Abstract:
Leaf productivity was measured by tagging shoots within each tub containing Spartina alterniflora at the beginning of the growing season in each of the two sampling years. The green length of all tagged leaves was measured at the beginning and end of the growing season, and leaf growth measured as the increase in leaf size.
Suggested Citation:
Just Cebrian, Joshua Goff. 2018. Assessment of Spartina alterniflora aboveground productivity: A mesocosm study from September 2015 to September 2016. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7ZG6QS6
Purpose:
This dataset provides leaf length used to calculate productivity in terms of linear growth per shoot per day. This data can be used to determine if oiling, vegetation composition, and genotypic variation affect growth of Spartina alterniflora.
Data Parameters and Units:
Mesocosm_Spartina_Data_2015.csv: Date: Date that samples were collected (MMM-YY), Mesocosm: Number assigned to each mesocosm at the beginning of the experiment. Mesocosms 2 and 4 received oil, 1 and 3 were controls, Tub #: Replicates within each mesocosm. Numbers systematically assigned, Plant Treatment: Denotes the specific treatment assigned to the tub. SA Mono = Single genotype Spartina, SA Poly = Multiple genotypes of Spartina, SA Mono + AM = SA Mono mixed with Avecinnia, SA Poly + AM = SA Poly mixed with Avecennia, BARE and AM indicate mesocosms that contain only sediments or only Avecennia germinans (i.e. no Spartina alterniflora present). Genotype : Notes the Genotype of the shoot being measured, Blanks in the genotype individual column were the result of inability to interpret labels of individual plants. Individual: Unique Identifier of shoot measured. Either written alphanumeric code or colored tag, Blanks in the individual column were the result of inability to interpret labels of individual plants. Leaf 1 (youngest) to Leaf n (oldest): Measurement of leaf length in centimeters for each leaf on tagged and new shoots. Column G begins the series with Leaf 1 (youngest), the youngest leaf on the shoot, and continues until all leaves are measured to Leaf n (Oldest). Mesocosm_Spartina_Data_2016.csv: Date: Date that samples were collected (MMM-YY), Mesocosm: Number assigned to each mesocosm at the beginning of the experiment. Mesocosms 2 and 4 received oil, 1 and 3 were controls, Tub #: Replicates within each mesocosm. Numbers systematically assigned, Plant Treatment: Denotes the specific treatment assigned to the tub. SA Mono = Single genotype Spartina, SA Poly = Multiple genotypes of Spartina, SA Mono + AM = SA Mono mixed with Avecinnia, SA Poly + AM = SA Poly mixed with Avecennia, Individual: Unique Identifier of shoot measured. Either written alphanumeric code or colored tag, Leaf 1 (youngest) to Leaf n (oldest): Measurement of leaf length in centimeters for each leaf on tagged and new shoots. Column G begins the series with Leaf 1 (youngest), the youngest leaf on the shoot, and continues until all leaves are measured to Leaf n (Oldest). Notes: AG denotes aboveground biomass (i.e. leaves, shoots, stems, and/or branches). D refers to dead leaves that were still attached to the plant. In 2016 genotype was not collected because the plants expanded and we could not accurately access genotype.
Methods:
Mesocosms 2 and 4 received oil, 1 and 3 were controls. A 30 L sample of Louisiana sweet crude oil was procured and weathered outdoor using bubble aeration for 5 days resulting in approximately 20% volume lost. Oiling began Oct. 6, 2015. A 5 day repetitive dosage procedure was used for the oiling treatment. Each mesocosm received an initial 1:1 oil to seawater mixture (350:350 mL). This was allowed to percolate through the sediment and drain into a collection tray. The collected mixture was then reapplied the following day. Control treatments received 700 mL of seawater only. No additional applications of oil were conducted after the initial oiling.
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