Study Number: 

2006

Project Title:

Riparian Litterfall.

Investigator(s):

David C. Coleman  Biographical Sketch  (Retired)
Christina Wright

 Note: Researcher is retired. For further information regarding this project, please contact:

Coweeta LTER
Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory
3160 Coweeta Lab Road
Otto, North Carolina 28763 USA
Telephone: 828.524.2128 | FAX: 828.369.6768
Affiliated Institution(s): University of Georgia
Address: University of Georgia
Ecology Annex
Athens Georgia 30602-2360  USA
Study Category: Riparian
Project Type: Type 1
Study Period:

11/1993
Status/Notes:

Project closed.
Funding Source(s):

National Science Foundation, Grants DEB-9632854 (Text Version) and DEB-0218001 (Text Version) to Coweeta LTER.
Abstract: Riparian litterfall was collected beginning in November 1993 and is an ongoing study in the watershed. Litterfall and blowthrough traps are located 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters distance from the stream in order to examine differences in litter fall across the watershed. In August 1995, site 1 in the watershed had all rhododendron stems cut and removed. In October 1995, hurricane Opal decimated site two in the watershed by toppling the majority of the vegetation. Litterfall studies may also examine the effects of rhododendron removal and hurricane damage upon litterfall across the watershed. Litterfall data was separated into leaves without rhododendron, rhododendron, and woody debris which includes twigs, bark, and reproductive parts. Data were determined on an ash-free dry weight basis. Total C and N of the litterfall was also determined using the Carlo Erba total C and N analyzer.
Location(s), Described: Watershed 55.
See LTER Riparian Project Area for detailed photographs of locations.
 
Riparian litterfall # 2006 x y
C1 7 1
C2 8.4 6.4
T1 23.3 1.8
T2 17.7 6.2
T3 12.7 10.1
T4 11.3 14.7
T5 12.7 19.4

 
Riparian Litterfall #2006 x y
Blowthrough Trtmt 18.1 0.9
  23.2 6.7
  10.1 9.4
  8.8 15.3
  18 19.9
Blowthrough Cntrl 6 1

Location(s), Download GPS: ArcView Shape Files (shp.):  UTM, NAD83, Zone 17
Location(s), Online Map(s): Online Map
Methods/Experimental Design: In order to examine litterfall in WS55 at Coweeta, litterfall and blow-through traps were placed in the field in the fall of 1993. Litterfall traps are 1 X 1m square and were constructed of 1mm screening on the bottom and metal sides in order to collect litter directly falling from the vegetation. Blow-through traps are 0.5 X 1m square and are made of a solid bottom and 1cm mesh along the sides. These traps collect litter that moves down the hillslope rather than litter directly falling from the vegetation. There are 5 litterfall and 5 blow-through traps in both the cut and storm plots. These traps were randomly located at points 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters upslope from the stream. Litter is collected from the traps on a monthly basis during autumn litterfall somewhat less frequently during the rest of the year. Upon collection, litter is air-dried, separated into leaves, rhododendron leaves, and woody debris + reproductive parts. A sub-sample of leaves are also ashed for determining ash-free dry weight and also ground in a spex ball mill for total C and N analysis on the Carlo Erba analyzer.
Sampling Frequency: Monthly, beginning November 1993 and ongoing
Data Columns: Not applicable. Note: Dissertation serves as data for this project.
Publications:

Wright, Christina Jane. 1998. The effects of man-made and natural disturbance events upon soil microbial biomass, soil fauna, soil nutrient cycling, and litter decomposition in the southern Appalachians. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Georgia.
Data Restrictions: Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy.
Metadata: EML Format (XML Schema) | Information about EML
Data Downloads: Note: Dissertation serves as data for this project.

Wright, Christina Jane. 1998. The effects of man-made and natural disturbance events upon soil microbial biomass, soil fauna, soil nutrient cycling, and litter decomposition in the southern Appalachians. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Georgia.