Data Package Metadata   View Summary

Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: microbial biomass and activity at climate gradient plots, 2010-2012

General Information
Data Package:
Local Identifier:knb-lter-hbr.197.6
Title:Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: microbial biomass and activity at climate gradient plots, 2010-2012
Alternate Identifier:knb-lter-hbr.197
Alternate Identifier:DOI PLACE HOLDER
Abstract:

In October 2010, as part of a study of the relationships between snow depth, soil freezing and nutrient cycling (http://www.ecostudies.org/people_sci_groffman_snow_summary.html), we established 6 20 x 20 m plots (intensive plots) and 14 10 x 10-m plots (extensive plots) following an elevation gradient, with eight of the plots facing north and twelve facing south. Seasonal (spring, summer autumn) measurements of soil nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) concentrations, microbial biomass carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, microbial respiration, potential nitrification and N mineralization rates, and denitrification potential occurred from 2010 – 2012.

These data were gathered as part of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES). The HBES is a collaborative effort at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station.

Short Name:Microbial Biomass Climate Gradient
Publication Date:2020-01-31
Language:English

Time Period
Begin:
2010-11-19
End:
2012-08-07

People and Organizations
Contact:Information Manager (Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study) [  email ]
Creator:Groffman, Peter M 
Creator:Martel, Lisa 
Creator:Duran, Jorge 

Data Entities
Data Table Name:
Hubbard Brook Climate Gradient Microbial Biomass and Activity
Description:
Hubbard Brook Climate Gradient Microbial Biomass and Activity
Detailed Metadata

Data Entities


Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-hbr/197/6/f6a818339216aa8ad7174fe7bf5d370e
Name:Hubbard Brook Climate Gradient Microbial Biomass and Activity
Description:Hubbard Brook Climate Gradient Microbial Biomass and Activity
Number of Records:300
Number of Columns:17

Table Structure
Object Name:HubbardBrook_ClimateGradient_MicrobialBiomass_2010-2012.csv
Size:33313 byte
Authentication:b8db0ae9a6e79de912786173e6a85329 Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 ProjectDateYearSeasonTreatmentElevationSampleHorizonBIOCRESPCBIONNO3NH4NITMINDEAH2O
Column Name:Project  
Date  
Year  
Season  
Treatment  
Elevation  
Sample  
Horizon  
BIOC  
RESPC  
BION  
NO3  
NH4  
NIT  
MIN  
DEA  
H2O  
Definition:Project nameSample dateYear of sample collectionSeasonTreatmentElevationSample locationSoil horizonMicrobial biomassSoil respiration rateMicrobial biomass NSoil nitrateSoil ammoniumPotential net nitrificationPotential net N mineralizationDenitrification enzyme activityGravimetric water content gram water Per gram wet soil
Storage Type:string  
date  
date  
string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
float  
float  
float  
float  
float  
float  
float  
float  
float  
Measurement Type:nominaldateTimedateTimenominalnominalnominalnominalnominalratioratioratioratioratioratioratioratioratio
Measurement Values Domain:
Definitionany text
FormatYYYY-MM-DD
Precision
FormatYYYY
Precision
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
CodeW
DefinitionWinter
Source
Code Definition
CodeSp
DefinitionSpring
Source
Code Definition
CodeSu
DefinitionSummer
Source
Code Definition
CodeF
DefinitionFall
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
CodeNA
DefinitionTreatment not applicable to gradient study
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
CodeNA
DefinitionNA
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
CodeIL2
DefinitionIntensive Low Elevation Plot 2
Source
Code Definition
CodeIL1
DefinitionIntensive Low Elevation Plot 1
Source
Code Definition
CodeE3
DefinitionExtensive Plot 3
Source
Code Definition
CodeE4
DefinitionExtensive Plot 4
Source
Code Definition
CodeE5
DefinitionExtensive Plot 5
Source
Code Definition
CodeE6
DefinitionExtensive Plot 6
Source
Code Definition
CodeE7
DefinitionExtensive Plot 7
Source
Code Definition
CodeE8
DefinitionExtensive Plot 8
Source
Code Definition
CodeE9
DefinitionExtensive Plot 9
Source
Code Definition
CodeE10
DefinitionExtensive Plot 10
Source
Code Definition
CodeE11
DefinitionExtensive Plot 11
Source
Code Definition
CodeE11-B
DefinitionExtensive Plot 11-B
Source
Code Definition
CodeE12
DefinitionExtensive Plot 12
Source
Code Definition
CodeE13
DefinitionExtensive Plot 13
Source
Code Definition
CodeE14
DefinitionExtensive Plot 14
Source
Code Definition
CodeIL3
DefinitionIntensive Low Elevation Plot 3
Source
Code Definition
CodeIH1
DefinitionIntensive High Elevation Plot 1
Source
Code Definition
CodeIH2
DefinitionIntensive High Elevation Plot 2
Source
Code Definition
CodeIH3
DefinitionIntensive High Elevation Plot 3
Source
Code Definition
CodeE1
DefinitionExtensive Plot 1
Source
Code Definition
CodeE2
DefinitionExtensive Plot 2
Source
Allowed Values and Definitions
Enumerated Domain 
Code Definition
CodeOi/Oe
DefinitionOi and Oe horizons combined
Source
Code Definition
CodeOa/A
DefinitionOa and A horizons combined
Source
Code Definition
CodeO
Definitionhe entire O horizon: Oi, Oe, and Oa combined
Source
Code Definition
CodeMin
DefinitionThe first 10 cm of mineral soil below the A horizon (E and/or B)
Source
UnitmilligramPerKilogram
Typereal
UnitmilligramPerKilogramPerDay
Typereal
UnitmilligramPerKilogram
Typereal
UnitmilligramPerKilogram
Typereal
UnitmilligramPerKilogram
Typereal
UnitmilligramPerKilogramPerDay
Typereal
UnitmilligramPerKilogramPerDay
Typereal
UnitmicrogramPerKilogramPerHour
Typereal
UnitgramPerGram
Typereal
Missing Value Code:                
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
Code-9999.99
ExplData missing or not taken at this time
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:
Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Studyclimate gradient, Hubbard Brook LTER
LTER Network Controlled Vocabularyammonium, carbon, denitrification, microbes, microbial activity, microbial biomass, microbial nitrogen, mineralization, nitrate, nitrification, nitrogen, respiration, soil
LTER Network Core Research Areasinorganic nutrients, primary production
ISO 19115 Topic Categorybiota
US Forest Service National Research & Development TaxonomyEcology, Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment, Hydrology, watersheds, sedimentation, Soil

