Title: Daily averaged weather timeseries (air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, sky cover) at Palmer Station, Antarctica combining manual observations (1989, Dec 12, 2003) and PALMOS automatic weather station measurements (Dec 13, 2003, March 2019).

Summary:
Daily averaged weather timeseries (air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, sky cover) at Palmer Station, Antarctica combining manual observations (1989 - Dec 12, 2003) and PALMOS automatic weather station measurements (Dec 13, 2003 - March 2019). Weather data acquisition was originally by manual observation and continued with an automated system installed in Nov 2001. Measurements began shifting from manual to automated observations in June 2003 until the manual observations were ended on December 12, 2003. Data are collected, compiled, and distributed by the US Antarctic polar contractor. Electronic distributed occurs monthly from Palmer station via internet and are available at University of Wisconsin weather archive: ftp://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/pub/palmer/climatology/.Weather data acquisition was originally by manual observation and continued with an automated system installed in Nov 2001. Measurements began shifting from manual to automated observations in June 2003 until the manual observations were ended on December 12, 2003. Data are collected, compiled, and distributed by the US Antarctic polar contractor. Electronic distributed occurs monthly from Palmer station via internet and are available at University of Wisconsin weather archive: ftp://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/pub/palmer/climatology/

cdm_data_type = TimeSeries
VARIABLES:
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
station_id
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
high_temperature (Air Temperature, degree_C)
low_temperature (degree_C)
avg_temperature (degree_C)
sea_surface_temperature (degree_C)
sea_ice
high_pressure (Air Pressure, mbar)
low_pressure (mbar)
avg_pressure (mbar)
peak_windspeed (Wind Speed, m s-1)
... (14 more variables)

Institution: National Science Foundation

Dataset ID: PalmerStationWeatherDailyAverages


Title: At-sea seabird censuses. Data on the species encountered (including marine mammals), their abundance, distribution and behavior. Data collected aboard cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Penninsula, 1993, 2018.

Summary:
At-sea seabird censuses. Data on the species encountered (including marine mammals), their abundance, distribution and behavior. Data collected aboard cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Penninsula, 1993 - 2018. The objectives of the LTER seabird component during the 92-93 season cruises were similar.  These objectives included 1) determining the  pelagic abundance and distribution of Adelie Penguins, 2) examining  how the physical and biological characteristics of the marine  environment influence these parameters and, 3) using these data to  identify foraging areas that may be important to Adelie populations  being studied as part of land-based  work at Palmer Station.   Secondary objectives included documenting the abundance and  distribution of other seabirds and marine mammals within the LTER  study area.  The focus of the January cruise was the nearshore foraging habitat, which required sampling at smaller scales.  All seabird censuses  were thus conducted within approximately 100 kms of Palmer Station  while traversing a sampling grid with stations at 10km intervals.   The first two days (18-20 January) of this cruise were spent covering  the selected grid as rapidly as possible resulting in 45 transects  spaced at 45-60 minute intervals.  There were no stops at the 10km  stations during this Fast Grid phase.  Upon completion of the Fast Grid,  a force 12 gale suspended data collection for 24 hours.  From  January 22-25 the grid direction was reversed and the grid repeated.   During this Slow Grid phase, 2-M net tows were done at 10km intervals  and BOPS and 1-M and 2-M net tows every 20 km.  All seabird censuses during the cruise were done using the procedures outlined in the previous paragraph.\n\nSeventy-two 30-minute transects and 15 station censuses were completed during the January cruise.  Athough seabirds were widely  distributed  throughout the  study  area,  the highest  densities and  greatest  biomass occurred consistently within 2-5 km of Anvers Island and  several major  island  groups to the south and \nwest  near  the  Antarctic Peninsula.   Adelie Penguins were the  dominant component of  this seabird  assemblage  in  terms of  both   abundance  and  biomass.  South Polar Skuas ranked second and Black-browed Albatross third, with the latter becoming the dominant assemblage member at distances greater than 10km from land.  Although  \nSouth Polar Skuas had been expected to occur in more pelagic  habitats, few were censused at distances greater than 10km from land.   The presence  of  both  skuas  and penguins  so close  to  land  was unexpected.  The  most  important  variable accounting for  variation  in  the distribution  and  abundance  of  seabirds  appeared  to  \nbe  the location  of  the 200m contour, which throughout the  study  area occurred 2-5km from the adjoining land masses.  Approximately 65% of the seabirds censused during this cruise (85% of the  biomass) occurred  in  association with this contour.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
... (25 more variables)

Dataset ID: BirdCensusStationarySummer


Title: At-sea seabird censuses. Data on the species encountered (including marine mammals), their abundance, distribution and behavior. Data collected aboard cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Penninsula, 1993, present.

