U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, 2002, Plant and Soil Characterizations in a Spartina alterniflora Saltmarsh Experiencing Dieback in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, Task 2.4:.This is part of the following larger work.
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program Scientific-Technical Committee, 20010207, Requests for submission of Scope of Services for Marsh Dieback and Nutria Control Emergency Response: Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program Scientific-Technical Committee, Thibodaux, LA.Online Links:
U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
c/o Thomas C. Michot
Wildlife Biologist
700 Cajundome Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70506
USA
337 266-8664 (voice)
337 266-8513 (FAX)
To determine the causes of the brown marsh phenomenon
Sites were established for both healthy and stressed saltmarsh environments (referenced and impacted, respectively). An initial site, established in June 2000, was identified into 5 vegetation zones based on color and vegetation characteristics. Transects were set up to measure boundaries and to track them over time. For each zone, randomly placed four square-metered quadrants were established. Data collection - for vegetative characteristics, the number and height of live and dead stems were measured; for dead stems, presence or absence of leaf material is indicated, and whether the dead leaves are intact or frayed. For live stems, leaves were counted, measured, and classified according to color green percentage (>90% green, 50-90% green, or <50% green). For soil and physical characteristics, salinity, conductivity, pH, Eh, sulfides, and nutrients were measured in or adjacent to each quadrant at depths of 0 cm (surface), 15 cm and 30 cm below the sediment surface. The interstitial water samples were collected with a siphon and syringe. Salinity, pH and water temperature were measured onsite. Filtered porewater samples (filtered through ashed GF/F filters) were packed on ice for lab analysis of NH4, N+N, NO2 and PO4. Sediment redox potential was measured with a platinum wire and standard calomel electrode standardized with quinhydron.
The accuracy of the attributes is determined by the experienced field biologists and the integrity of the equipment and its maintenance. An exact percent of accuracy can not be determined and would require a more formal comparison of data collection procedures.
There are no known omissions in the data.
All equipment was calibrated according to manufacturers' guideline. Field procedures for all site visits were followed every time. Contact Principal investigator for all deviations in data collection.
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints:
- Data generated by the Brown Marsh principal investigators will be available only to the project’s other principal investigators, following the established QA/QC review, for a period of two years. After two years from the finalization of the data, it shall be made available to the public. Please contact the principal investigator for exact date of availability. It is strongly recommended that these data be directly acquired from the Brown Marsh Database Information Management System server and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way.
- Use_Constraints:
- Acknowledgement of the principal investigator as a data source would be appreciated in products developed from these data, and such acknowledgement as is standard for citation and legal practices for data source is expected by users of these data. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, methodologies, data collections and computer processes over time. The principal investigator and the distributor shall not be liable for improper or incorrect use of these data, based on the description of appropriate/inappropriate uses described in this metadata document. The principal investigator and distributor make no claims as to the data’s suitability for other purposes. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such.
U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
c/o Scott Wilson
Electrical Engineer
700 Cajundome Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70506
USA
337 266-8664 (voice)
337 266-8513 (FAX)
scott_wilson@usgs.gov
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the designated principal investigator’s facility, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from the official Brown Marsh Database Information Management System server or from the principal investigator, and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be given to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. The Brown Marsh committee shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. So, these data are provided as is and without any express or implied warranties. Also, use of trade names or commercial products in the metadata file is solely for the purpose of providing specific information, and does not imply recommendation or endorsement. Any downloading and use of these data signifies a user’s agreement to comprehension and compliance of the disclaimer. Insure all portions of metadata are read and clearly understood before using these data in order to protect both user and principal investigators interests.
| Data format: | Microsoft Excel (version 97) |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://www.brownmarsh.net> |
None
R. Scott Kemmerer
U.S. Geological Survey/NWRC-JWCS
Biologist
700 Cajundome Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70506
USA
337 266-8669 (voice)
337 266-8592 (FAX)
scott_kemmerer@usgs.gov