Dataset title: Alligator pond food-web sampling in Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, 2018–2019 Dataset ID: doi:10.6073/pasta/3b303590e5f6834661cf9002ec2594f4 Dataset Creator Name: Bradley Strickland Organization: Florida International University Email: bstri007@fiu.edu Name: Joel Trexler Organization: Florida State University Email: jtrexler@fsu.edu Name: Peter Flood Organization: Florida International University Email: pfloo001@fiu.edu Dataset Abstract These datasets were used to investigate if American Alligators engineer differences in nutrient availability and changes to community structure by their creation of “alligator ponds” compared to the surrounding phosphorus (P)-limited oligotrophic marsh in the Everglades. We used a halo sampling design of three distinct habitats extending outward from ten active alligator ponds across a hydrological gradient. We performed nutrient analysis on basal food-web resources and quantitative community analyses, and stoichiometric analyses on plants and animals. These data underly the work in Strickland et al. (2023). An apex predator engineers wetland food-web heterogeneity through nutrient enrichment and habitat modification. Journal of Animal Ecology. Geographic Coverage Bounding Coordinates Geographic description: AHMDB West bounding coordinate: -80.64061707 East bounding coordinate: -80.64061707 North bounding coordinate: 25.32298757 South bounding coordinate: 25.32298757 Geographic description: AH2 West bounding coordinate: -80.62850632 East bounding coordinate: -80.62850632 North bounding coordinate: 25.33566355 South bounding coordinate: 25.33566355 Geographic description: AH3 West bounding coordinate: -80.66084188 East bounding coordinate: -80.66084188 North bounding coordinate: 25.29966428 South bounding coordinate: 25.29966428 Geographic description: AH5 West bounding coordinate: -80.68250223 East bounding coordinate: -80.68250223 North bounding coordinate: 25.26749111 South bounding coordinate: 25.26749111 Geographic description: AH9 West bounding coordinate: -80.60116797 East bounding coordinate: -80.60116797 North bounding coordinate: 25.35749112 South bounding coordinate: 25.35749112 Geographic description: AH11 West bounding coordinate: -80.8000053 East bounding coordinate: -80.8000053 North bounding coordinate: 25.52399379 South bounding coordinate: 25.52399379 Geographic description: AH13 West bounding coordinate: -80.82633873 East bounding coordinate: -80.82633873 North bounding coordinate: 25.49682767 South bounding coordinate: 25.49682767 Geographic description: CPB West bounding coordinate: -80.74400553 East bounding coordinate: -80.74400553 North bounding coordinate: 25.63516028 South bounding coordinate: 25.63516028 Geographic description: LJB West bounding coordinate: -80.71900363 East bounding coordinate: -80.71900363 North bounding coordinate: 25.63016576 South bounding coordinate: 25.63016576 Geographic description: WG16 West bounding coordinate: -80.83650644 East bounding coordinate: -80.83650644 North bounding coordinate: 25.4831582 South bounding coordinate: 25.4831582 Temporal Coverage Start Date: 2018 End Date: 2019 Data Table Entity Name: ConsumerSampling Entity Description: CSV contains sampling data from aquatic consumers collected by throw traps, minnow traps, and drift fences Object Name: ConsumerCorrectHabitat.csv Data Format Number of Header Lines: 1 Attribute Orientation: column Field Delimiter: , Number of Records: Attributes Attribute Name: ID Attribute Label: ID Attribute Definition: Unique code for each catch Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: NA (sample ID lost) Attribute Name: Season Attribute Label: Season Attribute Definition: season of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: DRY= March–April 2019 (low-water period) WET= November–December 2018 (high-water period) Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Slough Attribute Label: Slough Attribute Definition: slough of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: SRS= Shark River Slough TSL= Taylor Slough Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Site Attribute Label: Site Attribute Definition: site code Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: AH11= Alligator Hole 11 AH13= Alligator Hole 13 AH2= Alligator Hole 2 AH3= Alligator Hole 3 AH5= Alligator Hole 5 AH9= Alligator Hole 9 AHMDB= Alligator Hole MDB AHWG16= Alligator Hole WG16 CATB= Alligator Hole Cat Pond B LJB= Alligator Hole LJB Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Method Attribute Label: Method Attribute Definition: sampling method Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: DF= drift fence MT= minnow trap TT1= throw trap - first pass TT2= throw trap - second pass TT3= throw trap - third pass Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Count Attribute Label: Count Attribute Definition: individuals per sample effort Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Species Attribute Label: Species Attribute Definition: Species code to match long-term datasets by Trexler Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Habitat Attribute Label: Habitat Attribute Definition: habitat type of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: MARSH= marsh NEAR POND= near pond NPM= near pond-marsh transition NPP= near pond - pond transition POND= pond Missing Value Code: Data Table Entity Name: Funnel Trap Sampling Entity Description: CSV of funnel trap sampling of migrating aquatic benthic micro-invertebrates Object Name: MicroFinal.csv Data Format Number of Header Lines: 1 Attribute Orientation: column Field Delimiter: , Number of Records: Attributes Attribute Name: Site Attribute Label: Site Attribute Definition: site code Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Season Attribute Label: Season Attribute Definition: season of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 2018= November–December 2018 (high-water period) 2019= March–April 2019 (low-water period) Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Habitat Attribute Label: Habitat Attribute Definition: habitat type of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: