Survey of marsh soil and vegetation properties in Barataria Basin (Louisiana, USA) from 2018-05-09 to 2023-07-27 (NCEI Accession 0292959)

A survey of marsh plants and soil properties was conducted in Barataria Basin (Louisiana, USA), between 2018 and 2023. A total of 74 sites were surveyed across four different salinity zones (fresh, intermediate, brackish, saline). At most sites, measurements were taken at the edge (1-3m from the actual marsh edge with the open water), and in the interior (20-25 m from the edge). At each site (both edge and interior), ten vertical profiles (every 10 cm, up to 55 cm depth) of soil strength were collected. Marsh strength was measured with a Humboldt “field vane shear set” (vane size 25.4 x 50.7mm). Marsh elevation was measured with an RTK GPS. Plant type was determined by visual inspection, according to the Daubenmire cover-class method. Soil dry bulk density and organic content was measured in the lab, based on one core taken at each site (both edge and interior).

An excel spreadsheet is included with tabs representing data from each experiment or sample type with a README tab with more information on each. Missing values are where a measurement was not taken and should be treated as NaN.