BOREAS TE-05 Leaf Carbon Isotope Summary The BOREAS group TE-05 collected measurements in the NSA and SSA on gas exchange, gas composition and tree growth. This documentation describes leaf carbon isotope data that were collected in 1993 and 1994 at the NSA and SSA OJP, OBS and NSA UBS sites. In addition, leaf carbon isotope data were collected in 1994 only at the NSA and SSA OA sites. These data were collected to provide seasonal integrated physiological information for 10 to 15 common species at these 6 BOREAS sites. The data are stored in tabular ASCII files. Table of Contents * 1 Data Set Overview * 2 Investigator(s) * 3 Theory of Measurements * 4 Equipment * 5 Data Acquisition Methods * 6 Observations * 7 Data Description * 8 Data Organization * 9 Data Manipulations * 10 Errors * 11 Notes * 12 Application of the Data Set * 13 Future Modifications and Plans * 14 Software * 15 Data Access * 16 Output Products and Availability * 17 References * 18 Glossary of Terms * 19 List of Acronyms * 20 Document Information 1. Data Set Overview 1.1 Data Set Identification BOREAS TE-05 Leaf Carbon Isotope 1.2 Data Set Introduction Leaf carbon isotope data were collected in 1993 and 1994 at the BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) Northern Study Area (NSA) OJP, Southern Study Area (SSA), SSA Old Black Spruce (OBS), and NSA T6R5S Terrestrial Ecology (TE) Upland Black Spruce (UBS) sites. Leaf carbon isotope data were collected in 1994 only at the NSA and SSA Old Aspen (OA) sites. 1.3 Objective/Purpose Leaf carbon isotope data were collected to provide seasonal integrated physiological information for 10 to 15 common species at six BOREAS sites. 1.4 Summary of Parameters Site, collection date, species, foliage age (relevant for conifers), replicate, delta 13C 1.5 Discussion These measurements were made at both the NSA and the SSA in 1993 and 1994 at old jack pine and black spruce sites and in 1994 only at Aspen sites. 1.6 Related Data Sets BOREAS TE-05 Surface Meteorological and Radiation Data BOREAS TE-05 Leaf Gas Exchange Data BOREAS TE-05 Air Stable Isotope Data BOREAS TE-05 Tree Ring and Carbon Isotope Ratio Data 2. Investigator(s) 2.1 Investigator(s) Name and Title J.R. Ehleringer, University of Utah, TE-05 Department of Biology Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Dr. Larry Flanagan Department of Biological Sciences University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, CANADA (403) 380-1858 (403) 329-2082 (fax) larry.flanagan@uleth.ca 2.2 Title of Investigation Vegetation-Atmosphere CO2 and H2O Exchange Processes: Stable Isotope Analyses. 2.3 Contact Information Contact 1 ------------- J. Renee Brooks Dept. of Biology University of South Florida (813) 974-7352 (office) (813) 974-3250 (dept) (813) 974-3263 (fax) rbrook@chuma.cas.usf.edu Contact 2 ---------------- Dr. Larry Flanagan Department of Biological Sciences University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, Alberta CANADA (403) 380-1858 (403) 329-2082 (fax) larry.flanagan@uleth.ca Contact 3 ----------- Shelaine Curd Raytheon STX Corporation NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD (301) 286-2447 (301) 286-0239 (fax) shelaine.curd@gsfc.nasa.gov 3. Theory of Measurements For complete information on stable carbon isotope ratios, please refer to Carbon Isotope Techniques (1991), D. C. Coleman and B. Fry (eds). Academic Press, Inc. The stable carbon isotope ratios (13C/12C) are not presented as an absolute but as the relative difference between the isotope ratios of the sample and standard gases: delta 13C (o/oo) = (Rsample / Rstandard -1) * 1000 where Rsample and Rstandard are the 13C/12C ratios of the plant sample and standard Pee Dee Belemnite (PDB). The overall precision of the measurements of plant materials was ± 0.11 o/oo. 4. Equipment 4.1 Sensor/Instrument Description Isotope ratio mass spectrometer (delta S, Finnigan MAT, San Jose, CA) 4.1.1 Collection Environment Environmental conditions on sampling day should be included in the BOREAS TE-05 Meteorological data. 4.1.2 Source/Platform Leaves were sampled from the upper canopy of each plant. Samples were taken from all sides to ensure a representative sample. 4.1.3 Source/Platform Mission Objectives Leaf carbon isotope data were collected to provide seasonal integrated physiological information for the common species at six BOREAS sites. 