Marcell Experimental Forest biweekly snow depth, frost depth, and snow water equivalent, 1962 - 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: 2021
Title:
Marcell Experimental Forest biweekly snow depth, frost depth, and snow water equivalent, 1962 - 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-2021-0016
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains snowpack and frost data measured at the Marcell Experimental Forest from 1962–ongoing. These data came from five peatland/upland forest watersheds instrumented for hydrologic monitoring. Frost thickness and snowpack (snow water content, snowpack depth) are measured at 10 snowcourses that encompass three cover types (conifer, deciduous, open). The Marcell Experimental Forest in Itasca County, Minnesota, is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, and was formally established in 1962 to study the ecology and hydrology of peatlands.
Purpose:
The Marcell Experimental Forest was formally established in 1962 to study the ecology and hydrology of peatlands. 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: 19620312
Ending_Date: 20190418
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:
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: frost
Theme_Keyword: peatland
Theme_Keyword: snow accumulation
Theme_Keyword: snow depth
Theme_Keyword: snow water equivalence
Theme_Keyword: wetland
Theme_Keyword: winter
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. 2021. Marcell Experimental Forest biweekly snow depth, frost depth, and snow water equivalent, 1962 - ongoing. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0016
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, Carrie Dorrance and Katy Johnson.
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.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Marcell Experimental Forest biweekly snow depth, frost depth, and snow water equivalent, 1962 - ongoing
Edition: ver. 1
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publisher: Environmental Data Initiative
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/2addb04291411d54c99f0740d5335e8f
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 measurements are uninterrupted since December 1962.

SnowDEPTH values of NA = not recorded
SWE values of NA = not recorded
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
Ten permanent snowcourses under various cover types were established beginning during 1962. Each snowcourse has 10 sample points on each course. Each sample point is marked with a post from which a weighing scale is hung for measurement of snow water equivalent (SWE). Watershed S1 has an upland course in an aspen (Populus tremuloides, P. balsamifera, and P. grandidentata) stand. Watershed S2 has 2 upland courses in aspen stands, and a bog course in a black spruce (Picea mariana) stand. Watershed S3 has an upland course in a red pine (Pinus resinosa) stand. Watershed S5 has 2 upland courses in aspen stands, an upland course in the open and a bog course in a black spruce stand. The final snow course is in an open fen called Junction Fen. The four southern points along the S1 uplands snowcourse were moved several meters during 2010 to accommodate new roads.

Though hardwood forest stands near snow course transects have not been managed, forest cover is shifting from overstory dominance of aspen and birch (Betula papyrifera) to balsam fir (Abies balsamea), red maple (Acer rubrum), basswood (Tilia americana) and red oak (Quercus rubra). The red pine in the S3 watershed was planted during 1963 following clearcutting of the previous stand.

The S2 and S5 bogs are ombrotrophic peatlands with mature black spruce (Picea mariana), tamarack (Larix laricina), ericaceous shrubs (Rhododendron groenlandicum, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium angustifolium), and Sphagnum mosses. Junction fen is a poor fen with no trees except along the margins. The surface cover is dominated by ericaceous shrubs (Chamaedaphne calyculata), Sphagnum mosses, and Polytrichum mosses. All the peatlands have hummock and hollow microtopography.

Each year, the first measurement was made in mid to late February at the typical time of maximum depth of snow pack. Measurements were repeated every 2 weeks until no snow cover remained.

Snow cores were collected a predetermined distance and direction from the permanent posts to eliminate bias in sample location and repeated sampling of the same area over time. The tubes were waxed inside and out with automobile wax to reduce adhesion of snow to tube walls and facilitate emptying between snow cores.

A Mount Rose (Federal) Snow Tube was used for depth measurements and SWE determination. The snow tube is a hollow 3.8 centimeter (cm) (1.5 inch, inside diameter) aluminum tube. The tube has a sharpened serrated edge at the bottom and the outside is marked off in inches. The tube is 78.7 cm (31 inches) long. While rarely needed, extensions of 31 inches each can be added. The empty tube is weighed before sampling. If the snow was soft or fluffy, the tube was inserted through the snow to the ground surface. If the snow was compacted or crusted, the tube was turned or screwed through part or all the snow to the ground surface. With the tube resting on the ground surface the snow depth along the outside of the tube was read from graduations on the exterior of the tube to the nearest 1.3 cm (0.5 inch). The tube was then turned to cut into the litter layer to reduce the possibility of snow from falling out the end when the tube was lifted. When the tube was out of the snow, the litter was carefully removed from the end. The length of the snow core inside was observed through slots along the length of the tube and compared to the depth reading (data resolution 2.5 cm/1.0 inch). If none of the snow had fallen out the bottom, the tube and core were weighed using a hanging weigh scale (Chatillon milk scale 6 pound [lb] capacity). The difference in weight between the empty and full tube was converted into inches of water (1 ounce = one inch of water; data resolution 0.25 cm/0.1 inch).

