FIFE Root Biomass: Below-Ground Prairie Vegetation Data

During the 1987 growing season, root biomass data were collected from 16 locations within the FIFE study area. The dataset provides a measure of below-ground biomass for the prairie ecosystem, with biomass reported in grams per square meter. Core samples were taken to a depth of 20 cm, a depth assumed to capture the vast majority of total root biomass for this vegetation type.

Use Cases

• Estimating below-ground carbon storage in prairie ecosystems based on root biomass measurements.
• Modeling net primary productivity (NPP) by incorporating below-ground biomass data from the FIFE study area.
• Calibrating remote sensing data for vegetation biomass using ground-truthed root biomass values.
• Studying the distribution of plant biomass between above-ground and below-ground components in a grassland biome.

Strengths

• Data collection is spatially explicit, covering 16 distinct sampling locations within the study area.
• The sampling methodology is clearly described, including the rationale for the 20 cm core depth.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as column names, row count, and file size are missing from all platform entries.
• There is a conflict in reported 'last updated' dates, with one source listing 1987 and others listing 2026, suggesting potential metadata errors.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected via core samples from 16 locations.

Time Range

1987 growing season

Freshness

1987-11-12 23:59:59.999000

Geography

FIFE study area