Soil biota and chemistry data from the Elevational Transect (ET) experiment, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (1993-2020, ongoing)

Summary

Abstract: 

Investigation of the effect of elevation and topography on soil biota and soil properties was part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project. The number of soil organisms (nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades), divided by species, sex and maturity was monitored at 3 elevations, initially in Taylor Valley (1993) then Garwood and Miers Valleys (2012) in order to accomplish this.

Date Range: 

December 19, 1993 to January 18, 2020
Data Citation
Adams, B.J., Barrett, J.E., Wall, D.H., Virginia, R.A. 2022. Soil biota and chemistry data from the Elevational Transect (ET) experiment, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (1993-2020, ongoing). Environmental Data Initiative. DOI: 10.6073/pasta/6c9dea12fe86439c0d390726348b0d5f. Dataset accessed 19 March 2024.
Dataset(s)

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET_CODE
  • Label: Dataset Code
  • Definition: Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SAMPLE_ID
  • Label: Sample ID
  • Definition: The plot-position identifier for each sample.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
ELEVATION
  • Label: Elevation
  • Definition: The elevation of the plot from where the sample was collected. Taylor: A at 83 m above sea level, B at 121 m above sea level, C at 188 m above sea level. Garwood: A at 369 m above sea level, B at 377 m above sea level, and C at 392 m above sea level. Miers: A at 179 m above sea level, B at 220 m above sea level, and C at 290 m above sea level.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
POSITION
  • Label: Position
  • Definition: The position within a plot where the sample was collected.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label: Date Time
  • Definition: The date the soil sample was collected from the field.
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: mm/dd/yyyy
  • Missing values: None specified
SOIL_WATER_CONTENT
  • Label: Soil Water Content
  • Definition: The gravimetric soil water content.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: percent g/g
  • Maximum: 100
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = Missing
SML
  • Label: Scottnema Male Live
  • Definition: The total number of living male Scottnema 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: Scottnema Male Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead male Scottnema 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: Scottnema Female Live
  • Definition: The total number of living female Scottnema 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: Scottnema Female Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead female Scottnema 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: Scottnema Juvenile Live
  • Definition: The total number of living juvenile Scottnema lindsayae 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: Scottnema Juvenile Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead juvenile Scottnema lindsayae 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: Scottnema Adult
  • Definition: The total number of living and dead Scottnema 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: Scottnema Juvenile
  • Definition: The total number of living and dead Scottnema 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: Scottnema Total Live
  • Definition: The total number of living Scottnema lindsayae (juvenile and 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
STD
  • Label: Scottnema Total Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead Scottnema lindsayae (juvenile and 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
STLD
  • Label: Total Scottnema Live and Dead
  • Definition: The total number of live + dead Scottnema lindsayae (juvenile and 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
EML
  • Label: Eudorylaimus Male Live
  • Definition: The total number of living male Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Male Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead male Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Female Live
  • Definition: The total number of living female Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Female Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead female Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Juvenile Live
  • Definition: The total number of living juvenile Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Juvenile Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead juvenile Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Adult
  • Definition: The total number of living and dead Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Eudorylaimus Juvenile
  • Definition: The total number of living and dead Eudorylaimus spp. 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: Total Eudorylaimus Live
  • Definition: Total number of living Eudorylaimus spp. (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: Total Eudorylaimus Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead Eudorylaimus spp. (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
ETLD
  • Label: Total Eudorylaimus Live and Dead
  • Definition: The total number of live + dead Eudorylaimus spp. (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
PFL
  • Label: Plectus Female Live
  • Definition: The total number of living female Plectus spp. 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: Plectus Female Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead female Plectus spp. 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: Plectus Juvenile Live
  • Definition: The total number of living juvenile Plectus spp. 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: Plectus Juvenile Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead juvenile Plectus spp. 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: Plectus Adult
  • Definition: The total number of living and dead Plectus spp. 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: Plectus Juvenile
  • Definition: The total number of living and dead Plectus spp. 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: Plectus Total Live
  • Definition: Total number of living Plectus spp. (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: Plectus Total Dead
  • Definition: The total number of dead Plectus spp. (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
PTLD
  • Label: Plectus Total Live and Dead
  • Definition: The total number of live + dead Plectus spp. (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: Total Rotifers
  • 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: Total Tardigrades
  • 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
TOTAL_LIVE
  • Label: Total Living Nematodes
  • Definition: The total number of living 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_DEAD
  • Label: Total 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.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: # kg/soil
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
TOTAL
  • Label: Total
  • 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.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: # kg/soil
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
COMMENTS
  • Label: Comments
  • Definition: Comments about the sample.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
PH
  • Label: pH
  • Definition: The opposite log of the hydrogen ion concentration of a 1:2 soil-water paste.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: dimensionless
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
CONDUCTIVITY
  • Label: Conductivity
  • Definition: The electrical conductivity in microSiemens/cm of a 1:5 soil:deionized water solution.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microSiemens/cm
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
TN
  • Label: Total Nitrogen
  • Definition: Total nitrogen, the nitrogen content of the unacidified soil.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: mg N/g soil
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
SOC
  • Label: Soil Organic Carbon
  • Definition: Soil organic carbon, the carbon content of acidified soil.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: mg C/g soil
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
SIC
  • Label: Soil Inorganic Carbon
  • Definition: Soil inorganic carbon, the carbon content of unacidified soil minus the carbon content of the acidified soil.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: mg C/g soil
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
NH4_N
  • Label: Ammonium
  • Definition: Ammonium concentration found using Lachat.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microgram/g soil
  • Maximum: 2000
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
NO3_N
  • Label: Nitrate
  • Definition: Nitrate concentration found using Lachat.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microgram/g soil
  • Maximum: 2000
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
CHL_A
  • Label: Chlorophyll a
  • Definition: The chlorophyll a content of the sample weight in micrograms per gram of soil oven dry weight equivalent.
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: ug/g
  • Maximum: Not specified
  • Minimum: Not specified
  • Precision: Not specified
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
MICROBIAL_C
  • Label: Microbial Carbon Biomass
  • Definition: Microbial biomass carbon
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microgram C/g soil
  • Maximum: 2000
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
MICROBIAL_N
  • Label: Microbial Nitrogen Biomass
  • Definition: Microbial biomass nitrogen
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: microgram N/g soil
  • Maximum: 2000
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • Null = None given
CHEMISTRY_COMMENTS
  • Label: Chemistry Comments
  • Definition: Comments about the chemical analysis.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
VALLEY_CODE
  • Label: Valley Code
  • Definition: A sorting header indicating the Valley (Taylor, Miers, Garwood) from which the sample was collected.
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

Short name: 

Elev_tran

Dataset ID: 

4003
People

Principal Investigator(s): 

Contact: 

Associated Personnel: 

Data Manager
Former Lab Crew
Former Field Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Lab Crew
Former Data Manager