Vegetation Surveys in Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Shrubland Sites Associated with Coyote Scat Surveys at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2008-2009)

Authors

Virginia Seamster

Date

9-15-2010

Abstract

This data set contains information regarding vegetation structure at sites in grama grassland and both creosote and mesquite shrubland habitats at the Sevilleta NWR. This information was collected at randomly selected sites throughout the refuge. Each site is within 100 meters of one of the 22 road-based transects(20 in 2008) that were used to carry out coyote scat surveys during three seasons (spring, summer and fall) in 2009 (see "Coyote scat surveys in grassland and shrubland sites at the Sevilleta NWR, spring, summer and fall 2009" data set). Data was collected within at total of 22 circular vegetation plots (40 in 2008), each of which is 30m in diameter. Each plot was surveyed a total of three times, specifically in: April (spring), July (summer), and October (fall) 2009. Variables were selected based on their relevance to patterns of coyote habitat use, as well as their utility in calibrating Landsat images of the study site and the likelihood that they would vary seasonally. Measured variables include: average percent live woody vegetation cover, average percent live grass cover, average percent live forb cover, and average woody plant height. Information on woody plant species with individuals greater than 0.5 m in height is also presented.

Handle

http://hdl.handle.net/1928/29999

Other Identifier

SEV221

Knowledge Network for Biocomplexity (KNB) Identifier

knb-lter-sev.221.306067

Document Type

Dataset

Comments

This dataset was originally published on the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Data Portal, https://portal.lternet.edu, and potentially via other repositories or portals as described. The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the source data package is doi:10.6073/pasta/48d6d66a0912f81b31784d3150affb7a, and may be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/48d6d66a0912f81b31784d3150affb7a. Metadata and files included in this record mirror as closely as possible the source data and documentation, with the provenance metadata and quality report generated by the LTER portal reproduced here as '*-provenance.xml' and *-report.html' files, respectively.

Rights

Data Policies: This dataset is released to the public and may be freely downloaded. Please keep the designated Contact person informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation or collaboration with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset must include proper acknowledgement of the Sevilleta LTER. Datasets must be cited as in the example provided. A copy of any publications using these data must be supplied to the Sevilleta LTER Information Manager. By downloading any data you implicitly acknowledge the LTER Data Policy (http://www.lternet.edu/data/netpolicy.html).

Publisher

Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Project

Source

http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/48d6d66a0912f81b31784d3150affb7a

Temporal coverage

2008-07-30 - 2009-11-01

Spatial coverage

McKenzie Flats is located within the northeastern section of the Sevilleta NWR, encompassing an area from Black Butte south to Palo Duro Canyon and east to the Los Pinos.The Rio Salado is an ephemeral tributary of the Rio Grande on the west side of the Sevilleta NWR, flowing west by northwest to east by southeast. Rio Salado Grassland & Rio Salado Larrea are two study sites established in 1989. These sites were established as counterparts to sites at Five Points. Between 1989 and 1998, vegetation, litter decomposition, and ground dwelling arthropod and rodent populations were studied at both sites. Core studies at these sites were largely terminated in 1998, although rodent populations are still monitored at the Rio Salado Larrea site because the Small Mammal Exclosure Study's Larrea plots are co-located there. Rio Salado Grassland is the location Met Station 44.The Rio Salado study sites are accessed by taking the San Acacia exit, going west and then taking the frontage road back north to the Sevilleta NWR gate. After entering the refuge turn left after 0.2 mi and take this road 1.4 mi to a "T" in the road at the power lines. An earthen berm stops road travel here and the met station is located about 300 m west on the blocked road. Bronco Well is located near the northern boundary of the Sevilleta NWR, approximately four miles west of the AT&T on the road to Red Tank.There are 2 road based carnivore scat transects near Five Points. The beginning point for the first transect (D) is located 7.1 miles from the gate at Black Butte and is along Contreas rd, which leads west from the sign at Five Points. The second one (K) begins 2.0 miles south of the sign for Five Points (i.e. intersection of 5 roads) on Palo Duro Rd.South Gate is the major entry point onto the southeast side of the Sevilleta NWR. Just north of the gate is Met Station 41. Research here has included a Gunnison's prairie dog reintroduction as well as re-sampling of historic BLM 1976 vegetation transects, and juniper-creosote distribution. Vegetation is highly impacted by historical cattle grazing and is sparse. Burro grass (Scleropogon brevifolius) is dominant.

DOI

doi:10.6073/pasta/48d6d66a0912f81b31784d3150affb7a

Permanent URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/48d6d66a0912f81b31784d3150affb7a

Recommended Citation

Seamster, Virginia (2010-09-15): Vegetation Surveys in Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Shrubland Sites Associated with Coyote Scat Surveys at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (2008-2009). Long Term Ecological Research Network. http://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/48d6d66a0912f81b31784d3150affb7a