uid=MCM,o=EDI,dc=edirepository,dc=org all public read Moss Nutrients Becky Ball Becky.Ball@asu.edu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8592-1316 McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER http://mcmlter.org/ Ross Virginia

Hinman Box 6182 Hanover NH 03755 US

(603) 646-0192 ross.a.virginia@dartmouth.edu http://sites.dartmouth.edu/ravirginia/ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0890-0981 associated researcher Inigo San Gil

Department of Biology, MSC03 2020 University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM 87131 US

(505) 277-2625 (505) 277-2541 isangil@lternet.edu data manager 2014-01-01 English

    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.      

Antarctica LTER Moss Stoichiometry Station Keywords Notes about the attribute table SITE Codes: In the attribute table, the site is the 3-letter code for the location of the moss and soil sample. The actual lat/lon point coordinates can be retrieved from the map at http://mcmlter.org/moss_samples_map. For MossNutrientData.csv, the sites are: AIK Aiken Creek 77.6013-77.6022 163.2772-163.299 AND Anderson Creek 77.623 162.9071 BOH Bohner Creek 77.6962 162.5573 CAN Canada Glacier ASPA 77.607-77.6131 162.9955-163.0915 CPCR Cape Crozier 77.4568 169.2001 CPRO Cape Royds 77.5411 166.174-164.1742 CRES Crescent Stream 77.6195-77.62 163.1837-163.1845 DEL Delta Stream 77.6249-77.65136111 163.104944444444-163.1374722 GAR Garwood Valley 78.0171666666667-78.0238 163.9256-164.0430278 RN Green Creek 77.6228-77.6243 163.0563-163.0654 HARN Harnish Creek 77.6089-77.6139 163.2355-163.2532 HUEY Huey Creek 77.5972-77.6045 163.1045-163.125 LB Lake Bonney (south shore) 77.7245-77.7302 162.2879-162.3151 LKCHD Lake Chad (south shore) 77.653 162.7047 LF Lake Fryxell (south shore) 77.5996-77.6551 163.125-163.2645 LH Lake Hoare (north shore) 77.6245-77.6246 162.8891-162.8913 LSC Lost Seal Creek 77.5917-77.5947 163.2466-163.2586 LYONS Lyons Stream 77.7281 162.2803 MCK McKnight Creek 77.5993-77.5594 163.2659-163.2669 OBH Observation Hill 77.85 166.68 PRISC Priscu Stream 77.7124-77.7128 162.576-162.5935 SNOW Snow Patch north of Lake Fryxell 77.6004 163.102 VONG Von Guerard Stream 77.6104-77.6188 163.2553-163.2835 WHAR Wharton Creek 77.6451 162.7447 For SoilTransectData.csv, the sites are: SP1 Snow Patch 1 SP2 Snow Patch 2 SP3 Snow Patch 3 SP4 Snow Patch 4 SP5 Snow Patch 5 CS1 Canada Stream 1 CS3 Canada Stream 3 DS Delta Stream GV Garwood Valley VG Von Guerard Stream HC1 Huey Creek 1 HC2 Huey Creek 2 GC Green Creek  LS Lost Seal Stream MC McKnight Creek Preserved Samples Preserved samples are stored in R. Virginia's lab at Dartmouth College and B. Ball's lab at Arizona State University at the West Campus.

This data package is released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which allows consumers (hereinafter referred to as “Data Users”) to freely reuse, redistribute, transform, or build on this work (even commercially) so long as appropriate credit is provided. Accordingly, Data Users are required to properly cite this data package in any publications or in the metadata of any derived products that result from its use (in whole or in part). A recommended citation is provided on the summary metadata page associated with this data package in the McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER Data Catalog (https://mcmlter.org/data), and a generic citation may be found on the summary metadata page in the repository where this data package was obtained. When these data contribute significantly to the contents of a publication, Data Users must also acknowledge that data were provided by the NSF-supported McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research program (OPP-2224760). This data package has been released in the spirit of open scientific collaboration. Hence, Data Users are strongly encouraged to consider consultation, collaboration, and/or co-authorship (as appropriate) with the data package creator(s). Data Users should be aware these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research; thus, coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. Data Users should also recognize that misinterpretation of data may occur if they are used outside the context of the original study. Hence, Data Users are urged to contact the data package creator(s) if they have any questions regarding methodology or results. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of this data package (with all its components), complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Periodic updates to this data package may occur, and it is the responsibility of Data Users to check for new versions. This data package is made available “as is” and comes with no warranty of accuracy or fitness for use. The creator(s) of this data package and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for any damages resulting from misinterpretation, use, or misuse of these data. Finally, as a professional courtesy, we kindly request Data Users notify the primary contact referenced in the metadata when these data are used in the production of any derivative work or publication. Notification should include an explanation of how the data were used, along with a digital copy of the derived product(s). Thank you.

