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Polygon Study: Variability in soil biogeochemistry and biodiversity
Summary
Abstract:
In the Antarctic Dry Valleys, soil polygons are prominent features of the landscape and may be key units for scaling local ecological information to the greater region. We examined polygon soils in each of the 3 basins of Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Our objectives were to characterize variability in soil biogeochemistry and biodiversity at local to regional scales, and to test the influence of soil properties upon invertebrate communities. We found that soil biogeochemical properties and biodiversity vary over multiple spatial scales from fine (less than 10 m) to broad (greater than 10 km) scales. Differences in biogeochemistry were most pronounced at broad scales among the major lake basins of Taylor Valley corresponding to differences in geology and microclimate, while variation in invertebrate biodiversity and abundance occurred at landscape scales of 10-500 m, and within individual soil polygons. Variation in biogeochemistry and invertebrate communities across these scales reflects the influence of physical processes and landscape development over ecosystem structure in the dry valleys. The development of soil polygons influences the spatial patterning of soil properties such as soil organic matter, salinity, moisture, and invertebrate habitat suitability. Nematode abundance and life history data indicate that polygon interiors are more suitable habitats than soils in the troughs at the edges of polygons. These data suggest that physical processes (i.e. polygon development) and biogeochemistry are an important influence on the spatial variability of biotic communities in dry valley soil ecosystems.
Date Range:
November 29, 1994
to
December 8, 1994
Data Citation
Wall, D.H., Virginia, R.A.
2014
.
Polygon Study: Variability in soil biogeochemistry and biodiversity
.
Environmental Data Initiative. DOI:
10.6073/pasta/b9626a149c2f168bad27f68d87433d9e
.
Dataset accessed 18 February 2025.
Dataset(s)
Variables (click to expand):
DATASET_CODE
Label:
Definition:
Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
DATE_TIME
Label:
Definition:
Date when sample was acquired
Type:
Date/time
Date format:
MM/DD/YYYY
Missing values:
None specified
BASIN
Label:
Definition:
the basin where the sample was located (Fryxell, Hoare, Bonney)
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
UNIT
Label:
Definition:
The # assigned to the 3-polygon cluster from where the sample was collected.
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
POLYGON
Label:
Definition:
The number assigned to the polygon from where the sample was collected.
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
DISTANCE
Label:
Definition:
distance in meters from the polygon crack or trough
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
meter
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
None specified
MOISTURE
Label:
Definition:
The gravimetric soil water content
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
percent g/g
Maximum:
100
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
Chlorophyll a
Label:
Definition:
The chlorophyll a content of the sample expressed per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
mg chl-a/kg soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
Not specified
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SML
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living male Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SMD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead male Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SFL
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living female Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SFD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead female Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SJL
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living juvenile Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SJD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead juvenile Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SA
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living and dead Scottmema lindsayae adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SJ
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living and dead Scottmema lindsayae juvenile nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
STL
Label:
Definition:
total number of living Scottmema lindsayae (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
STD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead Scottmema lindsayae (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
ST
Label:
Definition:
The total number of live + dead Scottmema lindsayae (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SMORT
Label:
Definition:
Mortality, the ratio of dead to live Scottmema lindsayae (juvenile and adults) nematodes.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SFECUND
Label:
Definition:
Fecundity, the ratio of juvenile to female Scottmema lindsayae (juvenile and adults) nematodes.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SSEX
Label:
Definition:
Sex ratio, the ratio of male to female Scottmema lindsayae (juvenile and adults) nematodes.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EML
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living male Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EMD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead male Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EFL
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living female Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EFD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead female Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EJL
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living juvenile Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EJD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead juvenile Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EA
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living and dead Eudorylaimus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EJ
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living and dead Eudorylaimus juvenile nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
ETL
Label:
Definition:
total number of living Eudorylaimus (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
ETD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead Eudorylaimus (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
ET
Label:
Definition:
The total number of live + dead Eudorylaimus (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EMORT
Label:
Definition:
Mortality, the ratio of dead to live Eudorylaimus (juvenile and adults) nematodes.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
EFECUND
Label:
Definition:
Fecundity, the ratio of juvenile to female Eudorylaimus (juvenile and adults) nematodes.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
ESEX
Label:
Definition:
Sex ratio, the ratio of male to female Eudorylaimus (juvenile and adults) nematodes.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PFL
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living female Plectus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PFD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead female Plectus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PJL
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living juvenile Plectus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PJD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead juvenile Plectus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PA
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living and dead Plectus adult nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PJ
Label:
Definition:
The total number of living and dead Plectus juvenile nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PTL
Label:
Definition:
total number of living Plectus (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PTD
Label:
Definition:
The total number of dead Plectus (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PT
Label:
Definition:
The total number of live + dead Plectus (juvenile and adults) nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
total_rotifers
Label:
Definition:
total number of rotifers per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent present in a sample
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
total_tardigrades
Label:
Definition:
total number of tardigrades per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent present in a sample
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
LIVENEMS
Label:
Live nematodes
Definition:
The total number of living nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent (#/kg soil).
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
DEADNEMS
Label:
Dead nematodes
Definition:
The total number of dead nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent (#/kg soil).
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
TOTALNEM
Label:
Total nematodes
Definition:
The total number of living and dead nematodes extracted from the soil sample in number of organisms per kg soil oven dry weight equivalent (#/kg soil).
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
# kg/soil
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
TC
Label:
Definition:
Total carbon (% C by wt.), the carbon content of the unacidified soil.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SIC
Label:
Definition:
Soil inorganic carbon (% C by wt.), the carbon content of unacidified soil minus the carbon content of the acidified soil.
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SOC
Label:
Definition:
Soil organic carbon (% C by wt.), the carbon content of acidified soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
TN
Label:
Definition:
Total soil nitrogen (% N by wt.), the nitrogen content of the unacidified soil
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
CN
Label:
C:N
Definition:
The ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
dimensionless
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
PH
Label:
Definition:
The inverse of the log the hydrogen ion concentration of a 1:2 soil-water paste -- the pH --
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
pH
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
SALINITY
Label:
Definition:
The electrical conductivity of a 1:5 soil-water dilution
Type:
Physical quantity
Unit:
uS/cm
Maximum:
Not specified
Minimum:
0
Precision:
Not specified
Missing values:
Null = None given
COMMENTS
Label:
Definition:
Comments
Type:
Nominal
Missing values:
None specified
File:
SOILS_POLYGON.csv
(65.5 KB)
Short name:
Poly
Dataset ID:
4006
People
Principal Investigator(s):
Diana H. Wall
Ross A. Virginia
Contact:
McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER
Associated Personnel:
Associated Researcher
John "Jeb" E. Barrett
Field Crew
Andy Parsons
Lab Crew
Michelle L Haddix
Data Manager
Inigo San Gil
Related
Related publications:
Variation in biogeochemistry and soil biodiversity across spatial scales in a polar desert