Data Paper. Data Paper

File List Each data set has its own file and its own metadata documenting the data collection details and data set structure. Rodents: Data file (see log of corrections)-- Portal_rodents_19772002.csv Metadata -- Portal_rodent_metadata.htm Plants: Data files -- Portal_plant_summer_annual_19831988.csv Portal_plant_summer_perennial_19831988.csv Portal_plant_summer_annual_19892002.csv Portal_plant_summer_perennial_19892002.csv Portal_plant_winter_annual_19831988.csv Portal_plant_winter_perennial_19831988.csv Portal_plant_winter_annual_19892002.csv Portal_plant_winter_perennial_19892002.csv Metadata -- Portal_plant_metadata.htm Ants: Data files -- Portal_ant_colony_19771987.csv Portal_ant_colony_19882002.csv Portal_ant_bait_19882002.csv Metadata -- Portal_ant_metadata.htm Precipitation: Data files -- Portal_precipitation_19801989.csv Portal_precipitation_19892002.csv Metadata -- Portal_precipitation_metadata.htm Description Desert ecosystems have long served as model systems in the study of ecological concepts (e.g., competition, resource pulses, top-down/bottom-up dynamics). However, the inherent variability of resource availability in deserts, and hence consumer dynamics, can also make them challenging ecosystems to understand. Study of a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem near Portal, Arizona, began in 1977. At this site, 24 experimental plots were established in 1977 and divided among controls and experimental manipulations. Experimental manipulations over the years include removal of all or some rodent species, all or some ants, seed additions, and various alterations of the annual plant community. While some of these manipulations were discontinued early on, others (i.e., ant and rodent manipulations) have been maintained throughout the study. Monitoring of the composition and abundances of ants, plants, and rodents has occurred continuously on all 24 plots. From 1977–2002, individual-level data on rodents (i.e., species, sex, size, reproductive condition) was collected monthly for each plot. From 1983–2002, the species-level abundances of plants were sampled on permanent quadrats. From 1977–2002, the species-level abundance of ant colonies was recorded for each plot and from 1988–2002 additional information on ant abundances were recorded. Finally, from 1980–2002 we recorded precipitation at the study site. These data have been used in a variety of publications documenting the effects of the experimental manipulations as well as the response of populations and communities to long-term changes in climate and habitat. Sampling is ongoing and this database will be periodically updated. Key words: ants; Chihuahuan Desert; LTREB data; plants; rodents.

文件列表：每个数据集均配备专属数据文件与元数据文档，用于记录数据采集细节与数据集架构。
啮齿类：数据文件（详见校正日志）—— Portal_rodents_19772002.csv；元数据文档—— Portal_rodent_metadata.htm
植物类：数据文件包括 Portal_plant_summer_annual_19831988.csv、Portal_plant_summer_perennial_19831988.csv、Portal_plant_summer_annual_19892002.csv、Portal_plant_summer_perennial_19892002.csv、Portal_plant_winter_annual_19831988.csv、Portal_plant_winter_perennial_19831988.csv、Portal_plant_winter_annual_19892002.csv、Portal_plant_winter_perennial_19892002.csv；元数据文档—— Portal_plant_metadata.htm
蚁类：数据文件包括 Portal_ant_colony_19771987.csv、Portal_ant_colony_19882002.csv、Portal_ant_bait_19882002.csv；元数据文档—— Portal_ant_metadata.htm
降水数据：数据文件包括 Portal_precipitation_19801989.csv、Portal_precipitation_19892002.csv；元数据文档—— Portal_precipitation_metadata.htm

数据集说明：沙漠生态系统长期以来均为生态学概念研究的模式系统（例如种间竞争、资源脉冲、自上而下/自下而上调控动态）。然而沙漠生态系统资源可获得性固有的变异性，进而导致消费者种群动态的复杂性，也使其成为极具研究挑战的生态系统。1977年，针对美国亚利桑那州波特尔（Portal）附近的奇瓦瓦沙漠（Chihuahuan Desert）生态系统的长期研究正式启动。该研究于1977年设立24个实验样地，划分为对照组与实验组，后续开展了多类实验操控处理：移除全部或部分啮齿类物种、移除全部或部分蚁类类群、添加种子，以及对一年生植物群落进行多种改造。部分操控实验在早期即终止，但核心的蚁类与啮齿类操控实验贯穿整个研究周期。研究人员持续对所有24个实验样地内的蚁类、植物与啮齿类的群落组成及种群丰度进行监测：1977年至2002年，每月采集各实验样地的啮齿类个体水平数据（包括物种、性别、体型、繁殖状态）；1983年至2002年，通过永久样方采样获取植物的物种水平丰度数据；1977年至2002年，记录各实验样地内蚁群的物种水平丰度，并在1988年至2002年补充采集蚁类丰度的额外相关信息；1980年至2002年，同步记录该研究样地的降水数据。本数据集已被多项学术成果使用，用于解析实验操控的生态效应，以及种群与群落对气候与生境长期变化的响应。目前采样工作仍在持续，该数据库将定期更新。

关键词：蚁类；奇瓦瓦沙漠；长期生态研究（Long-Term Ecological Research, LTREB）数据；植物；啮齿类。