Dataset title: Environmental data from FCE LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica during Years 2006, 2007 and 2008 Dataset ID: PHY_Lahee_001 Research type: Physical Dataset Creator Name: Dr. Evelyn Gaiser Position: Primary Investigator Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program Address: 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami, Florida 33199 USA Phone: 305-348-6145 Email: gaisere@fiu.edu URL: http://serc.fiu.edu/periphyton/ Metadata Provider Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Address: Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 148 Miami, FL 33199 USA Phone: 305-348-6054 Email: fcelter@fiu.edu URL: https://fcelter.fiu.edu 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. Dataset Purpose This study was conducted and the data compiled 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. 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 Geographic description: BEL2-Eddie's Lagoon2-May 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.639 East bounding coordinate: -88.639 North bounding coordinate: 17.78 South bounding coordinate: 17.78 Geographic description: BEL3-Eddie's Lagoon3-May 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.633 East bounding coordinate: -88.633 North bounding coordinate: 17.785 South bounding coordinate: 17.785 Geographic description: BNC2-Nico's Creek2-May 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.646 East bounding coordinate: -88.646 North bounding coordinate: 17.735 South bounding coordinate: 17.735 Geographic description: BNRL1-New River Lagoon1-May 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.654 East bounding coordinate: -88.654 North bounding coordinate: 17.738 South bounding coordinate: 17.738 Geographic description: BNRL2-New River Lagoon2-May 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.641 East bounding coordinate: -88.641 North bounding coordinate: 17.755 South bounding coordinate: 17.755 Geographic description: BDC3-Dawson's Creek3-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.641 East bounding coordinate: -88.641 North bounding coordinate: 17.759 South bounding coordinate: 17.759 Geographic description: BDC4-Dawson's Creek4-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.641 East bounding coordinate: -88.641 North bounding coordinate: 17.751 South bounding coordinate: 17.751 Geographic description: BNC3-Nico's Creek3-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.641 East bounding coordinate: -88.641 North bounding coordinate: 17.733 South bounding coordinate: 17.733 Geographic description: BNC4-Nico's Creek4-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.626 East bounding coordinate: -88.626 North bounding coordinate: 17.73 South bounding coordinate: 17.73 Geographic description: BBC1-Bomb Crater1-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.627 East bounding coordinate: -88.627 North bounding coordinate: 17.719 South bounding coordinate: 17.719 Geographic description: BBC2-Bomb Crater2-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.627 East bounding coordinate: -88.627 North bounding coordinate: 17.715 South bounding coordinate: 17.715 Geographic description: BEL4-Eddie's Lagoon4-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.634 East bounding coordinate: -88.634 North bounding coordinate: 17.784 South bounding coordinate: 17.784 Geographic description: BEL5-Eddie's Lagoon5-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.633 East bounding coordinate: -88.633 North bounding coordinate: 17.779 South bounding coordinate: 17.779 Geographic description: BCC1-Crab Catcher1-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.641 East bounding coordinate: -88.641 North bounding coordinate: 17.664 South bounding coordinate: 17.664 Geographic description: BCC2-Crab Catcher2-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.643 East bounding coordinate: -88.643 North bounding coordinate: 17.661 South bounding coordinate: 17.661 Geographic description: BCC3-Crab Catcher3-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.634 East bounding coordinate: -88.634 North bounding coordinate: 17.663 South bounding coordinate: 17.663 Geographic description: BLM1-Limonal1-November 2007 West bounding coordinate: -88.642 East bounding coordinate: -88.642 North bounding coordinate: 17.619 South bounding coordinate: 17.619 Geographic description: JDIGI-1-Digicel Tower Marsh1-May 2008 West bounding coordinate: -77.786 East bounding coordinate: -77.786 North bounding coordinate: 18.06 South bounding coordinate: 18.06 Geographic description: JSL1-Slipe River1-May 2008 West bounding coordinate: -77.783 East bounding coordinate: -77.783 North bounding coordinate: 18.064 South bounding coordinate: 18.064 Geographic description: JSL10-Slipe River10-December 2007 West bounding coordinate: -77.814 East bounding coordinate: -77.814 North bounding coordinate: 18.024 South bounding coordinate: 18.024 Geographic description: JSL2-Slipe River2-May 2008 West bounding coordinate: -77.814 East bounding coordinate: -77.814 North bounding coordinate: 18.026 South bounding coordinate: 18.026 Geographic description: JSL3-Slipe River3-May 2008 West bounding coordinate: -77.815 East bounding coordinate: -77.815 North bounding coordinate: 18.025 South bounding coordinate: 18.025 Geographic description: JSL4-Slipe River4-May 2008 West bounding coordinate: -77.81 East bounding coordinate: -77.81 North bounding coordinate: 18.026 South bounding coordinate: 18.026 Geographic description: JSL5-Slipe River5-December 2007 West bounding coordinate: -77.796 East bounding coordinate: -77.796 North bounding coordinate: 18.032 South bounding coordinate: 18.032 Geographic description: JSL6-Slipe River6-December 2007 West bounding coordinate: -77.796 East bounding coordinate: -77.796 North bounding coordinate: 18.032 South bounding coordinate: 18.032 Geographic description: JSL7-Slipe River7-December 2007 West bounding coordinate: -77.796 East bounding coordinate: -77.796 North bounding coordinate: 18.032 South bounding coordinate: 18.032 Geographic description: JSL8-Slipe River8-December 2007 West bounding coordinate: -77.813 East bounding coordinate: -77.813 North bounding coordinate: 18.025 South bounding coordinate: 18.025 Geographic description: JSL9-Slipe River9-December 2007 West bounding coordinate: -77.813 East bounding coordinate: -77.813 North bounding coordinate: 18.025 South bounding coordinate: 18.025 Geographic description: YPETN-Peten North-December 2006 West bounding coordinate: -87.692 East bounding coordinate: -87.692 North bounding coordinate: 19.801 South bounding coordinate: 19.801 Geographic description: YPETS-Peten South-December 2006 West bounding coordinate: -87.692 East bounding coordinate: -87.692 North bounding coordinate: 19.8 South bounding coordinate: 19.8 Geographic description: YMARN-Marisma North Side-December 2006 West bounding coordinate: -87.51 East bounding coordinate: -87.51 North bounding coordinate: 19.827 South bounding coordinate: 19.827 Geographic description: YMARN-Marisma North Side-March 2008 West bounding coordinate: -87.51 East bounding coordinate: -87.51 North bounding coordinate: 19.827 South bounding coordinate: 19.827 Geographic description: YDAHS-Dahlbergia South-December 2006 West bounding coordinate: -87.714 East bounding coordinate: -87.714 North bounding coordinate: 19.872 South bounding coordinate: 19.872 Geographic description: YMAH17-Mahahual 17-December 2006 West bounding coordinate: -87.96 East bounding coordinate: -87.96 North bounding coordinate: 18.972 South bounding coordinate: 18.972 Geographic description: YMAH17-Mahahual 17-March 2008 West bounding coordinate: -87.96 East bounding coordinate: -87.96 North bounding coordinate: 18.972 South bounding coordinate: 18.972 Geographic description: YMAH47-Mahahual 47-December 2006 West bounding coordinate: -87.75 East bounding coordinate: -87.75 North bounding coordinate: 18.787 South bounding coordinate: 18.787 Geographic description: YMAH47-Mahahual 47-March 2008 West bounding coordinate: -87.75 East bounding coordinate: -87.75 North bounding coordinate: 18.787 South bounding coordinate: 18.787 Temporal Coverage Start Date: 2006-12-09 End Date: 2008-05-03 Data Table Entity Name: PHY_Lahee_001 Entity Description: Environmental data from FCE LTER Caribbean Karstic Region (CKR) study in Yucatan, Belize and Jamaica Object Name: PHY_Lahee_001.csv Data Format Number of Header Lines: 1 Attribute Orientation: column Field Delimiter: , Number of Records: Attributes 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: string Measurement Scale: text 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: text 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: Season Attribute Label: time Attribute Definition: sampling season Storage Type: text Measurement Scale: W= wet (based on rainfall pattern during sampling period) D= Dry (based on rainfall pattern during sampling period) Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Water_Depth