Biology, sediment chemistry, and groundwater chemistry sampling windows for all aquatic sites updated
April 6, 2026
Biology and sediment chemistry bout windows were recalculated using NEON’s discharge (DP4.00130.001) and air temperature (DP1.00002.001) data through the end of 2024 and MODIS data from 2001-2024 following the strategy outlined in Parker & Utz (2022) to create one-month sampling windows. Bout windows will be reassessed using NEON data on a five-year interval. The recalculated windows were effective beginning Jan. 2026 and apply to this year’s sampling.
Affected data products:
Aquatic plant, bryophyte, lichen, and macroalgae point counts in wadeable streams, DP1.20072.001
Aquatic plant bryophyte chemical properties, DP1.20063.001
Groundwater chemistry sampling windows for stream and river sites are also updated. Original windows were established using historical and/or proxy discharge data from nearby streams or watersheds. These windows have been reassessed using several years of actual NEON stream and groundwater data. New windows are defined around 25% and 75% (± 5%) of the averaged cumulative annual discharge for each specific site. The windows have been cross-referenced with groundwater elevation data from each site in order to minimize impractical sampling due to dry wells. The minimum sampling window is 21 days to allow for flexibility in NEON Field Science scheduling.