4.1.4 Key Variables Site, collection date, species, foliage age (relevant for conifers), replicate, delta 13C 4.1.5 Principles of Operation The mass spectrometer is run by the Stable Isotope Ratio Facility for Ecological Research (SIRFER) at the University of Utah. 4.1.6 Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry None given. 4.1.7 Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument Finnigan MAT 355 River Oaks Parkway San Jose, CA 95134 (404) 424-5284 4.2 Calibration 4.2.1 Specifications The mass spectrometer is calibrated to standard PDB gas. This international standard was a limestone of fossil Belemnitella americana from the Cretaceous Pee Dee formation in South Carolina. 4.2.1.1 Tolerance None given. 4.2.2 Frequency of Calibration Samples are always run in comparison to the standard gas. The TE-05 team ran its own standard cabbage sample after every 12 to 24 leaf samples. 4.2.3 Other Calibration Information None. 5. Data Acquisition Methods Five replicate samples were collected for 10 to 15 of the most common species at each site. Samples were collected from all sides of the plant to ensure a representative sample. Plant leaf material was dried for 48 hours at 70 8C and then ground with a mortar and pestle to a fine powder. A 2-mg subsample was combusted and analyzed for 13C/12C composition using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (delta S, Finnigan MAT, San Jose, CA). A standard sample was run after every 12 to 24 samples. 6. Observations 6.1 Data Notes None given. 6.2 Field Notes None given. 7. Data Description 7.1 Spatial Characteristics 7.1.1 Spatial Coverage Samples were collected at NSA OJP, SSA OJP, SSA OBS, and NSA UBS in 1993 and all the sites listed below in 1994: NSA OJP flux tower site: Lat/Long = 55.927 N, 98.62 W, UTM Zone 14, N:6,197,997 E:523,501. SSA OJP flux tower site: Lat/Long = 53.916 N, -104.69 W, UTM Zone 13, N:5,951,000 E:479,400. NSA OA canopy access tower site: auxiliary site number T2Q6A, BOREAS Experiment Plan, Version 3. SSA OA flux tower site: Lat/Long = 53.629 N, 106.197 W, UTM Zone 13, N:5,942,688 E:420,874. NSA UBS canopy access tower site: auxiliary site number T6R5S, BOREAS Experiment Plan, Version 3). SSA OBS flux tower site: Lat/Long = 53.985 N, 105.122 W, UTM Zone 13, N:5,981,904 E:492,000. 7.1.2 Spatial Coverage Map Not available. 7.1.3 Spatial Resolution These data are point source measurements at the locations given. 7.1.4 Projection Not applicable. 7.1.5 Grid Description Not applicable. 7.2 Temporal Characteristics 7.2.1 Temporal Coverage SSA OBS Ò 26-05-1994, 21-07-1994, 10-08-1994, 31-08-1994, 13-09-1994 SSA OA Ò 30-05-1994, 25-07-1994, 03-09-1994 SSA OJP Ò 25-05-1994, 23-07-1994, 10-08-1994, 11-08-1994, 12-08-1994, 13-08- 1994, 06-09-1994 NSA UBS Ò 04-06-1994, 08-06-1994, 29-07-1994, 18-08-1994, 15-09-1994 NSA OA Ò 11-06-1994, 07-08-1994, 06-09-1994, 07-09-1994 NSA OJP Ò 04-06-1994, 07-06-1994, 25-07-1994, 16-08-1994, 30-08-1994 7.2.2 Temporal Coverage Map Not available. 7.2.3 Temporal Resolution Nominally, each site was visited once per month with some higher frequency measurements as time permitted. 7.3 Data Characteristics Data characteristics are defined in the companion data definition file (te5lciso.def). 7.4 Sample Data Record Sample data format shown in the companion data definition file (te5lciso.def). 8. Data Organization 8.1 Data Granularity All of the Leaf Carbon Isotope Data are contained in one dataset. 8.2 Data Format(s) The data file contains numerical and character fields of varying length separated by commas. The character fields are enclosed with single apostrophe marks. There are no spaces between the fields. Sample data records are shown in the companion data definition files (te5lciso.def). 9. Data Manipulations 9.1 Formulae None given. 9.1.1 Derivation Techniques and Algorithms None given. 9.2 Data Processing Sequence 9.2.1 Processing Steps None given. 9.2.2 Processing Changes None given. 9.3 Calculations 9.3.1 Special Corrections/Adjustments None given. 9.3.2 Calculated Variables None given. 9.4 Graphs and Plots None given. 10. Errors 10.1 Sources of Error All known errors have been removed from the data set. 10.2 Quality Assessment Standard carbon samples were run every 12 to 24 leaf samples. 10.2.1 Data Validation by Source None. 10.2.2 Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment The overall precision of the measurements of plant materials was ±0.11 o/oo. 10.2.3 Measurement Error for Parameters None. 10.2.4 Additional Quality Assessments None. 10.2.5 Data Verification by Data Center Data was examined for general consistency and clarity. 