Summary:
At-sea seabird censuses. Data on the species encountered (including marine mammals), their abundance, distribution and behavior. Data collected aboard cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Penninsula, 1993 - present. The objectives of the LTER seabird component during the 92-93 season cruises were similar.  These objectives included 1) determining the pelagic abundance and distribution of Adelie Penguins, 2) examining how the physical and biological characteristics of the marine environment influence these parameters and, 3) using these data to identify foraging areas that may be important to Adelie populations being studied as part of land-based  work at Palmer Station.  Secondary objectives included documenting the abundance and distribution of other seabirds and marine mammals within the LTER study area.  The focus of the January cruise was the nearshore foraging habitat,which required sampling at smaller scales.  All seabird censuses were thus conducted within approximately 100 kms of Palmer Station while traversing a sampling grid with stations at 10km intervals.  The first two days (18-20 January) of this cruise were spent covering the selected grid as rapidly as possible resulting in 45 transects spaced at 45-60 minute intervals.  There were no stops at the 10km stations during this Fast Grid phase.  Upon completion of the Fast Grid, a force 12 gale suspended data collection for 24 hours.  From January 22-25 the grid direction was reversed and the grid repeated.  During this Slow Grid phase, 2-M net tows were done at 10km intervals and BOPS and 1-M and 2-M net tows every 20 km.  All seabird censusesduring the cruise were done using the procedures outlined in theprevious paragraph.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
time (Date/Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
depth (m)
event
cruise_id
start_station
... (16 more variables)

Dataset ID: BirdCensusLogMovingSummer


Title: At-sea seabird censuses. Data on the species encountered (including marine mammals), their abundance, distribution and behavior. Data collected aboard cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Penninsula, 1993, 1999 and 2001.

Summary:
The objectives of the LTER seabird component during the 92-93 season cruises were similar.  These objectives included 1) determining the pelagic abundance and distribution of Adelie Penguins, 2) examining how the physical and biological characteristics of the marine environment influence these parameters and, 3) using these data to identify foraging areas that may be important to Adelie populations being studied as part of land-based  work at Palmer Station.  Secondary objectives included documenting the abundance and distribution of other seabirds and marine mammals within the LTER study area.  The focus of the January cruise was the nearshore foraging habitat,which required sampling at smaller scales.  All seabird censuses were thus conducted within approximately 100 kms of Palmer Station while traversing a sampling grid with stations at 10km intervals.  The first two days (18-20 January) of this cruise were spent covering the selected grid as rapidly as possible resulting in 45 transects spaced at 45-60 minute intervals.  There were no stops at the 10km stations during this Fast Grid phase.  Upon completion of the Fast Grid, a force 12 gale suspended data collection for 24 hours.  From January 22-25 the grid direction was reversed and the grid repeated.  During this Slow Grid phase, 2-M net tows were done at 10km intervals and BOPS and 1-M and 2-M net tows every 20 km.  All seabird censusesduring the cruise were done using the procedures outlined in theprevious paragraph.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
event
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
depth (m)
cruise_name
start_station
end_station
duration (minutes)
... (14 more variables)

Dataset ID: BirdCensusLogMovingWinter


Summary:
The objectives of the LTER seabird component during the 92-93 season cruises were similar.  These objectives included 1) determining the pelagic abundance and distribution of Adelie Penguins, 2) examining how the physical and biological characteristics of the marine environment influence these parameters and, 3) using these data to identify foraging areas that may be important to Adelie populations being studied as part of land-based  work at Palmer Station.  Secondary objectives included documenting the abundance and distribution of other seabirds and marine mammals within the LTER study area.  The focus of the January cruise was the nearshore foraging habitat,which required sampling at smaller scales.  All seabird censuses were thus conducted within approximately 100 kms of Palmer Station while traversing a sampling grid with stations at 10km intervals.  The first two days (18-20 January) of this cruise were spent covering the selected grid as rapidly as possible resulting in 45 transects spaced at 45-60 minute intervals.  There were no stops at the 10km stations during this Fast Grid phase.  Upon completion of the Fast Grid, a force 12 gale suspended data collection for 24 hours.  From January 22-25 the grid direction was reversed and the grid repeated.  During this Slow Grid phase, 2-M net tows were done at 10km intervals and BOPS and 1-M and 2-M net tows every 20 km.  All seabird censusesduring the cruise were done using the procedures outlined in theprevious paragraph.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
event
cruise_id
study_name (Study)
depth (m)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
station
grid_line (km)
grid_station (km)
sea_state
salinity (Sea Water Practical Salinity, 1)
... (14 more variables)

Dataset ID: BirdCensusStationaryWinter


Title: Zooplankton collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, aboard Palmer Station Antarctica LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 2009, 2019.

