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Moss nutrient plasticity and stoichiometry
Summary
Abstract:
The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica is one of the coldest and driest habitats on the planet. As vascular plants are absent in this region, moss is the main form of above-ground primary production with a potentially important contribution to biogeochemical cycling, yet little is known about their ecological role. To determine the relationship between moss and soil properties relevant to biogeochemistry, we sampled both from a variety of locations in the Dry Valleys. Moss presence was compared to soil properties, and we measured the plasticity of moss stoichiometry (C:N:P) across gradients in nutrient availability. Results demonstrate that many soil properties significantly differed with moss presence, particularly conductivity and pH, but there is no strong evidence that this is caused by the moss presence and not the conditions inherent to the microsites where moss was found. There is great variability in moss stoichiometry, with some significant differences between sites, but generally variability within sites is larger than variation among sites. Results suggest that the main source of moss nutrients is from the soil, rather than water, but correlations with any one nutrient source are weak, suggesting a great deal of plasticity in moss stoichiometry and nutrient uptake.
Related Publication citation: Ball, B. and R. Virginia. 2014.
The ecological role of moss in a polar desert: implications for aboveground-belowground and terrestrial-aquatic linkages
. Polar Biology 37:651-664.
Date Range:
Saturday, December 1, 2007
to
Monday, January 31, 2011
CSV file Moss Nutrients
Download MossNutrientData.csv
(13.71 KB)
Variables (click to expand):
DATASET_CODE
Label:
Definition:
Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database - SOILS_MOSS_NUTRIENTS
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
SITE
Label:
Definition:
The 3- or 4-letter code for the location of the moss sample
Type:
Code list
Codes:
AIK = Aiken Creek
AND = Anderson Creek
BOH = Bohner Creek
CAN = Canada Glacier ASPA
CPCR = Cape Crozier
CPRO = Cape Royds
CRES = Crescent Stream
DEL = Delta Stream
GAR = Garwood Valley
GRN = Green Creek
HARN = Harnish Creek
HUEY = Huey Creek
LB = Lake Bonney (south shore)
LKCHD = Lake Chad (south shore)
LF = Lake Fryxell (south shore)
LH = Lake Hoare (north shore)
LSC = Lost Seal Creek
LYONS = Lyons Stream
MCK = McKnight Creek
OBH = Observation Hill
PRISC = Priscu Stream
SNOW = Snow Patch north of Lake Fryxell
VONG = Von Guerard Stream
WHAR = Wharton Creek
Missing values:
None specified
LOCATION_NAME
Label:
Definition:
Name of the location were the sample was acquired
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
DATE_TIME
Label:
DATE_TIME
Definition:
The date (MM/DD/YY) the moss and soil samples were collected from the field
Type:
Date/time
Date format:
MM/DD/YYYY
Missing values:
None specified
MOSSC
Label:
MossC
Definition:
Total carbon content of the moss - percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
MOSSN
Label:
MossN
Definition:
Total nitrogen content of the moss - percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
MOSSP
Label:
MossP
Definition:
Total phosphorous content of the moss - percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILAMMO
Label:
SoilAmmo
Definition:
Extractable ammonia concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILNITR
Label:
SoilNitr
Definition:
Extractable nitrate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILPHOS
Label:
SoilPhos
Definition:
Extractable phosphate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILC
Label:
SoilC
Definition:
Total carbon content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILN
Label:
SoilN
Definition:
Total nitrogen content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILCORG
Label:
SoilCorg
Definition:
Soil organic carbon content determined as the carbon content of acidified soil -percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SWC
Label:
Swc
Definition:
The gravimetric soil water content -per unit weight % g/g
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
GROUNDNITR
Label:
GroundNitr
Definition:
Nitrate concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerLiter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
GROUNDAMMO
Label:
GroundAmmo
Definition:
Ammonia concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerLiter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
GROUNDPHOS
Label:
GroundPhos
Definition:
Phosphate concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerLiter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
STREAMNITR
Label:
StreamNitr
Definition:
Nitrate concentration in the stream water - micrograms per Liter
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerLiter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
STREAMAMMO
Label:
StreamAmmo
Definition:
Ammonia concentration in the stream water - micrograms per Liter
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerLiter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
STREAMPHOS
Label:
StreamPhos
Definition:
Phosphate concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerLiter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
CSV file for Soil Transects
Download SoilTransectData.csv
(46.32 KB)
Variables (click to expand):
DATASET_CODE
Label:
Definition:
Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database - SOILS_MOSS_NUTRIENTS
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
LOCATION_NAME
Label:
Definition:
Name of the location were the sample was acquired
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
SITE
Label:
Definition:
The 3- or 4-letter code for the location of the moss sample
Type:
Code list
Codes:
CS1 = Canada Stream #1
CS3 = Canada Stream #3
DS = Delta Stream
GV = Garwood Valley
GC = Green Creek
HC1 = Huey Creek #1
HC2 = Huey Creek #2
LS = Lost Seal Stream
MC = McKnight Creek
SP1 = Snow Patch #1
SP2 = Snow Patch #2
SP3 = Snow Patch #3
SP4 = Snow Patch #4
SP5 = Snow Patch #5
VG = Von Guerard Stream
Missing values:
None specified
TRANSECT
Label:
Definition:
The letter representing the replicate transect at that site (A, B, or C)
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
POSITION
Label:
Definition:
The number representing the position of the soil sample along the transect (1, 2, 3 or 3b, 4 or 4b)
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
DEPTH
Label:
Definition:
The upper 0-2 cm soil sample (U) or lower 2-7 cm soil sample (L).
Type:
Code list
Codes:
U = upper 0-2 cm soil sample
L = lower 2-7 cm soil sample
Missing values:
None specified
MOSS
Label:
Definition:
Presence/Absence of moss in the sample
Type:
Code list
Codes:
Y = Yes, there was moss present above that soil sample
No = No, there was no moss present and the soil sample did not come from under moss.
Missing values:
None specified
DATE_TIME
Label:
DATE_TIME
Definition:
The date (MM/DD/YY) the moss and soil samples were collected from the field
Type:
Date/time
Date format:
MM/DD/YYYY
Missing values:
None specified
NH4
Label:
NH4
Definition:
Extractable ammonia concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
NO3
Label:
NO3
Definition:
Extractable nitrate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
PO4
Label:
PO4
Definition:
Extractable phosphate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILC
Label:
SoilC
Definition:
Total carbon content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILN
Label:
SoilN
Definition:
Total nitrogen content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SOILCORG
Label:
SoilCorg
Definition:
Soil organic carbon content determined as the carbon content of acidified soil -percent by weight
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
PH
Label:
pH
Definition:
The inverse of log of the hydrogen ion concentration of a 1:2 soil water paste - dimensionless number that may range from 0 to 14.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
EC
Label:
EC
Definition:
The electrical conductivity in microSiemens/cm of a 1:5 soil:deionized water solution.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microSiemensPerCentimeter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
SWC
Label:
Swc
Definition:
The gravimetric soil water content -per unit weight % g/g
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
BMASS
Label:
Bmass
Definition:
The Microbial biomass carbon in micro grams of carbon per gram of soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
microgramsPerGram
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
DOI:
10.6073/pasta/7de39d6f2feec6b636d3e0988b50ebcf
Short name:
Moss Nutrients
Dataset ID:
4015
People
Principal Investigator(s):
Becky A. Ball
Arizona State University
Contact:
McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER
Associated Personnel:
Associated Researcher
Ross A. Virginia
Data Manager
Inigo San Gil
Related
Related publications:
The ecological role of moss in a polar desert: implications for aboveground- belowground and terrestrial -aquatic linkages.