Data Set Citation:
When using this data, please cite the data package:
NCEAS 10022: Shurin: Comparing trophic structure across ecosystems , National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis , and Cebrian J. 2009.
Producer Nutritional Quality Controls Ecosystem Trophic Structure
nceas.960.4 (http://knb.ecoinformatics.org/knb/metacat/nceas.960.4/nceas)
General Information:
Title:Producer Nutritional Quality Controls Ecosystem Trophic Structure
Identifier:nceas.960
Abstract:
We compiled an unparalleled data set from the literature and other sources that includes measures of aboveground producer biomass, herbivore biomass, and producer nutritional quality expressed as nitrogen and phosphorus content in aboveground producer biomass (i.e. % of producer dry weight) for a broad range of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The data compiled correspond to mean values that integrate the whole ecosystem over at least one year of observations.
Publication Date:2009-12-15
Data Table, Image, and Other Data Details:
Metadata download: Ecological Metadata Language (EML) File
Data Table:Figure 1/1S ( View Metadata | Download File download)
Data Table:Figure 2 ( View Metadata | Download File download)
Other Data:data_references.pdf ( View Metadata | Download File download)

Involved Parties

Data Set Creators:
Organization:NCEAS 10022: Shurin: Comparing trophic structure across ecosystems
Organization:National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
Individual: Just Cebrian
Organization:University of South Alabama
Address:
Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd,
Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 USA
Phone:
(251) 861-7568
Email Address:
jcebrian@disl.org
Data Set Contacts:
Individual: Just Cebrian
Organization:University of South Alabama
Address:
Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd,
Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528 USA
Phone:
(251) 861-7568
Email Address:
jcebrian@disl.org
Associated Parties:
Individual: Just Cebrian
Individual: Jonathan Shurin
Individual: Elizabeth Borer
Individual: Bradley Cardinale
Individual: Jacqueline Ngai
Individual: Melinda Smith
Individual: William Fagan
Metadata Providers:
Individual: Jim Regetz

Data Set Characteristics

Geographic Region:
Geographic Description:Broad coverage
Bounding Coordinates:
West:  -180.0000  degrees
East:  180.0000  degrees
North:  90.0000  degrees
South:  -90.0000  degrees
Time Period:
Begin:
1957
End:
2002

Sampling, Processing and Quality Control Methods

Step by Step Procedures
Step 1:  
Description:

Literature search

We searched the literature extensively to compile studies that represented a wide range of aquatic (from pelagic to sediment flats to submerged macrophyte beds) and terrestrial (from marshlands to grasslands to forests) systems. Some systems have been studied more than others and were better represented in the literature, but even the values obtained for the less studied systems, albeit not numerous, covered a wide spread. Thus the data set reflects the availability of information in the scientific record.
Sampling Area And Frequency:
Broad-based literature search
Sampling Description:
We only included studies that met three conditions. First, the system was not deliberately impacted by human activities and, thus, was mostly representative of natural conditions. Second, since our analysis compares systems, and not populations or individuals, we only considered studies that included all, or at least the most abundant, producers and herbivores in the system. Third, to eliminate any effects of seasonality on our results, we only accepted studies that provided data for an entire year or at least the entire growing season for annual producers.

Data Set Usage Rights

no restrictions
Access Control:
Auth System:knb
Order:denyFirst
Additional Metadata
Metadata download: Ecological Metadata Language (EML) File