATR1: White Tank Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata replicate number 1
-
WTM.LATR2: White Tank Mountain Park under Larrea tridendata replicate number 2
|
collection_date |
date collectors are extracted from their deployment in the field
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
notes |
technician notes regarding conditions in the field or sample processing
|
string |
|
analyte_name |
nitrogen species measured (ammonium-nitrogen or nitrate-nitrogen)
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
Ammonia: ammonium-nitrogen
-
NItrate/Nitrite: nitrate-nitrogen
|
concentration |
concentration of nitrogen species measured as ammonium-nitrogen or nitrate-nitrogen
|
float |
milligramPerLiter |
Tabular:
632_fertilizer_application_d48c5ff4379202ccebd6fd958b67551b.csv
Description: catalog of amounts and timing of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer applications to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen+phosphorus (N+P) treatment plots
Temporal Coverage: 2008-06-26 to 2020-03-27
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
application_date |
date of fertilizer application
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
nitrogen |
amount of ammonium-nitrate nitrogen fertilizer applied to 20mx20m nitrogen (N) and nitrogen+phosphorus (N+P) treatment plots
|
float |
kilogram |
phosphorus |
amount of triple-super phosphate phosphorus fertilizer applied to 20mx20m phosphorus (P) and nitrogen+phosphorus (N+P) treatment plots
|
float |
kilogram |
Tabular:
632_plant_root_simulator_e01096fe5099f484c7932a3a5b30359f.csv
Description: Soil ion concentrations as determined with Plant Root Simulator (PRS®) probes (ion exchange resin membranes). Probes for the analyses of soil anions have a positively-charged membrane to simultaneously attract and adsorb all negatively-charged anions, such as nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (H2PO4-, HPO42-), and sulphate (SO42-), whereas cation probes have a negatively-charged membrane to simultaneously attract and adsorb all positively-charged cations, such as ammonium (NH4+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and magnesium (Mg2+).
Temporal Coverage: 2008-06-18 to 2019-12-06
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
BLK: refers to a blank for chemistry data
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
plot_id |
plot id number
|
string |
|
treatment_code |
treatment name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
NP: nitrogen + phosphorus amendment
|
start_date |
date of probe deployment
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
end_date |
date of probe extraction
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
analyte |
analyte measured
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
Total-N: sum of NO3-N and NH4-N
|
final_value |
analyte concentration
|
float |
microgramPerTenSquareCentimeterPerBurialLength |
flag |
data quality flag
|
string |
|
location_within_plot |
habitat within plot where probes were deployed
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
between_plant: probes buried between plant canopies
-
blank: field blank: probe stored in a clean container under refrigeration during the deployment period
-
blk_washed: field blank (washed): probe stored in a clean container under refrigeration during the deployment period, and washed as per sample probes
-
under_plant: probes buried beneath the canopy of Larrea tridentata
|
num_cation_probes |
number of probes designated for analysis of cations recovered (of four)
|
float |
number |
num_anion_probes |
number of probes designated for analysis of anions recovered (of four)
|
float |
number |
Tabular:
632_stem_growth_e4b756fc85d5feba5680b51c1bcf2d74.csv
Description: Biannual measures of stem growth on five Larrea tridentata study plants in Desert Fertilization experiment treatment and control plots
Temporal Coverage: 2005-12-07 to 2020-06-16
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
plot_id |
plot id number
|
string |
|
treatment_code |
treatment name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
NP: nitrogen + phosphorus amendment
|
scientific_name |
scientific name of plant measured
|
string |
|
shrub_code |
study plant identifier
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
L1: Larrea tridentata study plant #1
-
L2: Larrea tridentata study plant #2
-
L3: Larrea tridentata study plant #3
-
L4: Larrea tridentata study plant #4
-
L5: Larrea tridentata study plant #5
|
direction |
direction or quadrant of plant in which measured stem is positioned
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
East: stem in east quadrant of plant
-
North: stem in north quadrant of plant
-
South: stem in south quadrant of plant
-
West: stem in west quadrant of plant
|
pre_date |
date of initial or pre stem-length measurement
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
post_date |
date of final or post stem-length
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
post_note |
field note regarding final or post stem-length measurement
|
string |
|
post_measurement |
boolean indicator denoting whether the measurement is a pre or initial stem-length measurement (FALSE), or a final or post stem-length measurement (TRUE)
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
FALSE: initial: pre stem-length measurement
-
TRUE: final: post stem-length measurement
|
stem_length |
length of stem
|
float |
millimeter |
stem_comment |
field note(s) regarding particular shrub or measurement
|
string |
|
plot_comment |
field note(s) regarding particular the plot or site
|
string |
|
Tabular:
632_tissue_chn_afe0b7ab22a125129ed243a3845ae7b2.csv
Description: CHN (Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen) elemental analysis of Larrea tridentata leaf tissue and Pectocarya recurvata (whole plant) tissue collected from control plots at Desert Fertilization study sites.
