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Periphyton data from LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica (FCE LTER) during 2006, 2007, 2008


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Authors: Evelyn Gaiser
Time period: 2006-12-09 to 2008-03-28
Package id: knb-lter-fce.1160.5
Dataset id: ST_PP_Lahee_002

How to cite:
Gaiser, E.. 2022. Periphyton data from LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica (FCE LTER) during 2006, 2007, 2008. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/6f71911870cb18e274416d0bf297cdc4. Dataset accessed 2024-04-19.

Geographic Coverage


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Detailed Metadata


  • Dataset Abstract
    Several studies have shown that within the Florida Coastal Everglades, periphyton mat properties, (incuding biomass, nutrient and organic content, and community composition) vary predictably in response to water quality.The Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) wetland system is very similar with respect to climate, geology, hydrology and vegetation, to wetlands found in Jamaica, the Yucatan region of Mexico and parts of Belize. This study was therefore conducted to ascertain (i) the level of similarity between the periphyton diatom communities from karstic wetland sites in Belize, Mexico, Jamaica and comparable sites within the FCE, (ii) the relationship between periphyton biomass, TP levels and diatom community composition at these sites, and (iii) the feasibility of employing diatoms as indicators of water quality at these sites, using models relating diatom community composition to water quality from comparable sites within the FCE. Multiple wetland sites in Jamaica, the Yucatan region of Mexico and parts of Belize were visited between 2006 and 2008, during wet and dry seasons. At each site physico-chemical data were collected along with periphyton samples. The periphyton samples were processed in accordance with standard methods to obtain biomass, organic content and TP measures, and to identify and enumerate diatom and soft algae species. Various aspects of the diatom communities were then compared to previously compiled data on diatom communities from various parts of the FCE. SIMI analysis was used to determine the level of similarity between the systems and Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling was used to identify relationships between diatom communities and water quality.
  • Geographic Coverage
    Study Extent Description
    This study was conducted within multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands displaying similar characteristics in three countries. The areas visited included the New River Lagoon in Lamanai Outpost, Indian Church, Belize, the Slip River, Black River Morass, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica and the Sian Ka'an national Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Each wetland area was visited on two occasions intended to represent wet and dry seasons. The Mexico sites were visited in December 2006 ( which is typically a dry period but experienced high rainfall during 2006 and so served as a wet season sampling session) and March 2008 (which is typically a wet period but experienced low rainfall during 2008 and so served as a dry season sampling session). The Belize sites were visited in May 2007 (which served as a dry season sampling session and November 2007 (which served as a wet season sampling session). The Jamaica sites were visited in December 2007 (which served as a dry season sampling session) and March 2008 (which served as a wet season sampling session).

    Bounding Coordinates
    Physico-chemical data and Periphyton mat samples were collected from multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands within the Sian Ka'an National Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico
    N: 19.872, S: 18.787, E: -87.510, W: -87.960

    Physico-chemical data and Periphyton mat samples were collected from multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands within the Sian Ka'an National Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico
    N: 19.827, S: 18.787, E: -87.510, W: -87.960

    Physico-chemical data and Periphyton mat samples were collected from multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands adjacent to the New River Lagoon in Lamanai Outpost, Indian Church, Belize
    N: 17.785, S: 17.735, E: -88.633, W: -88.653

    Physico-chemical data and Periphyton mat samples were collected from multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands adjacent to the New River Lagoon in Lamanai Outpost, Indian Church, Belize
    N: 17.78, S: 17.62, E: -88.63, W: -88.64

    Physico-chemical data and Periphyton mat samples were collected from multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands adjacent to the Slipe River, Black River Morass, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
    N: 18.05, S: 18.03, E: -78.78, W: -77.81

    Physico-chemical data and Periphyton mat samples were collected from multiple calcareous, shallow, short-hydroperiod, Eleocharis-dominated wetlands adjacent to the Slipe River, Black River Morass, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
    N: 18.05, S: 18.03, E: -78.78, W: -77.81

