Data Package Metadata   View Summary

Amendments and seeding did not augment erosion control structure effectiveness in dry rangelands, 2021-2023

General Information
Data Package:
Local Identifier:edi.1890.1
Title:Amendments and seeding did not augment erosion control structure effectiveness in dry rangelands, 2021-2023
Alternate Identifier:DOI PLACE HOLDER
Abstract:

This study investigates the effectiveness of combining rock structures with organic amendments (wood mulch or compost) and native perennial grass seed addition to address erosion on rangelands. The study was conducted across five cattle ranches in New Mexico with 9-18 active head cuts studied at each ranch. Rock rundown structures were built at each headcut and a plot above each structure received an organic amendment treatment (compost, mulch, or control) and seed addition treatment (seeded or control).

Publication Date:2024-12-05
For more information:
Visit: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/9b0cce476cb9a7f96575ff1c3d3155c3
Visit: DOI PLACE HOLDER

Time Period
Begin:
2021-12-01
End:
2023-12-01

People and Organizations
Contact:Stricker, Eva (Quivira Coalition, Director of the Carbon Ranch Initiative) [  email ]
Creator:Stricker, Eva (Quivira Coalition, Director of the Carbon Ranch Initiative)

Data Entities
Data Table Name:
ER_contour
Description:
Distance along the Kornecki et al. (2008) contour guage and the distance below from the maximum value.
Data Table Name:
Infiltration rate
Description:
infiltration rate from single ring infiltrometer for first and second inch of water.
Data Table Name:
Vegetation biomass
Description:
Aboveground biomass from 18in x 18in clip plots
Data Table Name:
slake
Description:
averages of six clod using the Herrick et al. 2001 test kit.
Data Table Name:
veg_com
Description:
vegetation from line intercept transect
Data Table Name:
bare
Description:
Proportion of bare ground on the line intercept transects
Data Table Name:
soilC
Description:
soil carbon values from 0-10cm depth
Data Table Name:
treatment
Description:
Treatment information for each Plot ID
Detailed Metadata

Data Entities


Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/e64ec185b099968d9ae653d620e23d31
Name:ER_contour
Description:Distance along the Kornecki et al. (2008) contour guage and the distance below from the maximum value.
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Number of Columns:4

Table Structure
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Table Column Descriptions
 PlotIDYeardistancevalue
Column Name:PlotID  
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distance  
value  
Definition:Plot Identification numberYear collectedDistance along contour gauge across channeldistance difference from the maximum value recorded (0) and the depth of the point along the contour gauge
Storage Type:string  
dateTime  
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float  
Measurement Type:nominaldateTimeratioratio
Measurement Values Domain:
Definitiontext
FormatYYYY
Precision
Unitcentimeter
Typereal
Min
Max44 
Unitcentimeter
Typereal
Min-30.5 
Max
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CodeNA
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Accuracy Assessment:        
Coverage:        
Methods:        

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/0def6dc28228813fe1c2c28b8cc8d75d
Name:Infiltration rate
Description:infiltration rate from single ring infiltrometer for first and second inch of water.
Number of Records:175
Number of Columns:4

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Table Column Descriptions
 YearPlotIDinchcm_per_min_2
Column Name:Year  
PlotID  
inch  
cm_per_min_2  
Definition:Year collectedPlot Identification numberWhether the first or second inch of water was added to the infiltration ringrate that water infiltrates into the soil
Storage Type:dateTime  
string  
string  
float  
Measurement Type:dateTimenominalnominalratio
Measurement Values Domain:
FormatYYYY
Precision
Definitiontext
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Code1
DefinitionFirst inch added to ambient soil conditions
Source
Code Definition
Code2
DefinitionSecond inch added to ambient after first inch had completely infiltrated
Source
Unitcentimeter per minute
Typereal
Missing Value Code:
CodeNA
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CodeNA
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CodeNA
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CodeNA
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Accuracy Report:        
Accuracy Assessment:        
Coverage:        
Methods:        

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/b6505c7e26a8bc89d0b367bce67b9189
Name:Vegetation biomass
Description:Aboveground biomass from 18in x 18in clip plots
Number of Records:81
Number of Columns:5

