Data and code from: Invasive grass indirectly alters seasonal patterns in seed predation
Authors/Creators
- 1. University of Florida
Description
Invasive species threaten ecosystems globally, but their impacts can be cryptic when they occur indirectly. Invader phenology can also differ from that of native species, potentially causing seasonality in invader impacts. Yet, it is unclear if invader phenology can drive seasonal patterns in indirect effects. We used a field experiment to test if an invasive grass (Imperata cylindrica) caused seasonal indirect effects by altering rodent foraging and seed predation patterns through time. Using seeds from native longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), we found seed predation was 25% greater, on average, in invaded than control plots, but this effect varied by season. Seed predation was 24% - 157% greater in invaded plots during spring and fall months, but invasion had no effect on seed predation in other months. One of the largest effects occurred in October when longleaf pine seeds are dispersed, suggesting potential effects on tree regeneration. Thus, seasonal patterns in indirect effects from invaders may cause underappreciated impacts on ecological communities.
Notes
This dataset contains data for seed predation and vegetation conditions of each plot during each sampling. Each row represents a single tray placed in one experimental plot for 1 of the sample nights.
Here is a description of each column:
MonthYear: The month and year for the sample
SamplingPeriod: each sample month we conducted a 4 night sampling session. This column specifies which night the row comes from within the 4 nights of sampling during that particular month.
PlotNumber: the plot ID number
SampleMonth: the month
Year: the year
TrayID: specific tray number placed in that plot
InitialSeedWght(g): initial weight of seeds put into the tray prior to sampling
InitialCount: Initial seed count based on the weight having been callibrated each sampling session with the specific batch of seeds.
FinalCount: The count of fully intact seeds
Eaten: Initial count - final count = the total seeds consumed by rodents
Tracks: yes/no for if animal tracks were in the tray when collected
TrackType: specifies type of tracks observed if any
SeedsChewed: yes/no for if there was visual evidence of seeds having been chewed by rodents
Scat/Pee: NA if none, otherwise specifies the species for which scat and pee was found in the trays
notes: general notes from sampling night
PlotTreatment: A = "ambient" or control plot with no cogongrass, And AC = "ambient cogon" or cogongrass invaded plot
RowNumber: row number from which the plot is from
EdgeOrCore: specifies if the plot was found on the edge of core of the experiment
Lat: latitude
Long: Longitude
LowCover: % vegetation cover less than 100cm tall and taller than 10cm tall
TallCover: % vegetation cover taller than 100cm tall
Bare: % area that had no vegetation cover taller than 10cm
TotalCover: total area with cover greater than 10cm tall
AverageSky: average nightly cloud cover score based on a 1-5 score specified in the methods
SumSkyScore: nightly sum of cloud cover score
RemainingSeeds: total intact seeds remaining in each tray
Funding provided by: USDA/NIFA McIntire-Stennis program*
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: FLA-AGR-005772
Funding provided by: Florida Forest Service*
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number:
Funding provided by: Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at UF*
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number:
Funding provided by: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011508
Award Number: 21942
Files
TrayDataAll.csv
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Additional details
Related works
- Is derived from
- 10.5281/zenodo.6502167 (DOI)
- Is source of
- 10.5281/zenodo.6502249 (DOI)