Grassland Biomass and NPP Measurements with Fire Impact Study

Three text files contain monthly biomass and net primary productivity (NPP) estimates from two saline grassland sites in Montecillo, Mexico, spanning June 1984 to December 1994. The dataset includes climate records from 1963-1989 and was published by ORNL_CLOUD, with documentation last updated in March 2026. It captures the ecological impact of accidental and managed fires on above- and below-ground productivity.

Use Cases

• Analyzing post-fire recovery patterns in above-ground NPP (ANPP) and below-ground NPP (BNPP) for grassland sites MNT1 and MNT2.
• Correlating annual NPP averages (e.g., 1,676 g/m2/yr total NPP at MNT1) with monthly and annual climate data from the Chapingo station.
• Studying decomposition rates of above- and below-ground dead matter in relation to biomass measurements.
• Comparing productivity between an accidentally burned site (MNT1, 1986) and a managed burn site (MNT2, 1989).

Strengths

• Provides specific annual NPP averages for a key period: ANPP averaged 669.2 g/m2/yr and BNPP averaged 1,007 g/m2/yr at site MNT1 from 1985-1987.
• Includes a long-term climate record from a nearby meteorological station, covering 26 years from 1963 to 1989.
• Data accuracy was verified, with files confirmed identical to the original 1996 publication.

Limitations

• Contains acknowledged data gaps in the monthly biomass and NPP time series for both grassland sites.
• Column names and precise row counts are not provided by any source platform.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date, with one listing 1994-12 15 and another 2026-03-12.

Provenance

Source

ORNL_CLOUD

Collection Method

Field measurements at the Colegio de Postgraduados field station site, Montecillo, Mexico.

Time Range

1963 to 1994

Freshness

2026-03-12 23:12:31.825161

Geography

Montecillo, Mexico; climate data from Chapingo meteorological station 5 km northeast.