https://mcm.lternet.edu/content/moss-nutrient-plasticity-and-stoichiometry 2007-12-01 2011-01-31 McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER http://mcmlter.org/ McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER http://mcmlter.org/ McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER

Stream and snow patch transect sampling: At 10 stream locations and 5 different snow patches, transect sampling was conducted to determine soil parameters under moss vs. without moss presence. At stream locations, three replicate parallel transects were sampled. Between four and six samples were taken along each transect: in the dry soil beyond the hyporheic margin (Position 1), in the wetted area of the hyporheic zone (Position 2), at the edge of the flow of water in the stream from beneath a moss patch (Position 3a) and a nearby location not below moss (Position 3b), and from the center of the stream beneath a moss patch (Position 4a) and a nearby location not below moss (Position 4b). Because streams differ in morphology (e.g. stream width and size of wetted hyporheic zone), the length of the transects differs with each stream, ranging from 5-33 m in total length, as does the distance between sampling positions. At snow patch locations, three replicate parallel transects were sampled downslope of the snow patch, running parallel to the base of the snow patch. Transect A was within 30 cm of the base of the snow patch, B was 1.5-2 m below A, and C was 2-3 m below B. Transects were each 10 m in length, with five evenly-spaced points sampled along each. Moss samples occur randomly among those sampling points, and no moss was found below snow patches 1 and 4. At each sampling position, a soil moisture probe was inserted into the soil to measure field levels of soil water content. Any existing moss was sampled using a clean plastic spoon and put into a clean bag. Below the moss, soil samples were taken at two depths (0-2 cm and 2-7 cm, approx. 500 g each) using a clean plastic scoop and placed in a separate sterile bag. Both moss and soil were transported to the laboratory in a cooler, where they were stored at 4°C until processing. Moss tissues and subsamples of soil were frozen at -20°C and shipped to the United States for nutrient analysis. A variety of soil properties were measured on each soil sample. First, soils were hand-sorted to remove particles larger than approx. 2 mm diameter (or sieved, when soils were dry enough). Gravimetric SWC was estimated by drying approximately 25 g of soil at 105°C for 24 hrs and calculated as the percentage of dry soil. Soil pH was measured using a 2:1 water:soil dilution with a standard pH electrode. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured using an EC meter on a 5:1 DI water:soil dilution by weight and reported as µS/cm. Measurements were calibrated by measuring the conductivity of a standard solution of 0.01 M KCl and correcting values for the influence of solution temperature (Barrett et al. 2004). For measurements of extractable phosphate (PO4-P), 10 ± 0.5 g soil was extracted in 50 ml 0.5 M NaHCO3 at pH 8.5. Samples were filtered to remove soil, then 3 ml of 6 N HCl were added to each. Samples were allowed to degas prior to being frozen until run on a Lachat Autoanalyzer. For extractable inorganic N (NO3 + NO2-N and NH4-N), 20 ± 0.5 g soil was extracted in 50 ml 2 M KCl, filtered, then frozen until run on a Lachat Autoanalyzer. Total and inorganic C and N were measured on soils ground using a sapphire mortar and pestle that were either left unacidified or acidified with HCl respectively. Samples were analyzed on a Carlo Erba Elemental Analyzer. Moss stoichiometry sampling and processing: Moss was sampled from multiple locations within and near the McMurdo Dry Valleys over the course of several field seasons. Samples were found across the three lake basins of Taylor Valley, as well as at several other locations, including a nearby valley (Garwood Valley) and Ross Island (n ear McMurdo Station at Observation Hill, as well as adjacent too two of the penguin rookeries at Cape Royds and Cape Crozier). When moss turfs were located, a moss sample of approx. 3 cm in diameter was collected (to a depth that included the entire core of moss carpet, usually ~1 cm) using a clean plastic spoon and placed in a sterile whirl-pack bag. The soil immediately beneath the moss was collected at the same time to approximately 7 cm (~150 g) using a clean plastic scoop and placed in a separate sterile whirl-pack bag. Both moss and soil were transported to the laboratory in a cooler, where they were both stored at 4°C until processing. When possible, stream and groundwater samples were also taken. Stream samples were collected directly from the nearby streamflow by submerging a plastic syringe, then ejecting the water into a clean, acid-washed plastic bottle through a sterile 0.45 μm nylon syringe filter. Groundwater samples were taken using a mini piezometer comprised of perforated plastic tubing inserted into the ground below the moss using a hand-vacuum pump to remove water. The groundwater was collected in clean Nalgene bottles, then vacuum filtered into a new plastic bottles. Filtered water samples were frozen until analyzed in the Crary Laboratory at McMurdo Station. Inorganic N (NO3 + NO2-N and NH4-N) and P (PO4-P) were measured on a Lachat Autoanalyzer. Soil samples were analyzed for gravimetric SWC, mineral N and P, and total and organic C and N, as described in the previous section. Moss samples, including those from the transects, were measured for nutrient content. Given the amount of sedimentation, moss samples were washed free of as much soil as possible using tap water under a dissecting stereomicroscope. Moss samples were then dried at 60°C before being ground to a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. Total C and N were measured on a subsample of moss on an elemental analyzer. Total P, as well as other cations micronutrients (K, Ca, Na, Zn, Mg, Mn, and Fe), were measured using a dry ash acid digestion method in which a moss subsample was ashed in a muffle oven that was gradually brought to 475°C over 1.5 hours, held at 475°C for 4 hours, then dropped to 105°C until digested. Moss ash was then weighed for calculation of ash-free dry mass (AFDM), then digested in 5 ml of 35% HNO3. Samples were then centrifuged at 25250 x g for 10 min, and the supernatant diluted to 5% HNO3 for measurement using inductively coupled plasma optical emissions spectroscopy (ICP-OES).