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Table Column Descriptions
 gDATEYearPlotIDveg
Column Name:g_m2  
DATE  
Year  
PlotID  
veg  
Definition:biomass dried at 60C for 3d from 18in x 18in clip plotsDate collectedYear collectedPlot Identification numberaboveground biomass from clip plots
Storage Type:float  
string  
dateTime  
string  
float  
Measurement Type:rationominaldateTimenominalratio
Measurement Values Domain:
Unitgram
Typereal
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Code1/18/23
DefinitionMDDYY
Source
Code Definition
Code10/27/22
DefinitionMMDDYY
Source
Code Definition
Code11/18/22
DefinitionMMDDYY
Source
Code Definition
Code11/9/22
DefinitionMMDYY
Source
Code Definition
Code9/25/22
DefinitionMDDYY
Source
FormatYYYY
Precision
Definitiontext
UnitgramPerMeterSquared
Typereal
Missing Value Code:
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Accuracy Report:          
Accuracy Assessment:          
Coverage:          
Methods:          

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/a899574b1de74315526613d9f980019f
Name:slake
Description:averages of six clod using the Herrick et al. 2001 test kit.
Number of Records:171
Number of Columns:3

Table Structure
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Table Column Descriptions
 PlotIDYearavg
Column Name:PlotID  
Year  
avg  
Definition:Plot Identification numberYear collectedaverage value of six clods using the Herrick stability test (unitless)
Storage Type:string  
dateTime  
float  
Measurement Type:nominaldateTimeratio
Measurement Values Domain:
Definitiontext
FormatYYYY
Precision
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Typereal
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Coverage:      
Methods:      

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/edb5c9ca550c8142cfa05e0e27af3afd
Name:veg_com
Description:vegetation from line intercept transect
Number of Records:80
Number of Columns:5

Table Structure
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Table Column Descriptions
 plotIDrichnessPROP_GRASSPROP_VEGYear
Column Name:plotID  
richness  
PROP_GRASS  
PROP_VEG  
Year  
Definition:Plot Identification numbernumber of species identified per plotproportion of the transect intercepts that hit a annual or perennial grassproportion of the transect intercepts that had living vegetationYear collected
Storage Type:string  
integer  
float  
float  
dateTime  
Measurement Type:nominalratioratioratiodateTime
Measurement Values Domain:
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Precision
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Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/8604aecae9ee64a74c52d4c1965bb0ef
Name:bare
Description:Proportion of bare ground on the line intercept transects
Number of Records:80
Number of Columns:2

Table Structure
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Table Column Descriptions
 PLOTPROP_BARE
Column Name:PLOT  
PROP_BARE  
Definition:Plot Identification numberproportion of the transect intercepts that hit bare ground
Storage Type:string  
float  
Measurement Type:nominalratio
Measurement Values Domain:
Definitiontext
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Typereal
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Accuracy Report:    
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Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/4783f2527df74967faaba962c767ccc6
Name:soilC
Description:soil carbon values from 0-10cm depth
Number of Records:50
Number of Columns:4

Table Structure
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Table Column Descriptions
 PlotIDOrganicCarbonPNotesInorganicC
Column Name:PlotID  
OrganicCarbonP  
Notes  
InorganicC  
Definition:Plot Identification numberorganic carbon (acid fumigated then dry combustionnotes on collection method if not from a soil coreinorganic carbon from dry combustion; only collected on a subset of samples
Storage Type:string  
float  
string  
float  
Measurement Type:nominalrationominalratio
Measurement Values Domain:
Definitiontext
Unitpercent
Typereal
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Codespade
Definitioncollected from a spade because soil was too full of clay to use the 3/4in core.
Source
Code Definition
Codenone
Definitiondefault was to use the 3/4 in diameter soil core and aggregate 5 subsamples
Source
Unitpercent
Typereal
Missing Value Code:    
CodeNA
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CodeNA
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Accuracy Report:        
Accuracy Assessment:        
Coverage:        
Methods:        

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/1890/1/6292fea48cc177b8bde77da7be2e3c51
Name:treatment
Description:Treatment information for each Plot ID
Number of Records:81
Number of Columns:7

