Snow Depth Yearly Measurements at Toolik Station 1995-2001

Summary

This data set provides snow depth measurements in the study area at Toolik Station, Alaska, taken once yearly on May 2nd, for the years 1995 through 2001. Measurements were taken by hand using a steel tile probe and are given in centimeters. The study area is designed in 1.5 meter by 1.5 meter plots, 3 meters apart. 10 measurements were taken within each plot. Data are in table format in text files and are available via FTP.

TThe research project was funded by the Arctic System Sciences (ARCSS) Program, grant numbers OPP-9321626, OPP-9615845, and OPP-9907185.

Citing These Data:

Oberbauer, S.F. 2003. Snow Depth Yearly Measurements at Toolik Station 1995-2001. Boulder, CO: National Center for Atmospheric Research, ARCSS Data Archive.

Overview Table

Category	Description
Data format	One text file
Spatial coverage	68.38° N, 149.34° W
Temporal coverage and resolution	2 May, 1995 to 2001
File size	The one data file is 10 KB
Parameter(s)	Yearly snow depth, measured once per year

1. Contacts and Acknowledgments
2. Detailed Data Description
3. References and Related Publications
4. Document Information

1. Contacts and Acknowledgments:

Investigator(s) Name and Title:

Steven F. Oberbauer, Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Florida International University
Miami, FL, USA

2. Detailed Data Description:

Format:

Table in tab-delimited text format.

File Size:

The one data file is 10 KB.

Spatial Coverage:

60 plots were measured for snow depth in this coverage.

Southernmost Latitude: 68.38° N
Northernmost Latitude: 68.38° N
Westernmost Longitude: 149.34° W
Easternmost Longitude: 149.34° W

Temporal Coverage:

Measurements were collected each May 2nd from 1995 to 2001.

Parameter or Variable:

Parameter Description and Units of Measurement:

Snow depth was measured every year on May 2nd in control plots. Measurements were taken by hand using a steel tile probe and are given in centimeters. The study area is designed in 1.5 meter by 1.5 meter plots, 3 meters apart. 10 measurements were taken within each plot. Plots 1-30 represent plots initiated in 1995. Plots 36-60 represent plots initiated in 1997.

Sample Data Record:

Data are in a table that shows the date (yyyymmdd), latitude, longitude (negative numbers indicate west), plot number, and snow depth in centimeters.

19950502	68.38	-149.34	28	43.3
19950502	68.38	-149.34	29	35.2
19950502	68.38	-149.34	30	32
19960502	68.38	-149.34	1	64.5
19960502	68.38	-149.34	2	73
19960502	68.38	-149.34	3	?99

Error Sources:

Missing data indicated with ?99. In 1996 data were not collected on control plots of study plots initiated in 1995.

Quality Assessment:

The level of precision is 0.5 cm.

3. References and Related Publications:

The International Tundra Experiment, ITEX, was established in 1990 as a Man-And-the-Biosphere, Northern Sciences Network (MAB-NSN) initiative. Since then the program has grown rapidly and is today one of the most active international field programs in arctic ecology. The purpose of ITEX is to monitor the performance of plant species and communities on a circumpolar basis in undisturbed habitats with and without environmental manipulations. See http://www.systbot.gu.se/research/itex/itex.html for more information.