Leaf mass per area for 105 tree species in Puerto Rico

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Menick, Casey E.
Originator: Helmer, Eileen H.
Originator: Tinkham, Wade T.
Originator: Wood, Tana E.
Originator: Marcano-Vega, Humfredo
Originator: Grullón-Penkova, Iana F.
Originator: Berberich, Megan E.
Publication_Date: 2023
Title:
Leaf mass per area for 105 tree species in Puerto Rico
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-2023-0009
Description:
Abstract:
Scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry and Southern Research Station of the USDA Forest Service are using a combination of forest inventory data and tree species trait data to model and understand Caribbean forests. Leaf mass per area is an important tree species trait. It is a major indicator of tree life history strategy which, in turn, is important to managing and understanding forests. Forest products, productivity and carbon storage, nitrogen cycling, succession, diversity, drought tolerance and other forest characteristics can be related to this trait. This data publication contains the dry weight of each leaf sample, area of each leaf sample, and leaf mass per area for each sample for 105 different tree species in Puerto Rico. Leaf samples were collected October through December 2018 as well as February through March 2019. Each leaf mass per area relationship is based on samples collected from 1-6 individual trees for each species, with 1-5 replicates for each tree. Various locations were visited in Puerto Rico where a range of common species were expected to be found and samples were collected.
Purpose:
These data were collected to be used to model and analyze tree and seedling demography, diversity dynamics, productivity, carbon storage, and other nutrient cycling to better manage and understand Caribbean forests and tropical forests in general.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 201810
Ending_Date: 201903
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
The samples for this study were distributed across most of Puerto Rico, USA.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -67.5
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -65.5
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.5
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.5
Bounding_Altitudes:
Altitude_Minimum: 0
Altitude_Maximum: 1300
Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: biota
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
Theme_Keyword: Plant ecology
Theme_Keyword: Forest & Plant Health
Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: leaf mass per area
Theme_Keyword: leaf traits
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Puerto Rico
Place_Keyword: Caribbean
Place_Keyword: neotropical
Place_Keyword: tropical
Taxonomy:
Taxonomic_System:
Classification_System/Authority:
Classification_System_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: ITIS
Publication_Date: 2022
Title:
Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: on-line database
Other_Citation_Details:
Retrieved [November, 8, 2022]; CC0
Online_Linkage: https://www.itis.gov
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F7KH0KBK
Taxonomic_Procedures:
The taxonomic classification for each of these species is provided in \Supplements\taxonomy.html.
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:

Menick, Casey E.; Helmer, Eileen H.; Tinkham, Wade T.; Wood, Tana E.; Marcano-Vega, Humfredo; Grullón-Penkova, Iana F.; Berberich, Megan E. 2023. Leaf mass per area for 105 tree species in Puerto Rico. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2023-0009
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry
Contact_Person: Eileen H. Helmer
Contact_Position: Research Ecologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: c/o Rocky Mountain Research Station
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970-498-2644
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: eileen.helmer@usda.gov
Data_Set_Credit:
Funding was provided by the USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry and Southern Research Station; the U.S. Department of Energy; and Colorado State University.

Thanks to Aral Greene, Ixia Aviles-Vaszuez, Helena Kleiner, Veronica Lourich, Carolina May, Megan Muller-Girard, Rosanise Odell, Luis Ortiz-Lopez, Virginia-Rose Seagal, Ivan Vicens and Rob Tunison for their assistance.


Author Information:

Casey E. Menick
Colorado State University
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3505-1871

Eileen H. Helmer
USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3731-0056

Wade T. Tinkham
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4668-7624

Tana E. Wood
USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6322-6224

Humfredo Marcano-Vega
USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7642-9151

Iana F. Grullón-Penkova
USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3280-9432

Megan E. Berberich
Michigan Technological University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5363-892X
Analytical_Tool:
Analytical_Tool_Description:
R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics.
Tool_Access_Information:
Online_Linkage: https://www.r-project.org/
Tool_Access_Instructions:
See website for information.
Tool_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: R Core Team
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
R: A language and environment for statistical computing
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: software
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Vienna, Austria
Publisher: R Foundation for Statistical Computing
Online_Linkage: https://www.r-project.org/
Analytical_Tool:
Analytical_Tool_Description:
LeafArea: an R package for rapid digital image analysis of leaf area. This software was used to estimate leaf area from image scans.
Tool_Access_Information:
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1307-x
Tool_Access_Instructions:
See website for information.
Tool_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Katabuchi, Masatoshi
Publication_Date: 2015
Title:
LeafArea: an R package for rapid digital image analysis of leaf area
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Ecological Research
Issue_Identification: 30(6): 1073-1077
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1307-x
Analytical_Tool:
Analytical_Tool_Description:
ImageJ: Image processing and analysis in Java
Tool_Access_Information:
Online_Linkage: https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/index.html
Tool_Access_Instructions:
See website for information.
Tool_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Schneider, Caroline A.
Originator: Rasband, Wayne S.
Originator: Eliceiri, Kevin W.
Publication_Date: 2012
Title:
NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Nature Methods
Issue_Identification: 9: 671-675
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2089
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Each leaf mass per area relationship is based on 1-5 leaf samples collected from 1-6 individual trees resulting in 3-25 replicates for each species. If necessary, samples were split into several scans to accommodate for large-area leaves, with their data later recombined. In these cases, the overlap of leaf parts during scanning would result in a slight underestimation of leaf area and therefore an overestimation in the mass per unit area. Where leaf mass per area measurements were available from other sources for the same species, the values we measured were consistent with those data.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Some estimates are based on more than one individual of the same species; when the variation of individual estimates for a species was higher than expected, individual leaf scans where visually inspected to ensure proper digitization.
Completeness_Report:
Individual trees were selected ad hoc by field crews.

There are a few cases where the date the leaf sample dry weight was taken is missing, and these are recorded as blank values.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
STUDY DESIGN

A list of common species found in Puerto Rico was developed. Sampling took place October through December 2018 and February through March 2019. Locations all across Puerto Rico were visited, where these species were expected to be found. Trees at these locations were selected ad hoc by field crews. Other species were sampled at locations if time permitted. For some widespread species (i.e., Spathodea campanulata, Guarea guidonia, Cecropia schreberiana, Bursera simaruba and Tabebuia heterophylla), samples were collected from a range of environments.

Leaf samples were collected from 1-6 individual trees of each species. For each individual tree, 1-5 replicate samples were taken. Live leaf samples were clipped from trees, labeled and placed into bags. This resulted in a total of 176 trees being sampled with a total of 793 leaf samples.

Samples were transferred to the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) Sabana Field Research Station for processing.
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Lab
Methodolgy_Identifier:
Methodolgy_Keyword_Thesaurus:
None
Methodology_Keyword: Leaf mass per area
Methodology_Description:
DATA PROCESSING

Leaves were collected, scanned, dried, weighed, and analyzed as described below:

1. Take leaf samples and remove petiole, as well as rachis if leaves are compound
2. Flatten leaves and place alongside a ruler or object of known length on a white background
3. Photograph or scan leaves from a set distance, limiting sources of glare or shadow
4. Process imagery as needed to enhance brightness or contrast with editing software (e.g., ImageJ)
5. Analyze imagery using 'LeafArea' R package to estimate leaf area (Katabuchi 2015)
6. Place leaves in drying oven at 65 degrees Celsius for at least 48 hours
7. Weigh sample once dry and record weight
8. Calculate leaf mass per area as ratio of dry weight divided by leaf area
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Katabuchi, Masatoshi
Publication_Date: 2015
Title:
LeafArea: an R package for rapid digital image analysis of leaf area
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Ecological Research
Issue_Identification: 30(6): 1073-1077
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1307-x
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: USDA, National Reources Conservation Service
Publication_Date: 2022
Title:
The PLANTS Database
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Greensboro, NC
Publisher: National Plant Data Team
Online_Linkage: http://plants.usda.gov
Type_of_Source_Media: Online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2022
Source_Currentness_Reference:
Publication Date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
The PLANTS Database
Source_Contribution:
This database was used as the source for tree species names.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
see methodology
Process_Date: Unknown
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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.

VARIABLE DESCRIPTION FILE (1)

1. \Data\_variable_descriptions.csv: Comma-separated values (CSV) file containing a list and description of variables found in all data files. (A description of these variables is also provided in the metadata below.)

Columns include:

filename = name of data file
variable = name of variable
units = units (if applicable)
precision = precision (if applicable)
description = description of variable


DATA FILES (2)

1. \Data\LMAData.csv: CSV file containing the weight, area, and leaf mass per area for all collected leaf samples, arranged by species and individual tree.

Variables include:

treesp = tree species from the USDA PLANTS database of the given sample

treeid = individual tree identification number

rep = number of sample replicate for each individual tree (1-5)

sampleid = individual sample identification number

scanid = scan identification number; may have multiple for each sample if leaves had a large area

dryweightg = weight of each leaf sample after dried at 65 degrees Celsius for 48 hours (grams [g])

areacm2 = area of each leaf sample retrieved from LeafArea R package (square centimeters [cm²])

lmagcm2 = leaf mass per area for each sample (g/cm²)

notes = additional information



2. \Data\SamplingHistory.csv: CSV file containing the dates of collection and processing for each sample.

Variables include:

treesp = tree species from the USDA PLANTS database of the given sample

treeid = individual tree identification number

noreps = total number of replicates measured for each individual tree (1-3, 5)

datecollection = date leaf sample taken in field (mm/dd/yyyy)

dateleafscan = date leaf sample image was scanned (mm/dd/yyyy)

datedryweight = date leaf sample dry weight was taken (mm/dd/yyyy)



SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (1)

1. \Supplements\taxonomy.html: HTML file containing taxonomy for the 105 species in these data files.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
USDA, NRCS. 2022. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 5 November 2022).
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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 January 2023. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2023-0009
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 the 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: CSV
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-separated values 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-2023-0009
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20230126
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry
Contact_Person: Eileen H. Helmer
Contact_Position: Research Ecologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: c/o Rocky Mountain Research Station
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970-498-2644
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: eileen.helmer@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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