+------------------------------------------------------------------+ | JORNADA LTER | | New Mexico State University | | Data Set Documentation Form | +------------------------------------------------------------------+ All Jornada Desert Site NSF/LTER data sets must be documented on the following form. This applies to any data set intended for permanent archiving. All raw data sets collected under the auspices of the Jornada NSF/LTER Program will be described by the following standardized form. Information that is not available at this time, must be included when available. See data manager for any questions regarding this form. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Data set access (RESTRICTED or UNRESTRICTED): --------------------------------------------- RESTRICTED 2) Data set title: --------------- Arthropod pitfall trap-III 3) Project title: -------------- Arthropod Pitfall Traps 4) Responsible investigator(s): ---------------------------- David Lightfoot 5) Date data collection commenced (mm/dd/yyyy): -------------------------------------------- January 1995 (01/1995) 6) Date data collection terminated (mm/dd/yyyy or ONGOING): -------------------------------------------------------- ONGOING 7) Expected duration of study: --------------------------- ONGOING 8) Frequency of measurement: ------------------------- Typically, every 2 months. However, during windy seasons, the traps at M-RABB and M-NORT may need to be collected monthly because of large volumes of sand collecting in the cups. 9) Researchers: (Personnel who will be obtaining data and who would need to be contacted directly if there is a problem in the raw data): ---------------------------------------------------------------- D. Lightfoot "DL", N. Stotz "NS", C. McGlone "CM", S. Gehlhausen "SG", R. Fagerlund "RF" (UNM, sample sorting) 10) Methods of recording (field data sheets, instrumental, etc.): ---------------------------------------------------------------- lab data sheets 11) Site location (Describe in sufficient detail that the site can be relocated): ---------------------------------------------------------------- Jornada LTER III arthropod pitfalls are located at each of the NPP study sites, excluding the 3 playas. (T-WEST, T-EAST, T-TAYL, M-NORT, M-RABB, M-WELL, G-IBPE, G-BASN, G-SUMM, C-SAND, C-CALI, C-GRAV) The following list gives the location for the line of traps for each site relative to the NPP grid: C-GRAV NW corner C-SAND south side C-CALI SW corner G-SUMM NE corner G-BASN east side G-IBPE NW corner M-WELL east side M-RABB west wide M-NORT south side T-TAYL east side T-EAST east side T-WEST south side In addition, there were 12 additional pitfalls at G-IBPE and C-SAND which were used in a cross-site study for comparison to data from the Sevilleta dn Bandelier. These extra pitfalls were in 4 sets of 3, distributed on all sides of the NPP grid (see maps). Each trap was numbered for identification, and these numbers are written on the underside of the tile over each trap. The 12 additional cross-site study pitfall traps were terminated in March 1997. 12) Data set description (State the hypothesis and / or objectives which collection of data set addresses): ---------------------------------------------------------------- Objectives. Desertification is hypothesized to have altered the spatial and temporal availability of resources required by the biota. Results of desertification on the Jornada include changes to shrub dominated communities and major soil changes. We hypothesize that these shifts in vegetation have changed resources temporally for many of the consumers. If grassland systems respond to rainfall without significant lags, but shrub systems do not, then consumer species should reflect these differences. In addition, shifts from grassland to shrubland results in greater structural heterogeneity of the habitats. We have hypothesized that consumer populations, diversity, and densities of some consumers will be higher in grasslands than in shrublands. Diversity and/or densities are hypothesized to be related to the NPP of the sites. Data will be collected for the duration of the LTER program in order to provide data to test these hypotheses. Data for arthropods captured in pitfall traps on LTER III consumer plots at 2 month intervals. Data includes order, family, genus, species, and number. 13) Attributes measured: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Variable name: blank Number of columns between fields CCCCCCCC See attribute description Format: C = character (C3: Three characters [XXX]) I = integer (I2: Integer with two places [##]) F = floating point (F4.2: Total places with decimal point = 4, with 2 decimal places. [#.