The dataset contains Esherichia coli and quantitative polymerase chain reaction data for microbial source tracking markers in the Chattahoochee River and streams within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area from samples collected in the winter and summer of the federal fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Six water samples were collected from three sites on the Chattahoochee River each season. Eleven stream sites and one additional site on the Chattahoochee River were sampled once each season, with the exception of two sites, which were not sampled in winter FY16.

Surface water samples (n = 33) were collected in fall of 2023 at stream sites in Scott County Iowa, USA and were analyzed for microbial source tracking markers by quantitative polymerase chain reaction at the Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment (LIDE). Microbial source tracking markers identify fecal sources of contamination by detecting microbes that are specific to certain animals. Cooperators include Partners of Scott County Watersheds, Prairie Rivers of Iowa, and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service.

The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating sources of fecal bacteria in streams in the Grand Valley of western Colorado by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction microbial source tracking (MST) markers. The CowM2 MST marker was not detected in water-quality samples collected in 2022, which raised questions about the use of the marker for investigations in western Colorado. The presence or absence of bacteria associated with MST markers can be affected by geographic location, animal health, and diet. Known-source cattle fecal samples were collected in the Grand Valley to determine the presence or absence of the CowM2 marker in the feces of local cattle. A total of five samples were collected, representing herds grazing on public lands and local farms.

Plant data were collected on 16, 1-ha experimental blocks in C3 and Marsh Creek units of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 2006-2010. The percent cover of each plant taxon, moss as a group, and open area was recorded sing a modified line-intercept method for each of 25 sampling points within a block. Sampling points were equidistantly spaced, with 5 points spaced 25 m apart along each of 5 transects also spaced 25 m apart within each sampling block. Within each unit, we selected 4 pairs of blocks representing sedge-shrub habitat, with one of the pair assigned to spring burning (C3, May 2008) or summer burning (Marsh Creek, 2007 and 2008). This before-after-control-impact design provided for data collection two growing seasons before the burn (2006, all 16 blocks; 2007, 15 blocks) and two-three growing seasons (2008, 2009, and 2010; 14 blocks) after burning; the unburned plot of each pair served as the control, and the burned plot of each pair the treatment. Taxa were identified to species where possible,but some taxa were identified only to genus, and some species were merged for analyses because of challenges separating similar species. These data were used in conjunction with environmental data within each block to examine the effects burning on the plant community.

Plant cover data were collected on 16, 1-ha experimental blocks in C3 and Marsh Creek units of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 2006-2010. Within each unit, we selected 4 pairs of blocks representing sedge-shrub habitat, with one of the pair assigned to spring burning (C3, May 2008) or summer burning (Marsh Creek, 2007 and 2008). This before-after-control-impact design provided for data collection two growing seasons before the burn (2006, 16 blocks; 2007, 15 blocks) and two-three growing seasons (2008, 2009, and 2010; 13 blocks) after burning; the unburned plot of each pair served as the control, and the burned plot of each pair the treatment. This table provides calculated measures of species richness, Shannon Diversity Index (H), and scores for non-metric multidimensional scaling (3 axes), by treatment, site, and year. These metrics were not calculated for the 2 blocks in C3 dropped from data collection after 2007, or for the one Marsh Creek block burned in 2007 (hence just 13 blocks represented here). Raw data from which these metrics were described in Plant_Taxa_Metadata2.xml.

Timeseries data from 'MCCORMICK CREEK AT MOUTH NEAR KEY LARGO, FL (USGS 251003080435500)' (gov_usgs_nwis_251003080435500)

The dataset includes Escherichia coli concentrations collected by Isleta Pueblo in the Middle Rio Grande in Albuquerque, NM, from 2017 to 2020. These data were pulled from National Water Quality Monitoring Council, 2021, Water Quality Portal, accessed December 5, 2021, at https://www.waterqualitydata.us.

This dataset describes site location information for samples collected within the western National Parks, USA, (Arches National Park (NP), Bryce Canyon NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Dinosaur National Monument (NM), Hovenweep NM, Timpanogos Cave NM, and Zion NP) for water chemistry analyses. Water-quality and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for contaminants of emerging concern at the National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, Colorado, and Region 8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Additionally, quality assurance and quality control results are summarized.

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides phytoplankton data collected from Bushy Park Reservoir, South Carolina, from September 2013 to April 2015. The digital dataset includes samples collected at 1 to 7 locations on Bushy Park Reservoir sites. Phytoplankton were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and abundance (density) and biovolume are reported.

In association with plant cover data, data on litter depth, water depth, and graminoid height were collected on 16, 1-ha experimental blocks in C3 and Marsh Creek units of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 2006-2010. Within each unit, we selected 4 pairs of blocks representing sedge-shrub habitat, with one of the pair assigned to spring burning (C3, May 2008) or summer burning (Marsh Creek, 2007 and 2008). This before-after-control-impact design provided for data collection two growing seasons before the burn (2006, 16 blocks; 2007, 15 blocks) and two-three growing seasons (2008, 2009, and 2010; 14 blocks) after burning; the unburned plot of each pair served as the control, and the burned plot of each pair the treatment. Within each block, 25 points were established equidistant (25 m) from one another, 5 each along 5 transects. Data were collected at along a 2-m ruler set out at each points. The ruler was marked into 40 5-cm segments; these data were recorded only at the each fifth segment (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40) as a single measure (not averaging accross the 5 segments). This table provides unsummarized data. Associated plant cover data are in Seney_ExpFireStudy_Plant_Taxa_Cover_data.csv.