Marsh

Marsh surface elevation data in fertilization plots of a Spartina alterniflora-dominated salt marsh at Goat Island, North Inlet, Georgetown, SC.

Abstract: 

A Surface Elevation Table (SET) is used to measure changes in the elevation of the marsh platform in fertilization plots of a Spartina alterniflora-dominated marsh on the Goat Island, North Inlet, Georgetown, SC.

Core Areas: 

Data set ID: 

122

Keywords: 

Short name: 

LTE-MP-NIN-SET-means

Purpose: 

 

Data sources: 

LTE-MP-NIN-SET-means_csv
LTE-MP-NIN-SET-means_xls

Methods: 

Sampling Description:

Triplicate original-style SET benchmark posts were permanently installed in the high marsh (HM) and low marsh (LM) on the marsh platform in a Spartina alterniflora-dominated marsh at Goat Island, North Inlet, Georgetown, SC.  Each SET sampling site consists of a permanently installed post and a removable arm.  The arm has a vertical and a horizontal component.  The vertical component fits into the SET benchmark post; the horizontal component reaches out over the experimental subplot and has a square plate at the end through which 9 pins are lowered.  Each SET post is associated with two adjacent plots (one control, one NP fertilized).  The treated plots were fertilized with NH4NO3 and P2O5 for a final annual application rate of 26.7 mol N/m2/y and 12.3 mol P/m2/y from May 1996 (HM) or Jan 2001 (LM) until Aug 2004. Each SET benchmark post is positioned such that 27 elevation readings can be taken in a fertilized plot (9 readings in 3 subplots) and 27 elevation readings can be taken in a control plot.  Plots are numbered.  Subplots are lettered A-F. 

To measure elevations, the SET arm is locked in place over each subplot, is leveled, and the 9 fiberglass pins are lowered to touch the sediment surface and held in place with a clip.  Pin heights are measured from the top of the nut on the plate to the top of the pin, and read into a digital recorder.  The recordings are transcribed into one master SET pin height data set.  Surface elevations are measured approximately monthly.

The SET was manufactured by Nolan’s Machine Shop in Lafayette LA; 337-235-5261.  Replacement pins or collars can be purchased from Nolan’s.  Stainless steel parts (roll pins etc) come from McMaster-Carr.  Measuring pins are held in place with badge clips, available at office supply stores.

Numerical Processing:

Data are reported as the mean change in elevation and standard error of the 3 replicate plots (n=81) over time.  Change in marsh elevation is determined by subtracting pin height at time X from the mean pin height for the subplot at time 0.  Statistics were performed using SAS (SAS System for Windows; release 9.1; SAS Institute, Inc; Cary, NC).

Elevation

LTE-MP-NIN-GIHM approx  0.5 meters NAVD88

LTE-MP-NIN-GILM approx  0.2 meters NAVD88

Maintenance: 

Collections occur approximately every month. Database is updated once annually, usually in the winter. Study and data collection are ongoing as of Jan 2017.

Version 01: July 11, 2006 Level 3+ EML using Jim Laundre's Excel program
Version 02: January 10, 2007 data and metadata update
Version 03: March 13, 2008 Data and metadata update
Version 04: February 20, 2009 Data and metadata update
Version 05: January 13, 2010 Data and metadata update
Version 06: October 26, 2011 Data and metadata update. File name change from LTE-MP-NIN-elevationmeans to LTE-MP-NIN-SETmeans for consistency with other SET data files
Version 07: January 12, 2012, 2011 data and metadata update, using MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007.xlsm 1/12/12 11:51AM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 08, 28Mar2012, dataset title metadata update. Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007.xlsm 3/23/2012 12:08 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 09: March 15, 2013, 2012 data and metadata updated to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Research location name and description updated.Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007.xlsm 3/14/13 12:02 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 10: April 17, 2014, 2013 data and metadata updated to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Research location name and description updated.Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007_Sep2013.xlsm 9/30/13 02:57 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 11: April 17, 2014, 2013 data (column order changed) and metadata updated to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Research location name and description updated.Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007_Sep2013.xlsm 9/30/13 02:57 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 12: February 10, 2015, data and metadata updates to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007_Jan2015.xlsm 1/15/15 4:26 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 13: February 24, 2016, data and metadata updates to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007_Jan2015.xlsm 1/15/15 4:26 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 14: February 24, 2016, corrected rows of data, data and metadata updates to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007_Jan2015.xlsm 1/15/15 4:26 PM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0
Version 15: September 20, 2017, data and metadata updates to comply with importation to Drupal and LTER PASTA. Used MarcrosExportEML_HTML (working)pie_excel2007_Jun2017.xlsm 6/15/17 10:23 AM for QA/QC to EML 2.1.0

Additional information: 

 

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