11. Notes 11.1 Limitations of the Data None given. 11.2 Known Problems with the Data All known problems have been removed. 11.3 Usage Guidance None given. 11.4 Other Relevant Information None. 12. Application of the Data Set Leaf carbon isotope data was collected to provide seasonal integrated physiological information for 10-15 common species at six BOREAS sites. 13. Future Modifications and Plans None. 14. Software 14.1 Software Description None. 14.2 Software Access None. 15. Data Access 15.1 Contact Information Ms. Beth Nelson BOREAS Data Manager NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD (301) 286-4005 (301) 286-0239 (fax) Elizabeth.Nelson@gsfc.nasa.gov 15.2 Data Center Identification See section 15.1. 15.3 Procedures for Obtaining Data Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or FAX. 15.4 Data Center Status/Plans These data are available from the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). The BOREAS contact at ORNL is: ORNL DAAC User Services Oak Ridge National Laboratory (865) 241-3952 ornldaac@ornl.gov ornl@eos.nasa.gov 16. Output Products and Availability 16.1 Tape Products None. 16.2 Film Products None. 16.3 Other Products The data are available in tabular ASCII files. 17. References 17.1 Platform/Sensor/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation Coleman, D.C., and B. Fry (eds). (1991) Carbon Isotope Techniques. Academic Press, Inc. 17.2 Journal Articles and Study Reports Flanagan, L.B., Brooks, J.R., and Ehleringer, J.R. 1997. Photosynthesis and carbon isotope discrimination in boreal forest ecosystems: a comparison of functional characteristics in plants from three mature forest types. Journal of Geophysical Research 102: 28861-28869. Sellers, P., and F. Hall. 1994. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version 1994-3.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 94). Sellers, P., F. Hall, H. Margolis, B. Kelly, D. Baldocchi, G. den Hartog, J. Cihlar, M.G. Ryan, B. Goodison, P. Crill, K.J. Ranson, D. Lettenmaier, and D.E. Wickland. 1995. The boreal ecosystem-atmosphere study (BOREAS): an overview and early results from the 1994 field year. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 76(9):1549-1577. Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1994 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC 94). Sellers, P., and F. Hall. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version 1996-2.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 96). Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1997. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1996 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC 96). Sellers, P. J., F. G. Hall, R. D. Kelly, A. Black, D. Baldocchi, J. Berry, M. Ryan, K. J. Ranson, P. M. Crill, D. P. Lettenmaier, H. Margolis, J. Cihlar, J. Newcomer, D. Fitzjarrald, P. G. Jarvis, S. T. Gower, D. Halliwell, D. Williams, B. Goodison, D. E. Wickland, and F. E. Guertin. 1997. BOREAS in 1997: Experiment Overview, Scientific Results and Future Directions. Journal of Geophysical Research 102 (D24): 28,731-28,770. 17.3 Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation None. 18. Glossary of Terms None. 19. List of Acronyms ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange BOREAS - BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study BORIS - BOREAS Information System DAAC - Distributed Active Archive Center EOS - Earth Observing System EOSDIS - EOS Data and Information System GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration NSA - Northern Study Area OA - Old Aspen OBS - Old Black Spruce OJP - Old Jack Pine ORNL - Oak Ridge National Laboratory PANP - Prince Albert National Park PDB - Pee Dee Belemnite SIRFER - Stable Isotope Ratio Facility for Ecological Research SSA - Southern Study Area TE - Terrestrial Ecology UBS - Upland Black Spruce URL - Uniform Resource Locator UTM - Universal Transverse Mercator 20. Document Information 20.1 Document Revision Date Written: 04-May-1997 Revised: 28-Sep-1998 20.2 Document Review Date(s) BORIS Review: 11-Jun-1997 Science Review: 20.3 Document 20.4 Citation Please contact Investigators listed in Section 2.3. 20.5 Document Curator 20.6 Document URL Keywords Carbon Isotope TE05_Leaf_C.doc 10/09/98