Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)/CDR025: Distribution of Wetland Plant Species at Cedar Creek Natural History Area

LTER - Long-Term Ecological Research Program/Cedar Creek Natural
History Area (CDR)

LTER/CDR025 [Summary adapted from the LTER Core Data Set Catalog]:

Permanent plots were set up in 1988 for long-term monitoring of a
number of wetlands at the Cedar Creek Natural History Area
(CCNHA). This data set on the current composition and characteristics
of these wetlands is being used for 1) between-site comparisons and
analysis of wetland plant species distribution in relation to the
water table level, and 2) for detection of possible changes in species
composition, size, water levels, and soil characteristics over time
due to climate change. Sites were chosen to cover a range of wetland
types at CCNHA. The current 21 transects, established in 15 wetlands,
vary from 25 m to 85 m, depending on the size and type of wetland. In
large sites, transect lines run from the upland margin inward for at
least 25 m or until the point where species composition is relatively
constant. In most small sites, the transects cross the entire site.
Plots 1 m2 are located every 5 m along each transect. Types of data
collected so far: Vegetation: Vegetation data are collected for all
transects within a one-week period during the last week in July.
Species presence and visual estimates of percent cover are recorded
for each plot. The location along the transect where major species
appear and disappear is recorded and total species lists for the sites
are made. Water: Because of the dry conditions of the past 3 years
there has been no standing water in any of these wetlands at the time
the vegetation was surveyed. Measurements of spring water levels
along the transects were made in May 1989 and wells have been put into
five of these sites (as part of the hydrology study at CCNHA).
Transect lines are being surveyed for the change in height from
beginning to end. Soil: Soil samples were collected in June and July
1989 alongside plots in 12 sites and analyzed for moisture content,
bulk density, pH, organic matter by loss on ignition, and extractable
ammonium and nitrate. Portions of the samples have been saved for
further analyses (e.g., for total N). Soil samples will again be
collected in the same sites in 1990.

Proprietary limits: Access limited, but available with permission from
investigators, until subsets are published.

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area (CCNHA) is a 2200 hectare
experimental ecological reserve operated by the University of
Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Academy of Sciences. CCNHA
is located in Anoka and Isanti Counties north of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
The site was established in 1940, was designated a National Natural
Landmark by the National Park Service in 1975. In 1977 it was included
as an Experimental Ecology Reserve in a proposed network, and in 1982
it was one of 11 sites in the U.S. selected by the National Science
Foundation for funding of LTER.

Information about LTER is also available at
'http://lternet.edu/'