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Periphyton Biomass Accumulation from the Shark River and Taylor Sloughs, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), South Florida, USA, January 2003 - ongoing


At a Glance


Authors: Evelyn Gaiser
Time period: to
Package id: knb-lter-fce.1111.11
Dataset id: LT_PP_Gaiser_005

How to cite:
Gaiser, E.. 2022. Periphyton Biomass Accumulation from the Shark River and Taylor Sloughs, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), South Florida, USA, January 2003 - ongoing. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/. Dataset accessed 2024-04-18.

Geographic Coverage


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Detailed Metadata


  • Dataset Abstract
    Periphyton biomass was measured bimonthly at FCE LTER sites in Shark Slough. Fifteen 9.8 cm2 cores were removed from the floating periphyton mat and composited into a single sample. Percent aerial cover of floating periphyton was estimated visually in the field. Data are presented in terms of grams dry and ash-free dry mass per area. Total phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon concentration in the periphyton mat is also presented on a dry weight basis. This is part of a continuous data collection to test the hypothesis that phosphorus and nitrogen limit productivity at the upstream and downstream ends, respectively, of the FCE transects. Conclusions await longer-term data collection.
  • Geographic Coverage
    Study Extent Description
    The Study Extent of this dataset includes the FCE Shark River and Taylor Slough research sites within Everglades National Park, South Florida

    Bounding Coordinates
    FCE LTER Site SRS1a
    N: 25.761, S: 25.761, E: -80.727, W: -80.727

    FCE LTER Site SRS2
    N: 25.550, S: 25.550, E: -80.785, W: -80.785

    FCE LTER Site SRS3
    N: 25.468, S: 25.468, E: -80.853, W: -80.853

    FCE LTER Site SRS1c
    N: 25.75, S: 25.75, E: -80.57, W: -80.57

    FCE LTER Site SRS1d
    N: 25.75, S: 25.75, E: -80.65, W: -80.65

    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph2
    N: 25.404, S: 25.404, E: -80.607, W: -80.607

    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph3
    N: 25.252, S: 25.252, E: -80.663, W: -80.663

    FCE LTER Sites
    SRS1a, SRS2, SRS3, SRS1c, SRS1d, TS/Ph2, TS/Ph3, TS/Ph1b

    All Sites
    Geographic Description
    Bounding Coordinates
    FCE LTER Site SRS1a
    N: 25.761, S: 25.761, E: -80.727, W: -80.727
    FCE LTER Site SRS2
    N: 25.550, S: 25.550, E: -80.785, W: -80.785
    FCE LTER Site SRS3
    N: 25.468, S: 25.468, E: -80.853, W: -80.853
    FCE LTER Site SRS1c
    N: 25.75, S: 25.75, E: -80.57, W: -80.57
    FCE LTER Site SRS1d
    N: 25.75, S: 25.75, E: -80.65, W: -80.65
    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph2
    N: 25.404, S: 25.404, E: -80.607, W: -80.607
    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph3
    N: 25.252, S: 25.252, E: -80.663, W: -80.663
  • Attributes
    • Data Table:   Periphyton Biomass Accumulation from the Shark River and Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, from January 2003 to October present
      Attribute Name:
      SITENAME
      Attribute Label:
      sitename
      Attribute Definition:
      Name of LTER site
      Storage Type:
      text
      Measurement Scale:
      Name of LTER site
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Substrate
      Attribute Label:
      substrate
      Attribute Definition:
      Substrate-Periphytometer
      Storage Type:
      text
      Measurement Scale:
      M= Mats
      P= periphytometer
      E= Epiphyton
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Replicate
      Attribute Label:
      ID Number
      Attribute Definition:
      Replicate ID Number
      Storage Type:
      ordinal
      Measurement Scale:
      Replicate ID Number
      Missing Value Code:
       