From 1962 to February, 2012, frost measurements were made with a Lake States frost penetrometer (Stoeckeler and Thames 1958), which is a 1.3 cm stainless steel rod about 1 m long with a sharpened and slightly flared point. The bottom 45 cm were marked in 2.5 cm intervals. The attached driver, a 5.5 kilogram (kg) weight, was lifted 45 cm and dropped, whereupon the weight strikes a plate that drove the penetrometer into the soil. Additional manual force was applied as necessary. When the flared point broke through the frost movement was perceptibly faster and easier than in the frost layer. The frost depth was estimated to the nearest 2.5 cm by subtracting the number of increments remaining aboveground from the total number of increments. On the rare occasion when frost was deeper than 45 cm, it was recorded as 45 cm. If the frost penetrometer hit a buried object in the peat, like a log, it was pulled up and moved to another location. A bouncing sensation with no downward progress of the probe was characteristic of impacting a buried log in peat. After Feb 16, 2012, frost depth was measured using a 1.0 cm (3/8 inch) or 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) masonry with a 91.4 cm (36 inch) shank driven by a portable drill. Frost depth was measured as the distance until resistance to drilling decreased at the interface of frozen and underlying unfrozen substrate. The depth was marked along the drill bit, the drill was retracted from the hole, and the depth was measured with a tape measure to the nearest 2.5 cm (1 inch).

More information on study sites and methods can be found in Sebestyen et al. (2011), Church (2017), and Clyde (1931).
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: Church, J. E., Jr.
Publication_Date: 1917
Title:
Snow surveying: its problems and their present phases with reference to Mount Rose, Nevada and vicinity
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book chapter
Other_Citation_Details:
pages 496-560
Larger_Work_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Woodward, Robert S.
Publication_Date: 1917
Title:
Proceedings of the Second Pan American Scientific Congress, Washington, U.S.A., Monday, December 27, 1915 to Saturday, January 8, 1916
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Washington, DC
Publisher: U.S. Government Printing Office
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Clyde, George D.
Publication_Date: 1931
Title:
A new spring balance for measuring water content of snow
Edition: 73:1885
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Publication_Information:
Publisher: Soil Science
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.73.1885.189
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below you will find these data available in this data publication and a short description of its contents.

DATA FILES (2)

1. \Data\MEF_frost_biweekly.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing biweekly frost depth measurements, 1962 - ongoing, at the Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) in Itasca County, Minnesota.

VARIABLES:

Watershed = watershed containing snowcourse transect
S1 = S1 bog
S2 = S2 bog
S3 = S3 fen
S5 = S5 bog
JUNCTION = Junction fen

SnowcourseID = snowcourse transect identifier
S5WS = S5 open upland area
JUNC = Junction Fen open fen area
S11 = S1 deciduous area
S21 = S2 deciduous area
S22 = S2 deciduous are
S51 = S5 deciduous area
S52 = S5 open upland area
S23 = S2 conifer bog area
S54 = S5 conifer bog area
PINE = S3 conifer upland area

Date = sampling date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Point = permanent point (1-10) along transect

FrostDEPTH = depth of frost (centimeters)


2. \Data\MEF_snowSWE_biweekly.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing biweekly snow depth and snow water equivalet measurements, 1962 - ongoing, at the Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) in Itasca County, Minnesota.

VARIABLES:

Watershed = watershed containing snowcourse transect (see full description of categories above)

SnowcourseID = snowcourse transect identifier (see full description of categories above)

Date = sampling date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Point = permanent point (1-10) along transect

SnowDEPTH = depth of snow (centimeters), NA = not recorded

SWE = snow water equivalent (centimeters), NA = not recorded


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (1)

1. \Supplements\MEF_snowcourse_coordinates.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing snowcourse ID geographic location coordinates.

VARIABLES:

Watershed = watershed containing snowcourse transect (see full description of categories above)

SnowcourseID = snowcourse transect identifier (see full description of categories above)

Point = permanent point (1-10) along transect

LATITUDE = latitude (decimal degrees)

LONGITUDE = longitude (decimal degrees)
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 February 2021. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2021-0016
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-2021-0016
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20210223
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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