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:

LOCATION DESCRIPTION

In October 2010, we selected 20 independent plots (separated by >300 m) 10 m diameter plots along an elevation gradient that spanned 375 – 775 m asl. This gradient encompasses a range in mean annual temperature of ~2.5 oC that is similar to the change projected to occur with climate change over the next 50-100 years in northeastern North America (Hayhoe et al., 2007). There was relatively little variation in soil types with all plots being located on well to moderately well-drained soils dominated by typic Haplorthods. The vegetation in the plots was characteristic of northern hardwood forests and was dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum) along the gradient (Schwarz et al., 2003).

SAMPLING DESIGN

Samples were collected in November 2010, May 2011, Aug 2011, March 2012 and August 2012. Samples were collected with a split- PVC corer. A split PVC corer consists of a piece of 2 inch (5 cm) PVC pipe, about 15-20 cm long, split lengthwise on both sides. The corer is actually in two pieces. We put the corer together along the cuts, and duct-tape one side -- the "hinge" side. Holding the corer firmly together, we hammer it 10-15cm into the ground. The corer is removed and then opened with the intact soil core inside. The soil is split into three layers (Oi/Oe, Oa/A, and mineral horizons). Each horizon is measured and placed into a sample bag. We typically collect 2-8 cores per site, compositing all cores by horizon.

DATA DESCRIPTION

Oi and Oe horizons were composited into one sample, as were Oa and A horizons. Mineral samples generally consist of the top 10 cm of mineral soil beginning below the A horizon.

LABORATORY PROCEDURES

Samples were stored at 4oC between sampling and analysis (from less than 1 week to up to three weeks). Soils were manually homogenized: all large rocks, roots, and other non-decomposed organic material were removed, and samples were thoroughly mixed. No more than three minutes were spent homogenizing any sample. All samples were held at field moisture before analysis. Soil water content was determined gravimetrically.

Microbial biomass C and N content was measured using the chloroform fumigation-incubation method (Jenkinson and Powlson 1976). Soils were fumigated to kill and lyse microbial cells in the sample. The fumigated sample was inoculated with fresh soil and sealed in a jar, and microorganisms from the fresh soil grew vigorously using the killed cells as substrate. The flushes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2 M KCl extractable inorganic N (NH4+ and NO3-) released by the actively growing cells during a 10-day incubation at field moisture content were assumed to be directly proportional to the amount of C and N in the microbial biomass of the original sample. A proportionality constant (0.41) was used to calculate biomass C from the CO2 flush in the fumigated samples. Biomass N is the total inorganic N flush in the fumigated samples. 

Inorganic N and CO2 production were also measured in "control" samples. Control samples were prepared in the same fashion as those listed above, but were not fumigated. These incubations provided estimates of microbial respiration and potential net N mineralization and nitrification. Microbial respiration was quantified from the amount of CO2 evolved over the 10-day incubation. Potential net N mineralization and nitrification were quantified from the accumulation of NH4+ plus NO3- and NO3- alone during the 10-day incubation. We measured 2 M KCl extractable inorganic N in the fresh soil samples to determine the initial soil NO3- and NH4+ concentrations. Carbon dioxide was measured by thermal conductivity gas chromatography. Inorganic N was measured colorometerically using an autoanalyzer (Lachat Quikchem 8100). 