##]) Variable code: * See attribute description listing See external listing of variable codes N/A = Not applicable VARIABLE MEASURED VARIABLE NAME FORMAT UNITS CODE ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTION -------- -------- -------- -------- ------------------------- MONTH I2 N/A 1-12 Month data was collected blank C1 YEAR I4 N/A 1995-1999 Year data was collected blank C1 ZONE C1 N/A C Veg. zone: Creosotebush G Grassland P Playa M Mesquite dune T Tarbush blank C1 SITE C4 N/A BASN Site location: grassland at lower trailer (BASIN) CALI creosotebush Caliche EAST tarbush east of Jornada Road GRAV creosotebush gravel IBPE grassland at IBP exclosure RABB mesquite at rabbit rain gauge SAND creosotebush sand WELL mesquite at West Well WEST tarbush west of Jornada Road blank C1 PLOT C1 N/A A,B Plot ID blank C1 ORDER C2 N/A N/A Two letter or numeric code for taxonomic order code blank C1 FAMILY C2 N/A N/A Two letter or numeric code for taxonomic family code blank C1 GENUS C2 N/A N/A Two letter or numeric code for taxonomic genus code blank C1 SPECIES C2 N/A N/A Two letter or numeric code for taxonomic genus code blank C1 COUNT I3 N/A 1-999 Number of individuals collected blank C1 ERR I1 N/A 0 Error code: No Problems 1 See data history log 14) Missing or questionable values (describe how these are represented in the data set): ---------------------------------------------------------------- "-" = missing value 15) Methodology (Provide sufficient detail such that an unaware reader could repeat the described data collection procedures.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Arthropod pitfalls were established in January of 1995 at the start of LTER III; this design is significantly different from the pitfalls of LTER II, when lizards and arthropods were collected in the same traps. The new arthropod pitfalls consist of a small tin can (buried flush with the soil surface) in which a plastic cup (10 oz.) fits snugly. The cup is filled (about 3/4 full) with propylene glycol (the "non-toxic" antifreeze, Sierra brand) which captures and preserves any arthropods that stumble in. A ceramic tile shades the trap, supported by 4 nails sticking about 1" above the ground. To minimize rodent damage to the pitfalls, chicken wire fences with lids were installed around each trap. Unfortunately, rodents or lizards smaller than the holes in the chicken wire continued to cause significant damage to the traps after the exclosures were added, so in June 1996, hardware cloth collars were also added to the pitfalls. These collars are squares about 10" on a side with a hole cut in the center for the can & cup combination. Additional holes were cut for any grass clumps surrounding the pitfalls to minimize disturbance to the vegetation. They are buried under a thin layer of soil. Because of concern about the numbers of vertebrates (small rodents and lizards) being caught in the pitfalls, in February 1996, 1/4" hardware cloth ladders (5 " long x 3/4 " wide) were added to the traps. It is hoped that rodents and lizards will be able to escape, while arthropods won't (due to the strength of the surface tension of propylene glycol). The traps are continuously open, and the arthropods in them collected every 2 months. If time permits, the month in between collections, the traps should be checked once, to top off the propylene glycol, and repair any wind/rain/rodent/coyote/vandal damage. During windy seasons, the traps at M-RABB and M-NORT may need to be collected monthly because of large volumes of sand collecting in the cups. Collect these sites monthly if cups become close to 1/2 full of sand in one month's time. Data may be lost if the cups are allowed to fill completely with sand. There are five arthropod pitfalls at each of the NPP study sites, excluding the playas. The five traps are in a line, 15m from each other, marked with orange pin flags. The following list tells where the line of traps for each site is, relative to the NPP grid: C-GRAV=NW corner, C- SAND=south side, C-CALI=SW corner, G-SUMM=NE corner, G- BASN=east side, G-IBPE=NW corner, M-WELL=east side, M- RABB=west side, M-NORT=south side, T-TAYL=east side, T- EAST=east side, T-WEST=south side. In addition, from January 1995 to March 1997, at G-IBPE and C-SAND, there were 12 extra pitfalls, used in a cross-site study for comparison to data from the Sevilleta and Bandelier. These extra pitfalls were in 4 sets of 3, distributed on all sides of the NPP grid (see maps). Each trap was numbered for identification, and these numbers were written on the underside of the tile over each trap. Maintenance Equipment trowel propylene glycol (Sierra brand antifreeze) spare tiles, nails, cups, cans and ladders Collection Equipment maintenance equipment (above) 75% alcohol (3 liters + squirt bottle) collection vials with labels (see sample labels at end of Procedures) tweezers, chopstick, fork strainers (5) funnel Ziploc bags (pint size or smaller) Maintenance Procedure 1. Lift tile off each trap and check that soil is flush with cup edge. If rodents, wind, water, etc. have pulled soil away, replace it. Gravel and rocks can be used to discourage digging and "pave" the area around the cup. (This "paving" is what we tried before installing the hardware cloth collars; hopefully, we won't have to deal with much more of this sort of damage.) 2. Top off the propylene glycol (if necessary) so cup is about 3/4 full. 3. Keep a record of all traps requiring attention. Collection Procedure 1. Remove cup from trap, and dump into strainer placed over spare tin can & cup combination. Thoroughly rinse the pitfall cup with alcohol from squirt bottle; use fork and forceps as necessary to clean out cup. 2. Return strained propylene glycol to cup, top off as necessary, and replace in trap. Do trap maintenance as needed (record all damage to traps). 