Habitat Suitability - Soil Biota

Summary

Abstract: 

Investigation of the variation in soil biota and soil properties across the McMurdo Dry Valleys as part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project. The identification and abundance of soil biota are reported.

Date Range: 

November 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993
Data Citation
Wall, D.H. 2014. Habitat Suitability - Soil Biota . Environmental Data Initiative. DOI: 10.6073/pasta/aa0c07ef6ee1d32e8b83212d30fb81e3. Dataset accessed 6 July 2025.
Dataset(s)

Description: 

Comma delimted file hosting the bdwo data

Variables (click to expand): 

LOCATION
  • Label:
  • Definition: Name of area where measurement was made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SAMPLE #
  • Label:
  • Definition: Sample ID
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label: Date
  • Definition: Date on which sample was gathered
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: mm/dd/yyyy
  • Missing values: None specified
TYPE OF ORGANISM
  • Label:
  • Definition: Family associated with organism
  • Type: Code list
  • Codes:
    • Nematode = Nematode
    • Rotifer = Rotifers
    • Tardigrades = Tardigrades
  • Missing values: None specified
SPECIES
  • Label:
  • Definition: Species found in soil
  • Type: Code list
  • Codes:
    • Scottnema = Scottnema
    • Eudorylaimus = Eudorylaimus
    • Plectus = Plectus
    • Combined = Combined Species
    • Unknown = Unknown Species
  • Missing values: None specified
SEX
  • Label:
  • Definition: Gender of organism (male vs. female)
  • Type: Code list
  • Codes:
    • Male = Male
    • Female = Female
    • Combined = Both Male and Females
    • Undetermined = Sex undetermined
  • Missing values: None specified
LIVE/DEAD/COMBINED
  • Label:
  • Definition: Survival Status (living, dead, or both)
  • Type: Code list
  • Codes:
    • Dead = Dead Organism
    • Live = Live Organism
    • Combined = Both Dead and Live
    • Undetermined = Status undetermined
  • Missing values: None specified
ADULT/JUVENILE/COMBINED
  • Label:
  • Definition: Maturity (adult, juvenile, or both)
  • Type: Code list
  • Codes:
    • Adult = Adult stage
    • Juvenile = Juvenile Stage
    • Combined = Both Adult and Juvenile
    • Undetermined = Undetermined stage
  • Missing values: None specified
TOTAL (#/KG DRY SOIL)
  • Label:
  • Definition: Number of organisms found in that category
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: #/KG DRY SOIL
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values: None specified
COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Helpful hints about the sample
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: Name of file in which data was stored
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

bdwo.csv (197.49 KB)

Short name: 

bdwo

Dataset ID: 

255
People

Principal Investigator(s): 

Diana H. Wall

Contact: 

McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER

Associated Personnel: 

Associated Researcher
Ross A. Virginia
Lab Crew
Nicole M DeCrappeo
Data Manager
Chris Gardner
Data Manager
Inigo San Gil
Related

Related publications: 

Determining habitat suitability for soil invertebrates in an extreme environment: The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.
Methodology

Methods: 

No methods were detailed for the collection of this dataset, however, protocols used mimic those of other MCMLTER Soil studies by Diana H. Wall.

Additional information: 

Categories

Research Section: 

LTER Core Areas: 

MCM Keywords: 

Metadata Download