1.1.1 What to measure and report and why?A basic site description for an experimental or observational site includes the location where the study was performed and under what biotic and abiotic conditions. The documentation of the basic characteristics of the system and correct reporting of the basic data facilitates and…
1.2 Geographical location and basic site description
1.2.1 History Ecosystem history, which includes historical soil and land management (i.e. disturbance, grazing, harvests or harvest regime, nutrient input and contamination, species introductions or extinctions) gives crucial information as any such changes may have a knock-on effect on a range of responses (Sala et al., 2000; Kepfer-Rojas et al.,…
1.3 Soil type and physical characteristics
Soils are physically composed of mineral and organic particles in varying sizes. The combined particles form the soil matrix that shapes the structure and pore spaces of soil. In turn, soil physical properties determine many key soil processes from soil water-holding capacity to cation exchange capacity that affect other life…
1.4 Soil chemistry and nutrient availability
The focus in terrestrial ecology is typically on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), and to a lesser extent on phosphorus (P). But other nutrients such as potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and zinc (Zn) can limit plant growth and influence ecosystem behaviour when in short supply (see e.g. Sardans…
1.5 Meteorological measurements
Weather includes abiotic factors that impact the functioning of an ecosystem. Meteorological databases can provide fundamental information for climatological and climate-change studies. These observations can be taken manually (weather observer), in automated mode (data-logging system applications or weather station data), or in a hybrid scheme where weather observer efforts are…
1.6 Open science practice, reproducible workflow, and data management
Many ecological questions nowadays are related to complex drivers and mechanisms on large spatial and temporal scales which increasingly demands collaborations (i.e. research networks), handling of large datasets, and data sharing. For this, the study design, data analysis, and results need to be correctly and comprehensively reported, which are surprisingly…