Temporal Coverage: 2015-05-26 to 2018-05-18
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
plot_id |
plot identifier
|
string |
|
treatment_code |
treatment name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
NP: nitrogen + phosphorus amendment
|
sample_date |
date of leaf (Larrea) or plant (Pectocarya) collection
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
season_year |
season and year of collection (for easier sorting)
|
string |
|
tissue_type |
source of tissue material
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
Larrea tridentata: Larrea tridentata leaf tissue
-
Pectocarya recurvata: Pectocarya recurvata whole-plant tissue
|
analyte |
element analyzed
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
Hydrogen %: percent hydrogen
-
Nitrogen %: percent nitrogen
|
Weight |
weight of material used for analysis
|
float |
gram |
percent_composition |
percent composition of analyte
|
float |
dimensionless |
Comment |
comment about analytical measurement
|
string |
|
Tabular:
632_tissue_icp_9deb3c6f2a60ae7ebf82b947ff094476.csv
Description: Elemental composition of Larrea tridentata leaf tissue and Pectocarya recurvata (whole plant) tissue collected from control plots at Desert Fertilization study sites. Most analyses are by ICP-MS except Sulfur (S), which is typically analyzed by ICP-OES with the instrument type noted in the instrument field.
Temporal Coverage: 2009-05-04 to 2016-10-12
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
site_code |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
DBG: core region: Desert Botanical Garden
-
EME: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park east
-
EMW: west region: Estrella Mountain Regional Park west
-
LDP: east region: Lost Dutchman State Park
-
MCN: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional north
-
MCS: east region: McDowell Mountain Regional south
-
MVP: core region: North Mountain
-
PWP: core region: Piestewa Peak
-
SME: core region: South Mountain Park east
-
SMW: core region: South Mountain Park west
-
SNE: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument east
-
SNW: west region: Sonoran Desert National Monument west
-
SRR: east region: Salt River Recreation Area (Tonto NF)
-
UMP: east region: Usery Mountain Regional Park
-
WTM: west region: White Tanks Mountain Regional Park
|
plot_id |
plot identifier
|
string |
|
treatment_code |
treatment name abbreviation
|
string |
|
sample_date |
date of leaf (Larrea) or plant (Pectocarya) collection
|
date |
Format: YYYY-MM-DD |
season_year |
season and year of collection (for easier sorting)
|
string |
|
tissue_type |
source of tissue material
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
Larrea tridentata: Larrea tridentata leaf tissue
-
Pectocarya spp.: Pectocarya spp. whole-plant tissue
|
instrument |
instrument employed for tissue analysis
|
string |
Enumeration:
-
ICP-MS: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
-
ICP-OES: Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer
|
isotope_element |
isotope atomic mass and element symbol, except Sulfur (S; element symbol only)
|
string |
|
concentration |
mass of isotope_element per mass of leaf material
|
float |
milligramPerKilogram |
source_file |
file name corresponding to raw data for the observation (raw data available as another entity in this data set)
|
string |
|
Spatial Vector:
632_desert_fertilization_sampling_sites.kml
Description: approximate location of desert fertilization long-term study sites
Horizontal Coordinate System:GCS_WGS_1984
Geometry Type: Polygon
Column |
Description |
Type |
Units |
Name |
site name abbreviation
|
string |
|
description |
study site location description
|
string |
|
File:
632_raw_icp_cd7dc5022886f5d4365871bdf1647724.zip
Description: This zipped file contains the raw ICP-MS and ICP-OES data (as XSLM and xls files) pertaining to the analyses of Larrea tridentata leaf tissue and Pectocarya recurvata plant tissue samples. The calculated concentrations are presented in an analysis-friendly format in the data entity 'tissue_icp' that is part of this dataset; the raw data file from which the calculated concentrations were derived is referenced in the source_file field of the tissue_icp data entity.