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Seer, Franziska K; Putze, Gregor; Pennings, Steven C; Zimmer, Martin (2021): Litter fauna and decomposition experiment in coastal ecosystems of Sapelo Island [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.931664

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Published: 2021-05-18 • DOI registered: 2021-06-24

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Abstract:
In a field study (2007-2009) on Sapelo Island, GA, USA (31°27' N, 81°15' W), we incubated two contrasting detritus types in three distinct habitat types in coastal Georgia to test the hypotheses that (1) the litter fauna composition depends on the habitat and the litter type available; and (2) litter mass loss (as a proxy for decomposition) depends on environmental conditions (habitat) and the litter type. Litter of oak (Quercus virginiana) and pine (Pinus palustris) was collected in mesh baskets placed below trees; this prevented shed leaves from falling onto the ground, and thereby limited decomposition prior to our study. Litter was returned to the laboratory and air-dried for >7 days at room temperature. Each litter type was weighed (4.00 + 0.01 g dry weight) separately into mesh bags. Bags were placed in groups of four (N = 2 litter types x 2 mesh sizes) with six replicates per habitat (saltmarsh, forest, creek bank) and sampling date, and embedded in the existing litter present at the site. Litter bags were deployed in August 2007 and removed from the field after 1 month (September 2007), 6 months (February 2008), 12 months (August 2008), and 25 months (September 2009). Litter bags were individually stored in plastic bags for transport to the laboratory, where fauna were extracted in a Berlese apparatus, and the remaining litter cleaned of soil particles, dried at 60°C for 72 hours, and weighed. Invertebrates extracted from the mesh bags were identified to the highest taxonomic level possible and assigned to one of three functional groups: detritivores, predators or
omnivores.
Keyword(s):
Ecology & Environment; Zoology
Supplement to:
Seer, Franziska K; Putze, Gregor; Pennings, Steven C; Zimmer, Martin (2021): Drivers of litter mass loss and faunal composition of detritus patches change over time. Ecology and Evolution, https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7787
Coverage:
Latitude: 31.450000 * Longitude: -81.250000
Event(s):
Sapelo_Island * Latitude: 31.450000 * Longitude: -81.250000 * Location: USA * Method/Device: Experiment (EXP)
Parameter(s):
#NameShort NameUnitPrincipal InvestigatorMethod/DeviceComment
1HabitatHabitatSeer, Franziska K
2Litter typeLitterSeer, Franziska K
3Mesh size descriptionMesh size descrSeer, Franziska K
4Experiment durationExp durationmonthsSeer, Franziska K
5AcarinaAcarina#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
6AmphipodaAmphipoda#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
7ArachnidaArachnida#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
8ChilopodaChilopoda#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
9ColeopteraColeoptera#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
10CollembolaCollembola#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
11DecapodaDecapoda#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
12DipteraDiptera#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
13GastropodaGastropoda#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
14HymenopteraHymenoptera#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
15IsopodaIsopoda#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
16NematodaNematoda#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
17PseudoscorpionesPseudoscorpiones#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
18Fauna, otherFauna other#Seer, Franziska KCounting, abundance per litterbag
19Litter mass lossLML%Seer, Franziska KCalculated
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0)
Status:
Curation Level: Enhanced curation (CurationLevelC)
Size:
4345 data points

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