Marcell Experimental Forest daily maximum and minimum air temperature, 1961 - ongoing

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Verry, Elon S.
Originator: Elling, Arthur E.
Originator: Kyllander, Richard L.
Originator: Roman, Daniel T.
Originator: Burdick, Jacob M.
Originator: Lany, Nina K.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Marcell Experimental Forest daily maximum and minimum air temperature, 1961 - ongoing
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0063
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains daily maximum and minimum air temperature collected from 1961-ongoing at the Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) in Itasca County, Minnesota, which is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. The data come from three long-term meteorological monitoring stations.
Purpose:
The Marcell Experimental Forest was formally established in 1962. The MEF contains six watersheds (and other study sites), each consisting of an upland portion and a peatland that is the source of a stream leaving the watershed. The watersheds and environmental monitoring at the MEF are part of a long-term research program on the hydrology and biogeochemistry of watersheds with uplands and northern peatlands (Kolka et al. 2011).
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the MEF, its instrumentation, and data can be found at https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/ef/marcell/ and in Sebestyen et al. (2011).
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19610601
Ending_Date: 20191231
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Planned
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Irregular
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
The USDA Forest Service Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) is an 1140-hectare tract of land located 40 kilometers north of Grand Rapids in Balsam Township, Itasca County, Minnesota, USA.

Bounding Coordinates for MEF South (S2) NWS shelter
West: -93.4706821209
East: -93.4706821209
North: 47.5152344351
South: 47.5152344351

Bounding Coordinates for MEF North (S5) NWS shelter
West: -93.4767800004
East: -93.4767800004
North: 47.5650700002
South: 47.5650700002

Bounding Coordinates for MEF S2 Bog NWS shelter
West: -93.4691999998
East: -93.4691999998
North: 47.5140200004
South: 47.5140200004
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -93.50
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -93.45
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.57
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.50
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: inlandWaters
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resource Management & Use
Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: bogs
Theme_Keyword: fens
Theme_Keyword: meteorology
Theme_Keyword: peatland
Theme_Keyword: temperature
Theme_Keyword: weather
Theme_Keyword: wetland
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Marcell Experimental Forest
Place_Keyword: Minnesota
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Verry, Elon S.; Elling, Arthur E.; Kyllander, Richard L.; Roman, Daniel T.; Burdick, Jacob M.; Lany, Nina K.; Kolka, Randall K. 2020. Marcell Experimental Forest daily maximum and minimum air temperature, 1961 - ongoing. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0063
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Stephen Sebestyen
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
Contact_Position: Research Hydrologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 1831 Hwy 169 East
City: Grand Rapids
State_or_Province: MN
Postal_Code: 55744-3399
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 218-326-71082
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: stephen.sebestyen@usda.gov
Data_Set_Credit:
Funding for this project provided by USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station.

Others we would like to credit for their work with these data: Clarence Hawkinson and Carrie Dorrance.
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Verry, Elon S.
Originator: Elling, Arthur E.
Originator: Kyllander, Richard L.
Originator: Roman, Daniel T.
Originator: Burdick, Jacob M.
Originator: Lany, Nina K.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Hawkinson, Clarence
Originator: Dorrance, Carrie
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Marcell Experimental Forest daily maximum and minimum air temperature, 1961 - ongoing
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publisher: Environmental Data Initiative
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/288f5cd32d34aeea9e80799e99867b53
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Bradford, John B.
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Chapter 3: An evolving research agenda at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book chapter
Other_Citation_Details:
pages 73-91
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/37980
Larger_Work_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Kolka, Randall K. (Ed.)
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D. (Ed.)
Originator: Verry, Elon S. (Ed.)
Originator: Brooks, Kenneth N. (Ed.)
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Peatland biogeochemistry and watershed hydrology at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Boca Raton, FL
Publisher: CRC Press
Other_Citation_Details:
512 pages
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1201/b10708
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Dorrance, Carrie
Originator: Olson, Donna M.
Originator: Verry, Elon S.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Elling, Art E.
Originator: Kyllander, Richard
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Chapter 2: Long-term monitoring sites and trends at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book chapter
Other_Citation_Details:
pages 15-71
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/37979
Larger_Work_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Kolka, Randall K. (Ed.)
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D. (Ed.)
Originator: Verry, Elon S. (Ed.)
Originator: Brooks, Kenneth N. (Ed.)
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Peatland biogeochemistry and watershed hydrology at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Boca Raton, FL
Publisher: CRC Press
Other_Citation_Details:
512 pages
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1201/b10708
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of these data. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
unknown
Completeness_Report:
Data collection at the S2 (South) upland site has been continuous from 1961, while the S2 bog site data are continuous from July 1989. Data from the S5 (North) upland site are continuous from 1962.

For all variables NA = not recorded.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
Daily maximum and minimum temperatures are measured at three locations on the experimental forest. Daily air temperatures are available for two upland locations (S2 and S5) and one bog location (S2 Bog). Data collection at the S2 (South) upland site has been continuous from 1961 to the present, while the S2 bog site data are continuous from July 1989 to the present. Data from the S5 (North) upland site are continuous from 1962 to the present.

