Long-term monitoring of plant net primary production, flowering times and goose grazing impact on vegetation of the Cape Churchill Peninsula, Manitoba

• Main Authors: Jefferies, Robert L., Horrigan, Emma, Rockwell, Robert F.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network 2012
• Subjects: Cape Churchill; Carbon; Graminoids; Grazing impacts; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Primary production; Soil microbial biomass; Soil temperature; Wetland; Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna - Terrestrial; International Polar Year-Arctic Wildlife Observatories Linking Vulnerable EcoSystems; Arctic; Churchill Peninsula; Churchill; Circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program; Climate change; Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna; International Polar Year
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5443/732; https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/?doi_id=732

Measurements were taken of above- and below-ground standing crop in wet sedge meadows and an intertidal salt marsh in grazed and ungrazed plots treated with nutrients (NPC, NP, C, control). Plot sizes were 50 cm x 50 cm (n = 3 or 5). The nutrient content of the plant samples will be analyzed and the results of the dry weight of biomass will be used to estimate net primary production. Plots are harvested in early August/late July. Soil microbial biomass and soil properties were also measured. ** Standing crop data available for download. If data are downloaded and used for analyses, it would greatly be appreciated that the contact researcher be informed. : Purpose: Habitat in the region is being impacted by both destructive foraging of a growing snow goose population and by climate change. We continue our long-term monitoring of the plant community to document the extent of these changes. Graminoid primary production is monitored along with the impact of goose grazing in wet sedge meadows and an intertidal salt-marsh. : Summary: Not Applicable