Abstract:

This study contains data on emergent marsh vegetation on marsh terraces and non-terraced sites (survey datasets) obtained from 2019-06-11 to 2021-06-25. A standard vegetation monitoring protocol for secretive marsh bird habitat was incorporated to investigate the influence of vegetation on avian species composition and abundance. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s (CPRA) coastal wetland monitoring protocol (Folse et al. 2018) was used in this study. Using this protocol, an assessment of plant community type, vegetation type, total percent cover (tree, shrub, herbaceous, carpet), average height (tree, shrub, herbaceous, carpet), plant species (scientific name, percent cover), dominant height of stems, and other variables was performed, and the results presented in an Excel spreadsheet.

Suggested Citation:

McFarland, Madelyn. 2023. Data on emergent marsh vegetation on marsh terraces and non-terraced sites (survey datasets) obtained from 2019-06-11 to 2021-06-25. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/kjb0qbw5

Purpose:

To investigate the influence of vegetation on avian species composition and abundance.

Data Parameters and Units:

Unique site identifier, unique quadrat identifier, date (mm/dd/yyyy), station coordinates (decimal degrees), plant community type (based on prevailing salinities), vegetation type (natural or planted), total percent cover of live vegetation (%), percent cover of plant types (%), dominant vegetation height (centimeters), plant species, percent cover per species (%), location in reference to quadrant (in/out/both), dominant height of stems (cm), unvegetated surface (%), water relative to marsh (cm), water relative to marsh (above/below marsh edge), robel pole (cm), average robel pole measurement (cm), transect direction (degrees & cardinal direction).

Methods:

Nutrients like phosphate, ammonia and silicates were analyzed using a Seal AA3 Autoanalyzer. Methane was analyzed using laser cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) in an equilibrated headspace. Further details are provided Roberts and Shiller, 2015. Dissolved radium (223 Ra and 234Ra) analysis was performed by first adsorbing radium onto MnO2 coated fibers, and then passing the decay products of radium which do not adsorb onto MnO2 through a scintillation detector. A delayed coincidence circuit is used to distinguish between the decay products of 223 Ra and 234Ra. Further details are provided in Moore and Arnold, 1996. Dissolved Ba was determined according to Joung and Shiller, 2013 which used a high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS, ThermoFisher Element 2) using an isotope dilution method. ICP-MS was also used to analyze samples for molybdenum and cesium (Shim et al., 2012). Radon was determined with the use of RAD7 Radon detector manufactured by Durridge Inc.

Instruments:

Seal AA3 Autoanalyzer; laser cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS); high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS, ThermoFisher Element 2); ICP-MS; RAD7 Radon detector.

Provenance and Historical References:

Folse, T.M., L.A. Sharp, J.L. West, M. K. Hymel, J.P. Troutman, T.E. McGinnis, D. Weifenbach, W.M. Boshart, L.B. Rodrigue, D.C. Richardi, W.B. Wood, and C.M. Miller. 2008, revised 2018. “A Standard Operating Procedures Manual for the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System-Wetlands: Methods for Site Establishment, Data Collection, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control.” Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Baton Rouge, LA. 226 pp. https://lacoast.gov/reports/project/CRMS_SOP_2018_2-2018.pdf

Individual Files: