Skip to Main Content
Search Menu
Close
Close 
Search

Metadata

Survey of biological, geomorphic, and hydrologic properties across ecosystem states in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA: 2019-2020


At a Glance


(Zip file containing 2 files)

Authors: Lukas Lamb, Tiffany Troxler
Time period: to
Package id: knb-lter-fce.1250.1

How to cite:
Lamb, L., T. Troxler. 2022. Survey of biological, geomorphic, and hydrologic properties across ecosystem states in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA: 2019-2020. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/. Dataset accessed 2024-04-23.

Geographic Coverage
This data set contains the following files.

FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_HydroGeo
This data table contains single point measurements of hydrologic and geomorphic variables that were taken from November 2019 to January 2020 in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Measurements were taken across the 3 ecosystem states found within the peat marsh: emergent marsh (sawgrass dominated), submerged marsh (submerged aquatic vegetation), and unvegetated open water. Hydrologic measurements include surface water depth and porewater salinity (soil depth = 15 cm), while geomorphic measurements include soil surface elevation (rel. North American Vertical Datum of 1988), and soil depth to bedrock. Elevation was measured using real-time kinematic surveys with a Trimble R8.
Attribute table details     Download

FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_Bio
This data table contains plot-scale (1 m^2) measurements of biologic, hydrologic, and geomorphic variables that were taken from November 2019 to January 2020 in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Biologic measurements include total number of sawgrass per plot, average individual sawgrass aboveground biomass, and total aboveground sawgrass biomass. Methods for biomass estimates are described in Childers et al. (2006). Hydrologic measurements include water depth and porewater salinity (soil depth = 15 cm), while geomorphic measurements include soil surface elevation (rel. North American Vertical Datum of 1988), and soil depth to bedrock. For each hydrologic and geomorphic measurement, three measurements were taken across each plot, then averaged. Standard deviation for all measurements are included in a separate column.
Attribute table details     Download



View detailed metadata as:   HTML    Text    XML


Detailed Metadata


  • Dataset Creator(s)
    • Name: Mr. Lukas Lamb 
    • Position: Graduate Student
    • Organization: Florida International University
    • Address: 11200 SW 8th St
      Miami, FL 33199 
    • Email: llamb009@fiu.edu

    • Name: Dr. Tiffany Troxler 
    • Position: Associate Professor
    • Organization: Florida International University
    • Email: troxlert@fiu.edu

  • Dataset Abstract
    Alternate stable states have been shown to occur across disparate ecosystems. In tidal marshes, emergent, vegetated marsh and open water have been identified as alternate stable states. In non-tidal, subtropical coastal marsh systems, eco-hydrogeomorphic feedback loops differ from tidal marshes, yet open water states persist. This dataset originates from a field survey of biological, geomorphic, and hydrologic properties across ecosystem states that occur within a salinizing, non-tidal peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Ecosystem states surveyed include emergent marsh (sawgrass dominated), submerged marsh (submerged aquatic vegetation), and unvegetated open water. The survey was conducted between November 2019 to January 2020. There are two datasets included: FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_HydroGeo includes point measurements of soil surface elevation, bedrock elevation, soil depth, water depth, and porewater salinity across all ecosystem states. FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_Bio contains plot-scale (1 m^2) biological measurements from emergent marsh (sawgrass). Biological measurements (total sawgrass, average individual sawgrass biomass, and total sawgrass aboveground biomass), are inherently plot-level but geomorphic and hydrologic measurements were averaged (n = 3) for each plot. Standard deviations are provided.
  • Geographic Coverage
    Bounding Coordinates
    The dataset is from a 9 ha coastal, non-tidal peat marsh in the coastal Everglades (25°13’13.17” N, 80°50’36.96” W). This marsh is dominated by sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), interspersed by the submerged aquatic macrophyte, muskgrass (Chara spp.), unvegetated open water, and to a lesser extent, buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) and red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle scrub; tree heights < 1.5 m). Soils are histosols (peat) with > 85% organic matter ranging 1.0 - 2.0 m in depth.
    N: 25.222762, S: 25.2216, E: -80.84336, W: -80.84725

  • Methods
    Method Step

    Description
    Elevation benchmarks were established at the study site in June 2018 and referenced to the 1988 North American Vertical Datum (NAVD88; Geoid 18b) with Trimble R8 global navigation satellite system receiver equipment (Trimble Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Two static surveys were conducted for a minimum of 4 hours, with differences in resulting elevation solutions < 2 cm. Static surveys of ≥4 hours have been shown to produce horizontal and vertical errors of less than 3 cm at 95% confidence (Gillins et al. 2019). Benchmarks were then used as base stations to conduct real-time kinematic surveys of soil surface elevation using the same Trimble R8 receiver equipment. For EMG and SUB points, soil surface elevation was measured by placing the survey rod on the soil surface. Surface water depth was measured simultaneously via centimeter markings on the survey rod. For OW points, there was generally a thick layer of flocculent, unconsolidated sediment, making the soil surface difficult to discern. To standardize measurements, the survey rod was allowed to gently fall through this flocculent layer until resistance was met. The point at which resistance was met was identified as the soil surface and subsequent measurements of elevation and surface water depth were taken. Soil depth was measured at each point using a stainless-steel soil probe by driving the probe through the soil profile to the bedrock. Porewater salinity was measured at a soil depth of 15 cm using a YSI Model 600 XL (Xylem, Inc., Yellow Springs, OH, USA).