3. Use funnel to transfer sample to collection vial.*** Knock strainer firmly against funnel to get tiny --> microscopic things off strainer into funnel. Chopstick works well to push arthropods through neck of funnel with small to medium sized collections. If there's more than will fit into one collection vial, use forceps to pack large insects into vials first, then squeeze the rest in around them. (Make sure to add a label to any extra vials used.) Rinse funnel with alcohol into vial, and top off vial with alcohol as necessary. *** The collection kit set up by D. Lightfoot has enough strainers to go into a site (except C-SAND and G-IBPE), collect all 5 traps, and come out and do the transferring to vials back at the truck. Make sure to keep the strainers in order so you know which trap they came from, and use the bungie cords to hold them in place while carrying the kit. 4. The strainers should be knocked soundly against something solid (e.g. a truck tire) to get any remaining mites etc. off them before using them at the next site. The funnel, forceps, chopstick, and fork should be rinsed will with alcohol before use at a different site. Special Procedure for Sandy Traps at M-RABB and M-NORT: Save all sand that accumulates in cups. If volume of sand (not arthropods) would require more than 1 vial, use a ziploc to save the sand. First decant off any free- floating arthropods in propylene glycol (and place in vial as above), then transfer the sand into a ziploc (with a label). Sand will have absorbed plenty of propylene glycol, so no alcohol or propylene glycol needs to be added to the sand for preservation. Sample Labels for Collection Vials C-SAND A 1 C-SAND A 2 C-SAND A 3 C-SAND A 4 C-SAND A 5 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 C-SAND B 1 C-SAND B 2 C-SAND B 3 C-SAND C 1 C-SAND C 2 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 C-SAND C 3 C-SAND D 1 C-SAND D 2 C-SAND D 3 C-SAND E 1 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 C-SAND E 2 C-SAND E 3 C-GRAV 1 C-GRAV 2 C-GRAV 2 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 C-GRAV 3 C-GRAV 4 C-GRAV 5 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 16FEB1996- 18APR1996 18APR1996 18APR1996 Laser jet printer ink is not alcohol soluble and works well for these labels. If additional labels are needed in the field, write (in pencil--many other inks are alcohol soluble) the pitfall number (include the site!) and collection date onto a small square of the heavy bond paper kept in the drawer of the collection kit. You only need enough information on the extra labels to match them up with the complete labels when the samples are processed. 16) Key literature (Citations that describe sampling procedures, [reference of a published paper, thesis, etc.]): ---------------------------------------------------------------- 17) Keywords (keywords that describe data set; maximum of 10): ---------------------------------------------------------------- arthropods, pitfall traps, consumers, populations 18) Treatment of data: (List any programs used in analysis of the data): [Note: Programs should be appended and stored with this form.] ---------------------------------------------------------------- SAS program will be used to analyze data 19) Associated computer accounts: ---------------------------------------------------------------- 20) Files associated with this data set: ---------------------------------------------------------------- A) Metadata files FILE NAME DESCRIPTION OF FILES ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ARTHPIT3.PRJ Project documentation ARTHPIT3.DSD Data set documentation ARTHPIT3.HIS Data set history log ------------ ----------------------------------------------- B) Data files FILE NAME DESCRIPTION OF FILES ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ARTHPIT3.DAT Data file ------------ ----------------------------------------------- C) Data entry, verification, and analysis files FILE NAME DESCRIPTION OF FILES ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- D) Other (Any other related files.) FILE NAME DESCRIPTION OF FILES ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ARTPITSP.LST Arthropod pitfall species list ------------ ----------------------------------------------- 21) Comments (Include any comments here that more fully describe this data set): ---------------------------------------------------------------- 22) Data set documentation history log: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Data set title - Arthropod pitfall trap-III data Data set file name - ARTHPIT3.DSD ---------------------------------------------------------------- mm/dd/yyyy - Date of Comment Int - Initials of person making Comment JPA = John P. Anderson DCL = David C. Lightfoot Changes/Updates - List any changes made to document mm/dd/yyyy Int Changes/Updates ---------- --- ----------------------------------------------- 07/03/1996 JPA Form completed 02/25/1997 JPA Converted data set document file to new format. 03/12/1997 DCL Changed data set name to ARTHPIT3.DSD. ------------------------------------------------------------------- END OF DATA SET FILE -------------------------------------------------------------------