  • Attributes
    • Data Table:   Periphyton data from LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica (FCE) during 2006, 2007, 2008
      Attribute Name:
      Region
      Attribute Label:
      Region
      Attribute Definition:
      Project Descriptor
      Storage Type:
      text
      Measurement Scale:
      B= BELIZE
      Y= YUCATAN,MEXICO
      J= JAMAICA
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Site_ID
      Attribute Label:
      Site_ID
      Attribute Definition:
      Collection Site ID Number
      Storage Type:
      ordinal
      Measurement Scale:
      PETN= Peten North
      PETS= Peten South
      MARN= Marisma North Side
      MAH= Mahahual
      DAHS= Dahlbergia South Side
      LOSS= Los Lerios
      DC= Dawson's Creek
      NC= Nico's Creek
      EL= Eddie's Lagoon
      NRL= New River Lagoon
      BC= Bomb Crater
      CC= Crab Catcher
      LM= Limonal
      SL= Slipe River
      DIGI= Digicel Tower Marsh
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Replicate
      Attribute Label:
      Replicate
      Attribute Definition:
      1 to 7 replicate samples were collected from each site
      Storage Type:
      ordinal
      Measurement Scale:
      1 to 7 replicate samples were collected from each site
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Date
      Attribute Label:
      Sample date
      Attribute Definition:
      Sampling Collection Date
      Storage Type:
      datetime
      Measurement Scale:
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      TOTBIO
      Attribute Label:
      Total biovolume
      Attribute Definition:
      Periphyton + Utricularia purpurea / foliosa or other submerged macrophyte forming basis for the mat, along with epiphytic algae forming sweaters on plants + benthic periphyton; if no periphyton present, floc from bottom or green algae growing on plants collected
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: millimeter
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      BIOV
      Attribute Label:
      Periphyton biovolume
      Attribute Definition:
      Periphyton only biovolume, with no macrophytes
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: millimeter
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      MATTYP
      Attribute Label:
      Mat type
      Attribute Definition:
      Type of mat at sample site
      Storage Type:
      nominal
      Measurement Scale:
      1= Calcareous, 2
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      SOLTYP
      Attribute Label:
      Soil type
      Attribute Definition:
      Type of soil at sample site
      Storage Type:
      nominal
      Measurement Scale:
      1= Rock, 2
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      TP
      Attribute Label:
      Total Phosphorus
      Attribute Definition:
      Total Phosphorus level in mat sample
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: microgramsPerGram
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      DRY
      Attribute Label:
      Dry weight
      Attribute Definition:
      Dry weight of mat sample
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: gramsPerSquareMeter
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      AFDM
      Attribute Label:
      Ash Free Dry Mass
      Attribute Definition:
      Organic content of mat (Dry Weight - Ash Weight)
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: gramsPerSquareMeter
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      ORG
      Attribute Label:
      Organic content
      Attribute Definition:
      Organic content as a proportion of DW (AFDW/DW)
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percent
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      CHLA
      Attribute Label:
      Chlorophyll
      Attribute Definition:
      Chlorophyll content of mat
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: microgramsPerSquareMeter
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      CHLCON
      Attribute Label:
      Chlorophyll concentration
      Attribute Definition:
      Chlorophyll concentration
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: microgramsPerGram
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)


  • Methods
    Sampling Description
    Eleocharis wetland areas were located within the region of interest and before sampling was conducted, water chemistry measurements, including pH, conductivity, salinity and temperature, were taken. At each Eleocharis wetland site, seven 1m2 areas were sampled using 1m2 throw traps. At each plot, a photograph was taken to record the surface view of the quadrat and the cover of periphyton on dominant substrates estimated. Periphyton was then cleared from plot, placed onto a seine net and sorted to remove animals, plants and marl. Periphyton only samples were then measured using perforated 2000 ml graduated cylinder which excluded water, and the periphyton biovolume was recorded. Submersed plants were then measured in the graduated cylinder to produce a total biovolume (Periphyton plus submersed plant) biovolume. A subsample of 120 ml (volume of urine cup) of periphyton only material was removed and placed in a sterile sample bag and placed in a cooler with ice for transport to the lab. When no observable periphyton mat was present, flocculent detritus was sampled non-quantitatively from the benthos and/or epiphytic fils were scraped from any macrophytes present. In the laboratory, each periphyton sample (in its sample bag) was weighed and a wet weight plus bag value recorded. The sample was then transferred to clean beaker, homogenized in a few ml distilled water (enough to fully moisten). The total volume of the homogenized sample was then measured in a graduated cylinder and this volume recorded as the Total Volume. The dried sample bag was then weighed and a bag weight recorded. From the homogenized Total volume, a 50 ml subsample was poured into a pre-weighed aluminum pan, dried in an oven for 24 hours and later removed and weighed to produce a Periphyton dry mass (DW). This sample was then placed in a muffle furnace for 3 hours and again weighed to produce an ash weight (AW). A 50 ml subsample was removed, placed in a labeled 120 ml cup and placed in an oven until dry. The dried contents were then ground and analyzed for nutrients (total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total carbon). A 1 ml subsample was removed and placed in a microvial for soft algae analysis. A 10 ml subsample was removed, put in vial and frozen until oxidized and analyzed for diatom analysis. A 1 ml subsample was removed and filtered through a GFF filter which was then analyzed for chlorophyll a.