MARSH= marsh NEAR POND= near pond POND= pond Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Slough Attribute Label: Slough Attribute Definition: slough of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: SRS= Shark River Slough TSL= Taylor Slough Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: AMPHIPOD Attribute Label: AMPHIPOD Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Amphipoda Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: CLADOCERA Attribute Label: CLADOCERA Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Cladocera Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: COPEPOD Attribute Label: COPEPOD Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Copepoda Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: DIPTERA Attribute Label: DIPTERA Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Diptera Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: EPHEME Attribute Label: EPHEME Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Emphemeoptera Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: HEMITPERA Attribute Label: HEMITPERA Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Hemiptera Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: real Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: HYDRACH Attribute Label: HYDRACH Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Hydrachnida (water mites) Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: MOLLUSCA Attribute Label: MOLLUSCA Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Mollusca Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: NEMATODA Attribute Label: NEMATODA Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Nematoda Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: ODONATA Attribute Label: ODONATA Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Odonata Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: real Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: OSTRACOD Attribute Label: OSTRACOD Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Ostracoda Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: integer Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: PLATYHELMINTHES Attribute Label: PLATYHELMINTHES Attribute Definition: count of animals classified as Platyhelminthes Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: real Missing Value Code: Data Table Entity Name: Aquatic Plant Inventory Entity Description: CSV of an inventory of aquatic plants along a habitat transect Object Name: PlantInventoryBothSeasons.csv Data Format Number of Header Lines: 1 Attribute Orientation: column Field Delimiter: , Number of Records: Attributes Attribute Name: Slough Attribute Label: Slough Attribute Definition: slough of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: SRS= Shark River Slough TSL= Taylor Slough Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Season Attribute Label: Season Attribute Definition: season of data collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 1= November–December 2018 (high-water period) 2= March–April 2019 (low-water period) Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Site Attribute Label: Site Attribute Definition: site code Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Habitat Attribute Label: Habitat Attribute Definition: habitat of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: MARSH= marsh NEARPOND= near pond POND= pond Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: CLAJAM Attribute Label: CLAJAM Attribute Definition: Presence of Cladium jamaicense Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= Absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: ELECEL Attribute Label: ELECEL Attribute Definition: Presence of Eleocharis cellulosa Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: ELEELO Attribute Label: ELEELO Attribute Definition: Presence of Eleocharis elongata Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: PELVIR Attribute Label: PELVIR Attribute Definition: Presence of Peltandra virginica Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: UTRPUR Attribute Label: UTRPUR Attribute Definition: Presence of Utricularia purpurea Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: UTRFOL Attribute Label: UTRFOL Attribute Definition: Presence of Utricularia foliosa Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: SAGLAN Attribute Label: SAGLAN Attribute Definition: Presence of Sagittaria lancifolia Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: PONCOR Attribute Label: PONCOR Attribute Definition: Presence of Pontedaria cordata Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: HYMLAT Attribute Label: HYMLAT Attribute Definition: Presence of Hymenocallis latifolia Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: RHYTRA Attribute Label: RHYTRA Attribute Definition: Presence of Rhycospora tracyi Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: PANHEM Attribute Label: PANHEM Attribute Definition: Presence of Panicum hemitonum Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: BACCAR Attribute Label: BACCAR Attribute Definition: Presence of Bacopa carolinia Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: POTILL Attribute Label: POTILL Attribute Definition: Presence of Potamogeton illinoensis Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: LUDREP Attribute Label: LUDREP Attribute Definition: Presence of Ludwigia repens Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: NYMAQU Attribute Label: NYMAQU Attribute Definition: Presence of Nymphoides aquatica Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: TYPDOM Attribute Label: TYPDOM Attribute Definition: Presence of Tyhpa domingensis Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: NYMODO Attribute Label: NYMODO Attribute Definition: Presence of Nymphea odorata Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: NUPADV Attribute Label: NUPADV Attribute Definition: Presence of Nuphar advena Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: PASGEM Attribute Label: PASGEM Attribute Definition: Presence of Paspaladium geminatum Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: MICSKA Attribute Label: MICSKA Attribute Definition: Presence of Mikania scandens Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: LEEHEX Attribute Label: LEEHEX Attribute Definition: Presence of Leersia hexandra Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 0= absent 1= present Missing Value Code: Data Table Entity Name: CNP Stoichiometry Analyses Entity Description: CSV containing CNP stoichiometric analyses of consumer tissue and organic material Object Name: dpe_stoich_master091521v2.csv Data Format Number of Header Lines: 1 Attribute Orientation: column Field Delimiter: , Number of Records: Attributes Attribute Name: ID Attribute Label: ID Attribute Definition: unique sample id Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: Attribute Name: Percent_N Attribute Label: Percent_N Attribute Definition: percent nitrogen Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: percent Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: Percent_C Attribute Label: Percent_C Attribute Definition: percent carbon Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: percent Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: Percent_P Attribute Label: Percent_P Attribute Definition: percent phosphorous Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: percent Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: CN_Ratio Attribute Label: CN_Ratio Attribute Definition: ratio of carbon to nitrogen Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: CP_Ratio Attribute Label: CP_Ratio Attribute Definition: ratio of carbon to phosphorous Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: NP_Ratio Attribute Label: NP_Ratio Attribute Definition: ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: number Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: Species Attribute Label: Species Attribute Definition: Species code to match long-term datasets by Trexler Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: NA (no species determined) Attribute Name: Sample_Type Attribute Label: Sample_Type Attribute Definition: general sample type Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: invert= invertebrate tissue om= organic matter vert= vertebrate tissue Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: Season Attribute Label: Season Attribute Definition: season of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: Dry= March–April 2019 (low-water period) Wet= November–December 2018 (high-water period) Missing Value Code: NA (no value) Attribute Name: Slough Attribute Label: Slough Attribute Definition: slough of data collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: SRS= Shark River Slough TSL= Taylor Slough Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: Site Attribute Label: Site Attribute Definition: site code Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: text Missing Value Code: NA (missing site value) Attribute Name: Habitat Attribute Label: Habitat Attribute Definition: habitat type of sample collection Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: Marsh= marsh NP= near pond Pond= pond Sawgrass= sawgrass habitat (technically marsh) Missing Value Code: NA (missing value, no habitat label) Attribute Name: Method Attribute Label: Method Attribute Definition: Sampling method Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: DF= drift fence EFISH= electrofishing FR= free range (organic matter collection or non quantitative sample) MT= minnow trap TT= throw trap Missing Value Code: NA (missing value, no habitat label) Attribute Name: Throw Attribute Label: Throw Attribute Definition: pass number on throw trap Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 2= pass two 3= pass three Missing Value Code: NA (missing value) Attribute Name: Length Attribute Label: Length Attribute Definition: total length Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: millimeter Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (no measurement) Attribute Name: Wet_Weight Attribute Label: Wet_Weight Attribute Definition: fish weight (wet) Storage Type: float Measurement Scale: Units: gram Number Type: real Missing Value Code: NA (no measurement) Attribute Name: Sex Attribute Label: Sex Attribute Definition: fish sex Storage Type: string Measurement Scale: 1= male 2= female 3= immature Missing Value Code: NA (no sex determined) Methods Method Step Description We collected water and flocculent detrital matter (“floc”) in three different locations within each habitat and aggregated these into a single sample. Plants were collected by walking a transect across all three habitats and collected as a composite of leaves or stems from multiple individuals. We used several types of sampling to capture the aquatic consumer community: Brakke’s (1976) inverted-funnel traps, 1-m2 throw-traps, 3-mm wire-mesh minnow-traps, and omni-directional drift-fences. Plant composites and animal specimens were analyzed for total N, P, and C using dry-combustion methods and analyzing colorometrically. References: Brakke, D. F. (1976). Modification of the Whiteside–Williams Pattern Sampler. Journal of the Fisheries Board of Canada, 33(12), 2861-2863. Distribution Online distribution: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1255/3/7a7501478e9f2a7d972fa14ce39591bc 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. Publications citing this dataset Strickland, Bradley A., Peter J. Flood, Jeffrey L. Kline, Frank J. Mazzotti, Michael R. Heithaus, and Joel C. Trexler. 2023. An apex predator engineers wetland food-web heterogeneity through nutrient enrichment and habitat modification. Journal of Animal Ecology 92: 1388-1403. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13939 Dataset Keywords FCE LTER Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Alligator pond LTER abundance zooplankton aquatic invertebrates community structure organic matter Maintenance No regular updates anticipated Dataset Contact Position: Information Manager Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Address: Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 148 Miami, FL 33199 Email: fcelter@fiu.edu