Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)/CDR025: Distribution of Wetland Plant Species at Cedar Creek Natural History Area

In most small sites, the transects cross the entire site. Plots 1 m2 are located every 5 m along each transect. Types of data collected so far: Vegetation: Vegetation data are collected for all transects within a one-week period during the last week in July.

Species presence and visual estimates of percent cover are recorded for each plot. The location along the transect where major species appear and disappear is recorded and total species lists for the sites are made. Water: Because of the dry conditions of the past 3 years there has been no standing water in any of these wetlands at the time the vegetation was surveyed.

Measurements of spring water levels along the transects were made in May 1989 and wells have been put into five of these sites (as part of the hydrology study at CCNHA). Transect lines are being surveyed for the change in height from beginning to end. Soil: Soil samples were collected in June and July 1989 alongside plots in 12 sites and analyzed for moisture content, bulk density, pH, organic matter by loss on ignition, and extractable ammonium and nitrate.

Portions of the samples have been saved for further analyses (e.g., for total N). Soil samples will again be collected in the same sites in 1990. Proprietary limits: Access limited, but available with permission from investigators, until subsets are published.

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area (CCNHA) is a 2200 hectare experimental ecological reserve operated by the University of Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Academy of Sciences. CCNHA is located in Anoka and Isanti Counties north of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The site was established in 1940, was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1975. In 1977 it was included as an Experimental Ecology Reserve in a proposed network, and in 1982 it was one of 11 sites in the U.S. selected by the National Science Foundation for funding of LTER. Information about LTER is also available at 'lternet.edu/'