Effects of microarthropod exclusion and water amendments on fluffgrass growth, root nitrogen, and mite and nematode abundance at the Jornada Basin LTER site, 1986-1987

This data package contains data on microarthropods, nematodes, fluff-grass (Dasyochloa pulchella) growth, and root nitrogen in samples from study plots sampled approximately monthly between May 1986 and August 1987 at the Jornada Basin LTER site in southern New Mexico USA. The purpose of this study was to test how watering, and changing densities of soil microarthropods and nematodes, results in changes in fluff grass growth and root nitrogen. Twenty 6 x 6 m plots were established with a 3 m buffer between plots. Five plots were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Chlordane to exclude microarthropods, 2) Chlordane and water, 3) Water, and 4) Control. At monthly intervals, randomly selected fluff grass plants were collected from each plot. This data set consists of plant diameters (cm), mite soil weight (g), root weight (g), nematode soil weight (g), root total nitrogen (mg/g), and nematode number. This study was completed in November 1987.