    Method Step

    Description
    To estimate C. jamaicense ABG biomass, we used a non-destructive, phenometric technique developed and validated in the Florida Everglades (Childers et al. 2006). Within 1 m2 plots, we counted all live individual C. jamaicense culms and randomly selected 1/3 of all individual plants, or a minimum of 15 when the total culm density was less than 45. For this subset, we measured: (1) length of longest leaf, (2) culm diameter at the base, and (3) inflorescence height, if present. Biomass estimates for each individual C. jamaicense plant measured was then estimated using a multiple regression model developed and described in Childers et al. (2006). Total ABG biomass (g m-2) for each plot was then estimated by multiplying culm density per m2 by mean plant biomass (g dw). Hydrologic and geomorphic variables were surveyed at three points within each plot to obtain plot-level averages. ==================== Data Sources ========================= Childers, D. L., Iwaniec, D., Rondeau, D., Rubio, G., Verdon, E., & Madden, C. J. (2006). Responses of sawgrass and spikerush to variation in hydrologic drivers and salinity in Southern Everglades marshes. Hydrobiologia, 569(1), 273-292. ===========================================================


  • Distribution and Intellectual Rights
    Online distribution
    https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1250/1/fa0b611dc70cfdb80c87f9208625281e
    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
    FCE LTER, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, alternate stable state, water depth, Everglades National Park, aboveground biomass, elevation, salinity
  • Dataset Contact
    • Name: Lukas Lamb 
    • Position: Graduate Student
    • Organization: Florida International University
    • Address: 11200 SW 8th St
      Miami, FL 33199 United States
    • Phone: 2078918921
    • Email: llamb009@fiu.edu

  • Data Table and Format
    Data Table:  This data table contains single point measurements of hydrologic and geomorphic variables that were taken from November 2019 to January 2020 in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Measurements were taken across the 3 ecosystem states found within the peat marsh: emergent marsh (sawgrass dominated), submerged marsh (submerged aquatic vegetation), and unvegetated open water. Hydrologic measurements include surface water depth and porewater salinity (soil depth = 15 cm), while geomorphic measurements include soil surface elevation (rel. North American Vertical Datum of 1988), and soil depth to bedrock. Elevation was measured using real-time kinematic surveys with a Trimble R8.

    Entity Name:
    FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_HydroGeo
    Entity Description:
    This data table contains single point measurements of hydrologic and geomorphic variables that were taken from November 2019 to January 2020 in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Measurements were taken across the 3 ecosystem states found within the peat marsh: emergent marsh (sawgrass dominated), submerged marsh (submerged aquatic vegetation), and unvegetated open water. Hydrologic measurements include surface water depth and porewater salinity (soil depth = 15 cm), while geomorphic measurements include soil surface elevation (rel. North American Vertical Datum of 1988), and soil depth to bedrock. Elevation was measured using real-time kinematic surveys with a Trimble R8.
    Object Name:
    FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_HydroGeo.csv
    Number of Header Lines:
    1
    Attribute Orientation:
    column
    Field Delimiter:
    ,
    Number of Records:
    91

    Data Table:  This data table contains plot-scale (1 m^2) measurements of biologic, hydrologic, and geomorphic variables that were taken from November 2019 to January 2020 in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Biologic measurements include total number of sawgrass per plot, average individual sawgrass aboveground biomass, and total aboveground sawgrass biomass. Methods for biomass estimates are described in Childers et al. (2006). Hydrologic measurements include water depth and porewater salinity (soil depth = 15 cm), while geomorphic measurements include soil surface elevation (rel. North American Vertical Datum of 1988), and soil depth to bedrock. For each hydrologic and geomorphic measurement, three measurements were taken across each plot, then averaged. Standard deviation for all measurements are included in a separate column.

    Entity Name:
    FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_Bio
    Entity Description:
    This data table contains plot-scale (1 m^2) measurements of biologic, hydrologic, and geomorphic variables that were taken from November 2019 to January 2020 in a non-tidal, salinizing peat marsh in the coastal Everglades. Biologic measurements include total number of sawgrass per plot, average individual sawgrass aboveground biomass, and total aboveground sawgrass biomass. Methods for biomass estimates are described in Childers et al. (2006). Hydrologic measurements include water depth and porewater salinity (soil depth = 15 cm), while geomorphic measurements include soil surface elevation (rel. North American Vertical Datum of 1988), and soil depth to bedrock. For each hydrologic and geomorphic measurement, three measurements were taken across each plot, then averaged. Standard deviation for all measurements are included in a separate column.
    Object Name:
    FCE1250_Lamb_AltStableState_Bio.csv
    Number of Header Lines:
    1
    Attribute Orientation:
    column
    Field Delimiter:
    ,
    Number of Records:
    29