Ash-free dry mass measurements for three size fractions of organic matter collected from benthic substrate samples. Data originate from up to 10 replicate samples per site across three English chalkstreams, collected on 5 to 7 occasions between October 2012 and October 2013. This dataset was created for quantifying food web mass and nutrient fluxes under the Wessex BESS project.
Use Cases
- Model organic matter flux in chalkstream food webs using the three distinct size fractions (>1cm, >1mm, >0.025mm) as trophic node inputs.
- Analyze spatial and temporal variation in ash-free dry mass across the Nine Mile River, River Till, and River Wylye sites.
- Compare biomass distribution among the >1cm, >1mm, and >0.025mm size fractions to understand benthic substrate composition.
- Calibrate ecosystem models with quantified benthic organic matter data from up to 10 replicate samples per sampling occasion.
Strengths
- Data includes measurements for three analytically distinct organic matter size fractions.
- Sampling design includes up to 10 replicate samples per site and occasion for statistical robustness.
- Temporal coverage spans a full annual cycle from October 2012 to October 2013.
- Geographic coverage includes three intensively studied chalkstream sites in the Wessex area.
Limitations
- Sample size is limited to three specific river sites, reducing generalizability to other chalkstreams.
- Temporal resolution is limited to 5-7 sampling occasions over one year, not continuous monitoring.
- Row and column counts, dataset size, and specific data structure are unknown from the provided input.
Provenance
- Source
- Environmental Information Data Centre
- Collection Method
- Quantitative samples of benthic substrate, with ash-free dry mass determined for three size fractions.
- Time Range
- October 2012 to October 2013
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Three chalkstream sites in the Wessex chalk area, England, UK: Nine Mile River, River Till, River Wylye