Table Structure
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Table Column Descriptions
 blockPlotIDseedingamendmentdate_established_YYMMDDreplicateCounty
Column Name:block  
PlotID  
seeding  
amendment  
date_established_YYMMDD  
replicate  
County  
Definition:spatial block for groups of headcuts that were adjacent to each other. There was always at least one of each treatment combination in a block. Blocks were used if soil type was visibly different (e.g. a terrace vs. a slope) or an area along a road vs. near a cattle dirt tank on one ranch.Plot Identification numberseeding treatment - whether native seeds were added to the plot above the rock run down or notType of organic amendment applied - control, compost, or mulchDate the plot was set up with the seeding and organic amendment treatment. The rock run-down may have been constructed several days to weeks prior.replicate identifier within treatment combinationRanch identified to New Mexico county. Two ranches were in Rio Arriba county
Storage Type:string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
Measurement Type:nominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominal
Measurement Values Domain:
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Code1
Definitionfirst block per ranch
Source
Code Definition
Code2
Definitionsecond block per ranch
Source
Code Definition
Code3
Definitionthird block per ranch
Source
Definitiontext
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Codeno
Definitionno native seeds added to plot above erosion control structure
Source
Code Definition
Codeyes
Definitionnative seeds added to plot above erosion control structure
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Codecompost
Definition1/4 in of compost added with shovel and rake
Source
Code Definition
Codecontrol
DefinitionNo organic amendment added; if the other plots were raked when organic amendment was added, then the control plot was also raked. Other plots, the shovels were used to sprinkle the compost without the need for raking.
Source
Code Definition
Codemulch
Definition1/4 in of mulch added with shovel and rake
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Code211209
DefinitionYYMMDD
Source
Code Definition
Code211210
DefinitionYYMMDD
Source
Code Definition
Code211211
DefinitionYYMMDD
Source
Code Definition
Code211215
DefinitionYYMMDD
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
Codea
Definitionfirst replicate
Source
Code Definition
Codeb
Definitionsecond replicate
Source
Code Definition
Codec
Definitionthird replicate
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
CodeEddy
Definitionranch in Eddy county
Source
Code Definition
CodeMora
DefinitionRanch in Mora county
Source
Code Definition
CodeRio_Arriba_1
Definitionfirst ranch in Rio Arriba county
Source
Code Definition
CodeRio_Arriba_2
DefinitionSecond ranch in Rio Arriba county
Source
Code Definition
CodeSanta_Fe
Definitionranch in Santa Fe county
Source
Missing Value Code:              
Accuracy Report:              
Accuracy Assessment:              
Coverage:              
Methods:              

Data Package Usage 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

By Thesaurus:
(No thesaurus)compost, rock rundown, native grass seeding, soil stability, mulch
LTER Controlled Vocabularyerosion, soil carbon, restoration, productivity

Methods and Protocols

These methods, instrumentation and/or protocols apply to all data in this dataset:

Methods and protocols used in the collection of this data package
Description:

This study was conducted across five cattle ranches located throughout New Mexico.

At each ranch, we identified 18 headcuts (with the exception of the ranch in Mora, where we identified only 9 headcuts). In fall/winter of 2021, rock rundown structures were built and we marked a 5 m x 5 m plot immediately upslope of the structure. We collected baseline measurements for infiltration rate and aggregate stability in the plots and measured the cross-sectional area of the channel below the headcut (see below). We then randomly assigned the plots to a treatment combination in a full factorial design: organic amendment (three levels: compost, mulch, or control [no amendment added]) and native seed addition (two levels: 2.5 lbs of locally found native seeds applied across the plot by hand), or control [no seed applied]) with three replicates per treatment combination.

Organic amendments were applied to a 0.64 cm depth using wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels. Wood mulch was purchased from Soilutions in Albuquerque, NM. Premium Compost was also purchased from Soilutions and used at the Mora, Santa Fe, and Eddy county ranches. Compost purchased from a local hog farm that composts waste and wood chips in windrows was used for the two ranches in Rio Arriba County.

Several responses were measured in 2021 (baseline) and all measured after one year in 2022. Infiltration rate was measured with a single ring infiltrometer (15 cm diameter) in a randomly selected interspace in the plot. 444 mL of water was added and the time for infiltration was recorded, then the process was repeated with a second 444 ml. Aggregate stability was measured on six haphazardly-collected surface samples within the plot using methods from Herrick et al. (2001). We measured the channel cross sectional area using a portable erosion/accretion metering device described in Kornecki et al. (2008).