Attribute Label: Water depth Attribute Definition: Water depth at sample site (Water depth in cm at 3 locations not necessarily the replicate sites) Storage Type: data Measurement Scale: Units: centimeter Precision: 1 Number Type: real Missing Value Code: -9999 (Value will never be recorded) Attribute Name: Water_Conductivity Attribute Label: Conductivity Attribute Definition: Water conductivity at sample site Storage Type: data Measurement Scale: Units: microSiemensPerCentimeter Precision: 1 Number Type: real Missing Value Code: -9999 (Value will never be recorded) Attribute Name: pH Attribute Label: pH Attribute Definition: pH at sample site Storage Type: data Measurement Scale: Units: dimensionless Precision: 0.1 Number Type: real Missing Value Code: -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded) Data Table Entity Name: PHY_Lahee_001_site_coordinates Entity Description: Sampling site coordinates Object Name: PHY_Lahee_001_site_coordinates.csv Data Format Number of Header Lines: 1 Attribute Orientation: column Field Delimiter: , Number of Records: Attributes Attribute Name: Full_site_name Attribute Label: Full_site_name Attribute Definition: Full site name with month and year visited Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Region Attribute Label: Region Attribute Definition: Region Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: B= Belize J= Jamaica Y= Yucatan Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Site_ID Attribute Label: Site_ID Attribute Definition: Site ID Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Date Attribute Label: Date Attribute Definition: Sampling Collection Date Storage Type: dateTime Measurement Scale: Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Latitude Attribute Label: Latitude Attribute Definition: Latitude in decimal degrees Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: degree Number Type: real Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Longitude Attribute Label: Longitude Attribute Definition: Longitude in decimal degrees Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: degree Number Type: real Missing Value Code: 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 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. References: 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. Welschmeyer, N A 34501. Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll a in the presence of chlorophyll b and pheopigments. Limnology and Oceanography, 39(8): 1985-1992. Instrumentation Portable pH/Conductivity/Temperature meter, Waterproof digital camera, Portable GPS, Biohomogenizer, Hand held blender, Fume hood Hot plate, oven, muffle furnace, Gilman fluorometer, Spectrophotometer, Carbon and Nitrogen analyzer (TC/TN, Perkin Elmer 2400 CHNSO) Distribution Online distribution: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1119/6/73548e44ab3c725b6cbbe01a3b02a715 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. Dataset Keywords primary production organic matter inorganic nutrients FCE Florida Coastal Everglades LTER ecological research long-term monitoring periphyton water diatoms wetlands pH communities conductivity plants biomass total phosphorus water quality organic content Belize Jamaica Yucatan Everglades National Park karstic wetlands Data Submission Date: 2009-09-02 Maintenance knb-lter-fce.1119.6: Updated metadata to EML 2.2.0, added creator ORCID and organization ROR ids, updated project information with award elements, corrected sampling location coordinates in metadata and moved from methods to dataset geographic coverage; added .csv extension to data file name (no changes to data), made site locations with coordinates available in a sampling locations file Dataset Contact Name: Evelyn Gaiser Position: Primary Investigator Organization: Southeast Environmental Research Center Address: Florida International University University Park Miami, FL 33199 USA Phone: 305-348-6145 Email: gaisere@fiu.edu URL: http://serc.fiu.edu/periphyton/ Position: Information Manager Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Address: Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 148 Miami, FL 33199 USA Email: fcelter@fiu.edu URL: https://fcelter.fiu.edu Dataset Submission Date 2009-09-02 Information Management Notes This is a short-term physical dataset. This dataset replaces all previous versions of PHY_Lahee_001 original. The FCE program is discontinuing its practice of versioning data as of March 2013.