    Method Step

    Description
     Thos file was updated on 2-15-22 to correct a chlorophyll a calibration error and the date of sampling in Jamaica from 3/5/2008 to 5/3/2008. Eleocharis wetland areas were located within the region of interest and before sampling was conducted, water chemistry measurements, including pH, conductivity, salinity and temperature, were taken. At each Eleocharis wetland site, seven 1m2 areas were sampled using 1m2 throw traps. At each plot, a photograph was taken to record the surface view of the quadrat and the cover of periphyton on dominant substrates estimated. Periphyton was then cleared from plot, placed onto a seine net and sorted to remove animals, plants and marl. Periphyton only samples were then measured using perforated 2000 ml graduated cylinder which excluded water, and the periphyton biovolume was recorded. Submersed plants were then measured in the graduated cylinder to produce a total biovolume (Periphyton plus submersed plant) biovolume. A subsample of 120 ml (volume of urine cup) of periphyton only material was removed and placed in a sterile sample bag and placed in a cooler with ice for transport to the lab. When no observable periphyton mat was present, flocculent detritus was sampled non-quantitatively from the benthos and/or epiphytic fils were scraped from any macrophytes present. In the laboratory, each periphyton sample (in its sample bag) was weighed and a wet weight plus bag value recorded. The sample was then transferred to clean beaker, homogenized in a few ml distilled water (enough to fully moisten). The total volume of the homogenized sample was then measured in a graduated cylinder and this volume recorded as the Total Volume. The dried sample bag was then weighed and a bag weight recorded. From the homogenized Total volume, a 50 ml subsample was poured into a pre-weighed aluminum pan, dried in an oven for 24 hours and later removed and weighed to produce a Periphyton dry mass (DW). This sample was then placed in a muffle furnace for 3 hours and again weighed to produce an ash weight (AW). A 50 ml subsample was removed, placed in a labeled 120 ml cup and placed in an oven until dry. The dried contents were then ground and analyzed for nutrients (total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total carbon). A 1 ml subsample was removed and placed in a microvial for soft algae analysis. A 10 ml subsample was removed, put in vial and frozen until oxidized and analyzed for diatom analysis. A 1 ml subsample was removed and filtered through a GFF filter which was then analyzed for chlorophyll a. Welschmeyer, N A 34501. Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll a in the presence of chlorophyll b and pheopigments. Limnology and Oceanography, 39(8): 1985-1992. Hasle, G R , G A Fryxell. 25842. Diatoms: Cleaning and mounting for light and electron microscopy. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 89(4): 469-474. Solaranzo, L , J H Sharp. 29280. Determination of total dissolved phosphorus and particulate phosphorus in natural waters.. Limnology and Oceanography, 25: 754-758.

    Instrumentation
    Portable pH/Conductivity/Temperature meter, Waterproof digital camera, Portable GPS, Periphyton methods: Biohomogenizer Hand held blender, Fume hood, Hot plate, oven, muffle furnace Gilmanfluorometer, Spectrophotometer, Carbon and Nitrogen analyzer (TC/TN, Perkin Elmer 2400 CHNSO)

  • Distribution and Intellectual Rights
    Online distribution
    https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1160/5/31d0f145dcb62cdce4c742d0590618ed
    Data Submission Date:  2009-09-02

    Intellectual Rights
    These data are classified as 'Type II' whereby original FCE LTER experimental data collected by individual FCE researchers to be released to restricted audiences according to terms specified by the owners of the data. Type II data are considered to be exceptional and should be rare in occurrence. The justification for exceptions must be well documented and approved by the lead PI and Site Data Manager. Some examples of Type II data restrictions may include: locations of rare or endangered species, data that are covered under prior licensing or copyright (e.g., SPOT satellite data), or covered by the Human Subjects Act, Student Dissertation data and those data related to the FCE LTER Program but not funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under LTER grants #DEB-9910514, and # DBI-0620409. Researchers that make use of Type II Data may be subject to additional restrictions to protect any applicable commercial or confidentiality interests. All publications based on this dataset must cite the data Contributor, the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program and that this material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DEB-1237517, #DBI-0620409, and #DEB-9910514. Additionally, two copies of the manuscript must be submitted to the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program Office, LTER Program Manager, Florida International University, Southeast Environmental Research Center, OE 148, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199. For a complete description of the FCE LTER Data Access Policy and Data User Agreement, please go to FCE Data Management Policy at http://fcelter.fiu.edu/data/DataMgmt.pdf and LTER Network Data Access Policy at http://fcelter.fiu.edu/data/core/data_user_agreement/distribution_policy.html.

  • Keywords
    primary production, periphyton, biomass, total phosphorus, water quality, diatoms, species, abundance, communities, pH, water, FCE, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, ecological research, long-term monitoring, organic content, Belize, Jamaica, Yucatan, Karstic wetlands
  • Dataset Contact
    • Name: Evelyn Gaiser 
    • Organization: Southeast Environmental Research Center
    • Address: Florida International University
      University Park
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Phone: 305-348-4096
    • Email: gaisere@fiu.edu
    • URL: http://serc.fiu.edu/periphyton/

    • Position: Information Manager
    • Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program
    • Address: Florida International University
      University Park
      OE 148
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Phone: 305-348-6054
    • Fax: 305-348-4096
    • Email: fcelter@fiu.edu
    • URL: http://fcelter.fiu.edu

  • Data Table and Format
    Data Table:  Periphyton data from LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica (FCE) during 2006, 2007, 2008

    Entity Name:
    ST_PP_Lahee_002
    Entity Description:
    Periphyton data from LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica (FCE) during 2006, 2007, 2008
    Object Name:
    ST_PP_Lahee_002.csv
    Number of Header Lines:
    1
    Attribute Orientation:
    column
    Field Delimiter:
    ,
    Number of Records:
    240