Summary:
Zooplankton collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, aboard Palmer Station Antarctica LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 2009 - 2019. Zooplankton are a morphologically and taxonomically diverse group of animals.  Many zooplankton feed on phytoplankton and thus provide a link between primary producers and higher trophic levels.  Zooplankton density and biovolume were determined at grid stations on the annual LTER cruises along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP).  Typically, zooplankton were collected with a 2x2 meter, 700um mesh net fitted with a flow meter and towed obliquely to 120m.  Zooplankton distributions vary spatially due to water column characteristics, which affect their predators' distributions.  As climate change continues to affect the WAP, the relative abundance of the various zooplankton components can also be expected to change.\n\n

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
depth (m)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
cruise_name
event
cruise_tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
tow_duration
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
wind_speed_start (Wind Speed, m s-1)
net_id
tow_type
... (90 more variables)

Dataset ID: ZooplanktonDensityCurrent


Title: Zooplankton collected aboard Palmer Station LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 1993, 2008.

Summary:
Zooplankton collected aboard Palmer Station LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 1993 - 2008. Samples were collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m. This dataset is the historical (1993 - 2008) counterpart to dataset #199, Zooplankton Density - Current. Together these two data sets comprise the full Palmer LTER zooplankton density time series. Please refer to the methods of each dataset for differences between the two.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
depth (m)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
cruise_tow_number
cruise_name
event
tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
tow_duration (minutes)
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
wind_speed_start (Wind Speed)
wind_direction (Wind From Direction, degrees)
net_id
tow_type
target_depth (Depth)
depth_max (Depth, meters)
volume_filtered (m3)
... (60 more variables)

Dataset ID: ZooplanktonDensityHistorical


Title: Length of Salpa thompsoni collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009, 2019.

Summary:
Length of Salpa thompsoni collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009 - 2019. Salps (Salpa thompsoni) are conspicuous gelatinous zooplankton capable of rapid population increases, enabling them to respond quickly to unpredictable phytoplankton blooms common in the Antarctic.  Body length was measured on salps collected from LTER zooplankton tows along the western Antarctic Peninsula.  Salps have amongst the highest filtration rates of all zooplankton, and package their waste into large, fast sinking fecal pellets.  These pellets provide a mechanism to export carbon fixed in the surface waters into the deep ocean.  Since filtration rates and pellet  size are positively related to the size of a salp, population estimates of grazing and exported carbon can be determined through length data.\n

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
cruise_tow_number
cruise_name
event
tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
tow_duration (minutes)
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
depth (m)
wind_speed (m s-1)
wind_direction (Wind To Direction, degrees)
... (7 more variables)

Dataset ID: StandardBodyLengthsSalpathompsoni


Title: Standard body length of Euphausia superba collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009, 2019.

Summary:
Standard body length of Euphausia superba collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009 - 2019. Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, are a critical food-web link between phytoplankton primary production and higher trophic levels, such as whales, penguins, and seals.  Krill standard length was measured from LTER zooplankton tows along the western Antarctic Peninsula.  Length data provides estimates of age-class abundance and recruitment.  Climate-induced changes in krill recruitment are an important consideration in the management and modelling of krill populations.\n

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
cruise_tow_number
cruise_name
event
tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
tow_duration (minutes)
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
depth (m)
wind_speed (m s-1)
wind_direction (Wind To Direction, degrees)
net_id
tow_type
... (5 more variables)

Dataset ID: StandardBodyLengthsESuperba


Title: Zooplankton collected with a 1.4 m2 frame, 500-µm mesh Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009-2017

Summary:
Zooplankton are a morphologically and taxonomically diverse group of animals. Many zooplankton feed on phytoplankton in surface waters and thus provide a link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. Other zooplankton reside in the mesopelagic zone and feed on detritus or on other animals. Depth-discrete density of zooplankton taxa was determined at process study stations on the annual Palmer LTER cruises along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Samples were collected with a 1.4-m2 frame, 500-μm mesh Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) towed obliquely to the surface from a depth of typically 500 m. MOCNESS tows were conducted in consecutive day-night pairs at each process study station. Zooplankton depth distributions vary between day and night as these animals conduct diel vertical migrations. Depth distributions also vary among zooplankton taxa based on species feeding ecology and life history traits. Zooplankton diel vertical migration contributes to the export of carbon and nutrients from the surface ocean to the mesopelagic zone.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
tow_start_datetime (MOCNESS start datetime, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
tow_end_datetime (MOCNESS end datetime, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (Net Lat Avg, degrees_north)
longitude (Net Lon Avg, degrees_east)
cruise_name
grid_line
grid_station
amphipoda
cacutus
chaetognatha
cpropinquus
ecrystal
gymnosomata
lhelicina
mgerlachei
ostracoda
... (28 more variables)

Institution: Rutgers University

Dataset ID: CruiseZooplanktonAbundance