Stable isotope values from coastal Louisiana mangrove and salt marsh communities in May 2016
Data files
May 14, 2025 version files 88.20 KB
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Powell_et_al._LASG_Stable_Isotope_Data.xlsx
84.74 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
The salt marshes along the Gulf of Mexico provide a critical habitat for many species, but their spatial distribution is changing, because black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) are expanding due to warmer winters. This dataset provides bulk carbon, nitrogen and sulfur stable isotope values of primary producers, soil organic matter, and common aquatic consumers collected in Spartina alterniflora-dominated (salt marsh), Avicennia dominated (mangrove), and mixed (transitional) habitats at two locations in coastal Louisiana. These data can be used to assess the relative importance of specific basal carbon sources to soil organic matter and aquatic consumers across habitat types.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.sbcc2frjg
Description of the data and file structure
These data were collected in May 2016 in southeastern Louisiana along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico at two locations: Grand Isle (29.223626°, -90.043768°) and Bay Champagne (29.138952°, -90.178298°). Three habitat types were sampled at each location: a salt marsh, mangrove, and a mixed habitat transitional between these two vegetation types. At each site and habitat representative samples of primary producers, soil organic matter, and aquatic consumers were collected and analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur elemental concentrations and stable isotope values using an elemental analyzer system coupled to a continuous-flow stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Sample precision based on repeated reference materials were 0.05 ‰ for δ13C, 0.15‰ for δ15N and 0.30‰ for δ43S, respectively.
Files and variables
File: Powell_et_al._LASG_Stable_Isotope_Data.xlsx
Description: Definitions of dataset terms are found in the table below using the "Variables: Description / Units" format. "NA" in a cell indicates not applicable or not available data. Contact polito@ucsc.edu if questions.
Variables:
No: Running sample number | None
Sample_ID: Individual sample code | None
Location: Name of location where sample was collected | None
Habitat: Type of habitat where sample was collected | None
Site_Code: Code that references both site and habitat where sample was collected | None
Method: Type of sampling method used to collect sample | None
Method_Replicate: Unique deployment ID for each replicate collection method | None
Date: The date of sample collection in MM/DD/YYYY format | None
Latitude: Sample collection latitude | Decimal degrees
Longitude: Sample collection longitude | Decimal degrees
Group: The broad taxonomic group | None
Taxa: The specific scientific or taxonomic name | None
Common_name: The common taxonomic name | None
n: The number of individuals used to create the sample | None
Size_mm: The individual (n=1) or mean (n>1) size of aquatic consumers | mm
Size_Method: The size method used (TL = total length, CW = carapace width, SH = shell height) | None
Tissue: The tissue type analyzed | None
Sample_Prep: A notation that sample were not lipid extracted prior to analysis | None
S%: Sulfur (S) elemental concentration in sample as percentage of dry weight | %
d34S: Sulfur (S) isotopic value in sample expressed in the delta (δ) notation | ‰
C%: Carbon (C) elemental concentration in sample as percentage of dry weight |%
d13C: Carbon (C) isotopic value in sample expressed in the delta (δ) notation | ‰
N%: Nitrogen (N) elemental concentration in sample as percentage of dry weight | %
d15N: Nitrogen (N) isotopic value in sample expressed in the delta (δ) notation | ‰
CN_ratio: Carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) elemental ratio in sample | None
Code/software
Not applicable
Access information
Data was derived from the following sources:
- Powell, Christina, "Influence of Black Mangrove Expansion on Salt Marsh Faunal Communities of Eastern Coastal Louisiana" (2018). LSU Master's Theses. 4633.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/4633
These data were collected in May 2016 in southeastern Louisiana along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Samples were collected at two locations: Grand Isle (29.223626°, -90.043768°) and Bay Champagne (29.138952°, -90.178298°). Three habitat types were sampled at each location: a salt marsh area dominated by Spartina alterniflora, a mangrove area dominated by Avicennia germinans and a mixed area with vegetation transitional between these two habitat types. At each site and habitat type suspended particulate organic matter, was collected from overlying water on the habitat edge and filtered on a combusted GF/C filter. A 3 cm diameter x 5 cm length core was collected for soil organic matter, surface sediment was extracted for benthic microalgae collection, and aquatic consumers were collected using fyke nets, wire minnow traps, suction sampling, and other quadrat-based and opportunistic methods. Samples were measured, dried, homogenized and then analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur elemental concentrations and stable isotope values using an elemental analyzer system coupled to a continuous-flow stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer.