Tropical Forest Net Primary Productivity and Nutrient Flux at Chamela, Mexico

Net primary productivity estimates for a tropical dry deciduous forest at the Chamela Biological Station in Mexico. The dataset includes detailed above-ground and below-ground NPP components, nutrient fluxes for phosphorus and other minerals, and local precipitation and temperature data collected from three watershed plots along an elevational gradient. Field measurements were taken during wet and dry seasons from 1982 to 1995, and the data was originally published by NASA in 2001.

Use Cases

• Modeling carbon sequestration by analyzing above-ground NPP components like fine litterfall and wood increment.
• Assessing ecosystem nutrient budgets using data on phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium inputs and outputs.
• Studying the relationship between climate and productivity by correlating onsite precipitation and temperature records with NPP estimates.
• Comparing forest productivity across micro-environments using data from three permanent plots along a 60 to 160-meter elevational gradient.
• Estimating below-ground carbon allocation through data on fine root production and root increment.

Strengths

• Provides long-term, seasonally resolved field measurements over a 13-year period from 1982 to 1995.
• Includes detailed breakdowns of NPP into six specific components (e.g., fine litterfall, leaf herbivory, fine root production).
• Contains ancillary environmental data (precipitation, min/max temperature) collected onsite, supporting integrated analysis.
• Data accuracy was verified, with files remaining identical to the original 2001 publication.

Limitations

• NPP estimates are considered lower bounds as they do not account for root and stem herbivory.
• Key metadata such as row count, column names, and exact data size are unavailable across all platforms.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' date: one platform lists 2026-03-12 (documentation update), while another lists 1999 10-31.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Field measurements obtained at permanent watershed plots within the Chamela Biological Station.

Time Range

1982 to 1995

Freshness

2026-03-12 23:08:23.580855

Geography

Chamela Biological Station, a 3,300-hectare area in Mexico, specifically three plots from 60 to 160 meters above sea level.