MossNutrientData CSV file Moss Nutrients MossNutrientData.csv 14037 1 0 \r\n column , " https://mcm.lternet.edu/sites/default/files/MossNutrientData.csv DATASET_CODE DATASET_CODE Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database - SOILS_MOSS_NUTRIENTS string Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database - SOILS_MOSS_NUTRIENTS SITE SITE The 3- or 4-letter code for the location of the moss sample string 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 LOCATION_NAME LOCATION_NAME Name of the location were the sample was acquired string Name of the location were the sample was acquired DATE_TIME DATE_TIME The date (MM/DD/YY) the moss and soil samples were collected from the field date MM/DD/YYYY MOSSC MossC Total carbon content of the moss - percent by weight percent real MOSSN MossN Total nitrogen content of the moss - percent by weight percent real MOSSP MossP Total phosphorous content of the moss - percent by weight percent real SOILAMMO SoilAmmo Extractable ammonia concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real SOILNITR SoilNitr Extractable nitrate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real SOILPHOS SoilPhos Extractable phosphate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real SOILC SoilC Total carbon content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight percent real SOILN SoilN Total nitrogen content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight percent real SOILCORG SoilCorg Soil organic carbon content determined as the carbon content of acidified soil -percent by weight percent real SWC Swc The gravimetric soil water content -per unit weight % g/g percent real GROUNDNITR GroundNitr Nitrate concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter microgramsPerLiter real GROUNDAMMO GroundAmmo Ammonia concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter microgramsPerLiter real GROUNDPHOS GroundPhos Phosphate concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter microgramsPerLiter real STREAMNITR StreamNitr Nitrate concentration in the stream water - micrograms per Liter microgramsPerLiter real STREAMAMMO StreamAmmo Ammonia concentration in the stream water - micrograms per Liter microgramsPerLiter real STREAMPHOS StreamPhos Phosphate concentration in the groundwater - micrograms per Liter microgramsPerLiter real SoilTransectData CSV file for Soil Transects SoilTransectData.csv 47434 1 0 \r\n column , " https://mcm.lternet.edu/sites/default/files/SoilTransectData.csv DATASET_CODE DATASET_CODE Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database - SOILS_MOSS_NUTRIENTS string Unique identifier for the table in the MCM LTER database - SOILS_MOSS_NUTRIENTS LOCATION_NAME LOCATION_NAME Name of the location were the sample was acquired string Name of the location were the sample was acquired SITE SITE The 3- or 4-letter code for the location of the moss sample string 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 TRANSECT TRANSECT The letter representing the replicate transect at that site (A, B, or C) string The letter representing the replicate transect at that site (A, B, or C) POSITION POSITION The number representing the position of the soil sample along the transect (1, 2, 3 or 3b, 4 or 4b) string The number representing the position of the soil sample along the transect (1, 2, 3 or 3b, 4 or 4b) DEPTH DEPTH The upper 0-2 cm soil sample (U) or lower 2-7 cm soil sample (L). string U upper 0-2 cm soil sample L lower 2-7 cm soil sample MOSS MOSS Presence/Absence of moss in the sample string 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. DATE_TIME DATE_TIME The date (MM/DD/YY) the moss and soil samples were collected from the field date MM/DD/YYYY NH4 NH4 Extractable ammonia concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real NO3 NO3 Extractable nitrate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real PO4 PO4 Extractable phosphate concentration in the soil - in micrograms per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real SOILC SoilC Total carbon content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight percent real SOILN SoilN Total nitrogen content of the unacidified soil -percent by weight percent real SOILCORG SoilCorg Soil organic carbon content determined as the carbon content of acidified soil -percent by weight percent real PH pH 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. dimensionless real EC EC The electrical conductivity in microSiemens/cm of a 1:5 soil:deionized water solution. microSiemensPerCentimeter real SWC Swc The gravimetric soil water content -per unit weight % g/g percent real BMASS Bmass The Microbial biomass carbon in micro grams of carbon per gram of soil microgramsPerGram real ratio of two quantities as percent composition (1:100) Derivative of the standard SI unit of electrical conductance (specific conductance).