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

      Attribute Name:
      Areal_Mat_Coverage
      Attribute Label:
      proportion
      Attribute Definition:
      Proportion of periphyton cover
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percentPerMeterSquared
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      Floating_Periphyton_Cover
      Attribute Label:
      percent cover
      Attribute Definition:
      Areal Mat Coverage
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percentPerMeterSquared
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      Benthic_Periphyton_Cover
      Attribute Label:
      percent cover
      Attribute Definition:
      Areal Mat Coverage
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percentPerMeterSquared
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      Epiphytic_Periphyton_Cover
      Attribute Label:
      percent cover
      Attribute Definition:
      Areal Mat Coverage
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percentPerMeterSquared
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      DryWeight
      Attribute Label:
      weight
      Attribute Definition:
      Areal Dry Weight
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: gramsPerSquareMeter
      Precision: 0.0001
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0000 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      AshWeight
      Attribute Label:
      weight
      Attribute Definition:
      Areal Ash Weight
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: gramsPerSquareMeter
      Precision: 0.0001
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0000 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      AFDM
      Attribute Label:
      mass
      Attribute Definition:
      Ash Free Dry Weight Accumulation
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: gramsPerSquareMeter
      Precision: 0.0001
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0000 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      TP
      Attribute Label:
      concentration
      Attribute Definition:
      Total Phosphorus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: microgramsPerGram
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      Percent_TN
      Attribute Label:
      percent content
      Attribute Definition:
      Total nitrogen concentration in % dry weight
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percent
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )

      Attribute Name:
      Percent_TC
      Attribute Label:
      Percent_TC
      Attribute Definition:
      Total carbon concentration in % dry weight
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percent
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )


  • Methods
    Sampling Description
    Three random throws of the 1m square quadrat are made at each sampling site. Site, water and vegetation characteristics are recorded. Periphyton composition and volume are also recorded, and representative volume is brought back to the lab for processing and analysis

    Method Step

    Description
    Periphyton was characterized, measured and collected from three random throws in each LTER location. Periphyton was picked through for associated macrophytes and homogenized in distilled water. Subsamples were taken for measurements of dry mass, ash-free dry mass, chlorophyll a, species composition and total nutrient (C, N, P) content.

    Citation
    Frankovich, T. A. , J W Fourqurean. 1997. Seagrass epiphyte loads along a nutrient availablitity gradient, Florida Bay, USA.. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 159: 37-50.

    Instrumentation
    1m square PVC quadrat, 2000mL graduated cylinder, sampling bags

    Method Step

    Description
    Periphyton was characterized, measured and collected from three random throws in each LTER location. Periphyton was picked through for associated macrophytes and homogenized in distilled water. Subsamples were taken for measurements of dry mass, ash-free dry mass, chlorophyll a, species composition and total nutrient (C, N, P) content.

    Citation
    Welschmeyer, N A 1994. Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll a in the presence of chlorophyll b and pheopigments. Limnology and Oceanography, 39(8): 1985-1992.


    Method Step

    Description
    Periphyton was characterized, measured and collected from three random throws in each LTER location. Periphyton was picked through for associated macrophytes and homogenized in distilled water. Subsamples were taken for measurements of dry mass, ash-free dry mass, chlorophyll a, species composition and total nutrient (C, N, P) content.

    Citation
    Childers, D. L. , R D Jones, J C Trexler, C Buzzelli, J Boyer, A L Edwards, E E Gaiser, K Jayachandaran, D Lee, J F Meeder, J Pechmann, J H Richards, L J Scinto. 2001. Quantifying the effects of low level phosphorus enrichment on unimpacted Everglades wetlands with in situ flumes and phosphorus dosing. p. 127-152 in Porter, J , K Porter. , (eds). The Everglades, Florida Bay, and Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA,


    Quality Control
    Data entered and rechecked.
  • Distribution and Intellectual Rights
    Online distribution
    https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1111/11/655aa58991381b83043e038664197472
    Data Submission Date:  2022-03-10

    Intellectual Rights
    This information is released under the Creative Commons license - Attribution - CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you.

  • Keywords
    periphyton, aquatic ecosystems, primary production, nutrients, FCE, FCE LTER, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, ecological research, long-term monitoring, productivity, water, Tamiami Trail, bridge, canal, macrophytes, plants, phosphorus, accumulation
  • Dataset Contact
    • Name: Evelyn Gaiser 
    • Position: Primary Investigator
    • Organization: Southeast Environmental Research Center
    • Address: Florida International University
      University Park
      OE 148
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Phone: 305-348-6145
    • Fax: 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 Biomass Accumulation from the Shark River and Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, from January 2003 to October present

    Entity Name:
    LT_PP_Gaiser_005.csv
    Entity Description:
    Periphyton Biomass Accumulation from the Shark River and Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, from January 2003 to October present
    Object Name:
    LT_PP_Gaiser_005.csv
    Number of Header Lines:
    1
    Attribute Orientation:
    column
    Field Delimiter:
    ,
    Number of Records:
    811