Denitrification enzyme activity was measured using the short-term anaerobic assay described by Smith and Tiedje (1979). Sieved soils were amended with NO3- (100 mg N kg-1), glucose (40 mg kg-1), chloramphenicol (10 mg kg-1) and acetylene (10 kPa) and were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 90 minutes. Gas samples were taken at 30 and 90 minutes, stored in evacuated glass tubes and analyzed for N2O by electron capture gas chromatography. For more information on any of the methods described above, refer to Standard Soil Methods for Long-Term Ecological Research (1999).

CALCULATIONS

All results are expressed on a per gram of dry soil basis. Values can be converted to a “per area” basis using data on the mass of different soil horizons found elsewhere on the data page of this website.

REFERENCES

People and Organizations

Publishers:
Organization:Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study
Address:
234 Mirror Lake Road,
North Woodstock, NH 03262 United States
Creators:
Individual: Peter M Groffman
Email Address:
GroffmanP@caryinstitute.org
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8371-6255
Individual: Lisa Martel
Email Address:
martell@caryinstitute.org
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0156-4954
Individual: Jorge Duran
Contacts:
Organization:Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study
Position:Information Manager
Address:
234 Mirror Lake Road,
North Woodstock, NH 03262 United States
Email Address:
hbr-im@lternet.edu
Web Address:
https://hubbardbrook.org

Temporal, Geographic and Taxonomic Coverage

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

Time Period
Begin:
2010-11-19
End:
2012-08-07
Sampling Site: 
Description:IL1: Intensive Low Elevation Plot 1. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 282144, Y= 4869478
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.71479424Latitude (degree): 43.94617659
Sampling Site: 
Description:IL2: Intensive Low Elevation Plot 2. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 281685, Y= 4869704
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.72060047Latitude (degree): 43.94807308
Sampling Site: 
Description:IL3: Intensive Low Elevation Plot 3. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 280887, Y= 4869966
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.73064174Latitude (degree): 43.95019236
Sampling Site: 
Description:IH1: Intensive High Elevation Plot 1. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 277790, Y= 4868286
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.7684914Latitude (degree): 43.93415543
Sampling Site: 
Description:IH2: Intensive High Elevation Plot 2. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 277888, Y= 4868064
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.76717913Latitude (degree): 43.93218854
Sampling Site: 
Description:IH3: Intensive High Elevation Plot 3. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 278314, Y= 4867892
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.76180633Latitude (degree): 43.93077007
Sampling Site: 
Description:E1: Extensive Plot 1. Aspect: North. UTM: X=277410, Y=4867546
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.77291084Latitude (degree): 43.92738579
Sampling Site: 
Description:E2: Extensive Plot 2. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 277111, Y= 4867074
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.77643367Latitude (degree): 43.92305067
Sampling Site: 
Description:E3: Extensive Plot 3. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 276485, Y= 4850906
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.77745584Latitude (degree): 43.91985666
Sampling Site: 
Description:E4: Extensive Plot 4. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 277986, Y= 4867455
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.76570567Latitude (degree): 43.92674122
Sampling Site: 
Description:E5: Extensive Plot 5. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 278055, Y= 4866940
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.76463237Latitude (degree): 43.92213059
Sampling Site: 
Description:E6: Extensive Plot 6. Aspect: North. UTM: X= 281632, Y= 4870329
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.72151804Latitude (degree): 43.95368099
Sampling Site: 
Description:E7: Extensive Plot 7. Aspect: South. UTM: UTM: X= 281869, Y= 4870458
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.71862125Latitude (degree): 43.95490408
Sampling Site: 
Description:E8: Extensive Plot 8. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 281785, Y= 4870899
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.71984434Latitude (degree): 43.95885229
Sampling Site: 
Description:E9: Extensive Plot 9. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 281650, Y= 4871108
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.72161276Latitude (degree): 43.96068944
Sampling Site: 
Description:E10: Extensive Plot 10. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 281068, Y= 4870840
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.72874928Latitude (degree): 43.95810127
Sampling Site: 
Description:E11: Extensive Plot 11. Abandonded in Fall 2011 and replaced with 11-B. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 279820, Y= 4870325
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.74407265Latitude (degree): 43.95310239
Sampling Site: 
Description:E11-B: Extensive Plot 11-B. Replacement for E11 started in Fall 2011. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 279957, Y= 4870590
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.74247222Latitude (degree): 43.95552778
Sampling Site: 
Description:E12: Extensive Plot 12. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 290093, Y= 4870317
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.74066667Latitude (degree): 43.95311111
Sampling Site: 
Description:E13: Extensive Plot 13. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 280252, Y= 4870034
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.73857446Latitude (degree): 43.95061447
Sampling Site: 
Description:E14: Extensive Plot 14. Aspect: South. UTM: X= 281277, Y= 4870177
Site Coordinates:
Longitude (degree): -71.72587194Latitude (degree): 43.95220301

Project

Parent Project Information:

Title:LTER: Long-term ecological research at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest
Personnel:
Individual: Timothy Fahey
Role:principalInvestigator
Individual: Peter Groffman
Role:Co-Investigator
Funding:

Wholly or in part by NSF LTER #1114804

Other Metadata

Additional Metadata

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