Details and Metadata

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Methods

The methods followed in the creation of the dataset, including description of field, laboratory and processing steps, and quality control procedures

Current Methods

  • Monitoring sites
    Started: 1991-10-30

    Browns River and Stevensville Brook are monitored at 1400 foot elevation on each.

  • Sample collection

    Duplicate samples of aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected using a standardized "kick-net" procedure. A sample consists of all the organisms and detritus dislodged from the substrate during two minutes of active substrate disturbance. Temperature, pH, alkalinity, and specific conductance of the water column are measured at the time the sample is collected. Organisms from the sample are separated from detritus and sorted into taxonomic groups.

    Software: Paradox software

Dataset Fields

Detailed documentation of the fields comprising the dataset, including the type of measurement, units where applicable, and any controlled vocabularies or code lists present in the data


Field Name Caption Description Additional Information
SiteIDSite ID

Codes for the sample collection sites.

Measurement type: Nominal
LabIDLab ID

Identification code for lab samples

Measurement type: Nominal
DateDate

Date of sample collection.

Measurement type: DateTime
Date/Time Format: YYYY-MM-DD
MeanDensityMean Density

Number of organisms collected per square meter using a standardized method.

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1
MeanRichnessMean Richness

The average number of taxa (different kinds of organisms) found at a site.

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
MeanEptRichnessMean EPT Richness

A measure of the average of different kinds of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera, and Trichoptera

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
MeanEptToMeanRichnessMean EPT / Mean Richness

Ratio of the average number of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
DominantTaxa_percentPercent Dominant Taxa

The percent of the organisms at a site that belong to the dominant taxa

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Dominant3Taxa_percent

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
MeanEptToEptChiro

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.01
MeanHydropsy_percentHydropsy %

Average percent of Hydropsy

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
MeanNew_BIMean New Biotic Index

The relative abundance of the different species in the stream community. Value of less than 1.75 in

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.01
MeanDiversityMean Diversity

The number of different kinds of organisms found at a site.

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.01
Coleoptera_percentPercent Coleoptera

Percent composition of Coleopterans (beetles)

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Diptera_percentPercent Diptera

Percent composition of dipterans

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Ephemeroptera_percentPercent Ephemeroptera

Percent composition of ephemeroptera (mayflies)

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Plecoptera_percentPercent Plecoptera

Percent composition of plecoptera

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Trichoptera_percentPercent Trichoptera

Percent composition of trichoptera

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Oligochaeta_percentPercent Oligochaeta

Percent composition of oligochaeta

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
OtherOrders_percentPercent other organisms

Percent composition of organisms other than the main groups

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
PMA-O1

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
CollectorGatherer_percentCollector/Gatherer %

Percent composition of this functional group

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
CollectorFilterer_percentCollector/Filterer %

Percent composition of this functional group

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Predator_percentPredator percent

Percentage of predators

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
ShredderDetritus_percentShredder - Detritus Percent

Percent composition of this functional group

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
ShredderHerbivore_percentShredder - Herbivore Percent

Percent composition of this functional group

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
Scraper_percentScraper Percent

The percent composition of the functional group known as scrapers

Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.1
PPCS_F1

Measurement type: Ratio
Units:

Sampling Equipment

Equipment and software used to collect data, including how that equipment was used.

Current Equipment

  • Net

    500 micron mesh D-frame net

Site Characteristics

The spatial extent of the dataset site coverage, and descriptions of the spatial extent and context for the data collection

  • Site Description

    The two sampling sites are located in the upper reaches of the Brown's River watershed- one on Stevensville Brook and one on the Brown's River upstream of its confluence with Stevensville Brook. Both sites are at an elevation of 1400 feet.

    Minimum Altitude: 1400

    Maximum Altitude: 1400