We assessed aboveground biomass within our study plots by collecting aboveground biomass using a randomly placed 45 cm x 45 cm PVC square to clip all plants to ground level after one year. Material was placed in paper bags, dried at 60 C for 3 days, oxidized material was removed with forceps to capture material that was likely to have been alive in the previous 1 year, and weighed to 0.01 g. Vegetative cover and species richness and diversity were captured using the line intercept method on a 5 m diagonal transect in the plot above each rock structure. We identified dominant plants that intersected the transect every 5 cm or categorized the point as bare ground or litter. Litter included fine and coarse herbaceous and woody debris and dung. Soil carbon was measured after one year by taking one soil core in each study plot (2 cm diameter, 10 cm depth) and soil samples were sent to Ward Laboratories (https://www.wardlab.com/) where soil organic carbon levels were analyzed using the combustion method.

References:

J.E Herrick, W.G Whitford, A.G de Soyza, J.W Van Zee, K.M Havstad, C.A Seybold, M Walton (2001) Field soil aggregate stability kit for soil quality and rangeland health evaluations, CATENA, 44(1), 27-35, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(00)00173-9.

T. S. Kornecki, J. L. Fouss, S. A. Prior (2008) A portable device to measure soil erosion/deposition in quarter-drains. Soil Use and Management 24(4), 401-408, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2008.00181.x.

People and Organizations

Publishers:
Organization:Environmental Data Initiative
Email Address:
info@edirepository.org
Web Address:
https://edirepository.org
Id:https://ror.org/0330j0z60
Creators:
Individual: Eva Stricker
Organization:Quivira Coalition
Position:Director of the Carbon Ranch Initiative
Address:
1413 Second St. Suite 1,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 United States
Phone:
5055734734 (voice)
Email Address:
eva@quiviracoalition.org
Web Address:
http://quiviracoalition.org
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9742-3434
Contacts:
Individual: Eva Stricker
Organization:Quivira Coalition
Position:Director of the Carbon Ranch Initiative
Address:
1413 Second St. Suite 1,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 United States
Email Address:
eva@quiviracoalition.org
Web Address:
http://quiviracoalition.org
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9742-3434

Temporal, Geographic and Taxonomic Coverage

Temporal, Geographic and/or Taxonomic information that applies to all data in this dataset:

Time Period
Begin:
2021-12-01
End:
2023-12-01
Geographic Region:
Description:Ranches in New Mexico
Bounding Coordinates:
Northern:  36.579556Southern:  32.002506
Western:  -106.458972Eastern:  -104.826879

Project

Parent Project Information:

Title:Building productivity and soil health with erosion control structures in arid rangelands: effects of organic amendments and seeding.
Personnel:
Individual: Eva Stricker
Email Address:
eva@quiviracoalition.org
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9742-3434
Role:Principal Investigator
Abstract:

Erosion on rangelands threatens soil health and in turn the productivity of plants, livestock, and producers. Extreme rainfall and drought are exacerbating risks of sheet erosion, and thus we must find rapid, effective ways to reduce erosion. To increase plant establishment and productivity, interest is growing in using organic amendments and native seeding with erosion control structures. We want to ask 1) does adding organic matter and/or 2) does adding propagules improve vegetation development in an actively eroding area? We propose to build rock rundowns on 18 headcuts on each of five dryland ranches and compare compost, mulch, and no organic amendments, with and without dryland grass seed additions. We will measure vegetation composition and biomass, soil moisture, infiltration rate, aggregate stability and other physical and chemical properties, and erosion or accretion in headcut channels. Understanding which treatment combinations yield the most rapid benefits will allow ranchers to evaluate costs and outcomes for better decision making.

Additional Award Information:
Funder:Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Number:OW21-362
Title:Professional + Producer
URL:https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/ow21-362/
Additional Award Information:
Funder:National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Number:2021-67019-34249
Title:G355-20-W7900

Maintenance

Maintenance:
Description:

Data is stored on Quivira Coalition shared drive in the password protected Google workspace. There is not currently funding for ongoing data collection.

Frequency:notPlanned
Other Metadata

Additional Metadata

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EDI is a collaboration between the University of New Mexico and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Center for Limnology:

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