The shelters at the upland sites are in open areas with grass that is mowed at least every 2 weeks when growing. Optimally, the forest clearings are maintained with a 45-degree opening from the height of the thermometers. However, there were periods when this site condition was not adequately maintained. At both North and South, the clearings are surrounded by mature aspen (Populus tremuloides, P. balsamifera, and P. grandidentata) stands. Though hardwood forest stands near snow course transects have not been managed, forest cover is shifting from overstory dominance of aspen to balsam fir (Abies balsamea), red maple (Acer rubrum), basswood (Tilia americana) and red oak (Quercus rubra).The North and South sites are separated by about 5 kilometers (km). The South and S2 bog site are separated by about 0.175 km.

The shelter in the S2 bog (a northern peatland) is beneath a black spruce (Picea mariana) forest canopy. Sphagnum and low ericaceous shrubs (Rhododendron groenlandicum, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium angustifolium) grow under and around the shelter. The organic soil (peat), which is less than 3 meter (m) deep where air temperature is measured, is not stable for data recorders. Therefore, the shelter is mounted on three treated posts that extend below the maximum frost depth. Water tables are at or near the peat surface.

All three sites have Belfort model 594-1 hygrothermographs (data resolution 1-degree Fahrenheit). Each site also has a US Weather Bureau style maximum and minimum thermometers (hereafter, max min thermometers) mounted on a Townsend Support (National Weather Service 2014). The instruments are housed in Standard National Weather Service Shelters. The shelters are 107 centimeters (cm) (42 inches) off the ground, have louvered sides, vented bottoms, double roofs and are painted white for protection against direct solar radiation. The sites have been visited weekly and charts are changed during visits.

The max min thermometers were read weekly and reset during site visits. The weekly readings were recorded on charts. In the Grand Rapids Forestry Sciences Laboratory, the weekly maximum and minimum values were used to calibrate the hygrothermograph temperature recorder and to prorate the chart values if they differed. The daily maximum and minimum values were written on charts.

If the hygrothermograph malfunctions (e.g. clock stops, pen stops inking, other mechanical issues), the daily temps were estimated from the max min thermometer readings and the chart from one of the other sites. A Hobo external temperature data logger (Onset Corporation, Part no. H08-031-08) has been paired with each hygrothermograph and logged values were used to gap file maximum and minimum daily values. The Hobo sensors were placed on August 1, 1997 at the North site, November 15, 2007 at the South site, and September 1, 1999 at the S2 bog site. Hygrothermograph malfunctions were uncommon and, never more than 1-7 days were affected since the sites were visited weekly. Hygrothermographs have been cleaned and lubricated on a yearly basis, or more frequently if subjected to an extreme dust, pollen, or insect event. Maxaximum minimum thermometers are calibrated with a distilled water ice bath.

Values were recorded in degrees Fahrenheit on paper tally sheets before the mid-1990s, and entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets thereafter. All entries were verified and data plots were observed to detect any suspicious values. The daily maximum and minimum entries were then converted to metric units and stored in a summary spreadsheet. All values are presented in degrees Celsius.
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Dorrance, Carrie
Originator: Olson, Donna M.
Originator: Verry, Elon S.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Elling, Art E.
Originator: Kyllander, Richard
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Chapter 2: Long-term monitoring sites and trends at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Book Chapter
Other_Citation_Details:
pages 15-71
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/37979
Larger_Work_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Kolka, Randall K. (Ed.)
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D. (Ed.)
Originator: Verry, Elon S. (Ed.)
Originator: Brooks, Kenneth N. (Ed.)
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Peatland biogeochemistry and watershed hydrology at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Boca Raton, FL
Publisher: CRC Press
Other_Citation_Details:
512 pages
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1201/b10708
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: National Weather Service
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:
National Weather Service manual 10-1315: Cooperative station observations and maintenance
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: National Weather Service
Other_Citation_Details:
130 pp
Online_Linkage: https://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/sym/pd01013015curr.pdf
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below you will find a list and description of the files included in this data publication.

DATA FILES

\Data\MEF_airTemp_daily.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing daily maximum and minimum air temperature data collected from 1961-ongoing at the Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) in Itasca County, Minnesota.

VARIABLES:

DATE = Sample date formatted YYYY-MM-DD.

South_MAXC = Daily maximum temperature at the South (S2) met station measured in Celsius.

South_MINC = Daily minimum temperature at the South (S2) met station measured in Celsius.

S2Bog_MAXC = Daily maximum temperature at the North (S5) met station measured in Celsius.

S2Bog_MINC = Daily minimum temperature at the North (S5) met station measured in Celsius.

North_MAXC = Daily maximum temperature at the S2 Bog met station measured in Celsius.

North_MINC = Daily minimum temperature at the S2 Bog met station measured in Celsius.


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES

\Supplements\hygrothermograph.jpg: JPEG image file containing an image of the air temperature hygrothermograph and max/min thermometers in instrument box on watershed S2. Photo taken at the Marcell Experimental Forest by Molly Cavaleri (2002).

\Supplements\hygrothermograph_adjust.jpg: JPEG image file containing an image of the hygrothermograph being changed. Art Elling, hydrologic technician, marks maximum and minimum temperatures while changing the hygrothermograph chart. Photo taken at the Marcell Experimental Forest by Molly Cavaleri (2002).
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
none provided
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of October 2020. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2020-0063
Distribution_Liability:
Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which these data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ASCII
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-delimited ASCII text file (CSV)
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0063
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: JPEG
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Joint Photograph Experts Group image file
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0063
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20201023
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Nina Lany
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
Contact_Position: Data Manager
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 271 Mast Road
City: Durham
State_or_Province: NH
Postal_Code: 03824-0640
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 603-868-7792
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nina.lany@usda.gov
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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