Data Request: All requests for Niobrara FDP data must be in writing to the Niobrara PI. Requests should include the name and institution of the principal investigator that is requesting data, the names and institutions of collaborating investigators, the topic and scope of the research, a timeline for the research, and the target publications. Prospective investigators should resubmit applications for each substantially different project.
Non-transferability: Access to Niobrara FDP data is granted only to the specific people requesting data only for the purpose originally requested and for the time period originally requested. Redistributing or sharing data with anyone not included on the application is not allowed. Some journals require that all source data be archived in a publicly available repository. We will only allow archiving of data at a journal website if we have already publicly released the data or under other conditions that must first be discussed with the Niobrara PI.
Citation: Publications using the Niobrara FDP data should include the citation to the plot-establishment paper (McNichol, B. H., Wang, R., Hefner, A., Helzer, C., McMahon, S. M., & Russo, S. E. (2024). Topography-driven microclimate gradients shape forest structure, diversity, and composition in a temperate refugial forest. Plant-Environment Interactions, 5, e10153. https://doi.org/10.1002/pei3.10153 ) and the data registry for Niobrara FDP data (Russo, Sabrina E. (2026). The Niobrara Forest Inventory Plot, Brown County, Nebraska, USA: Tree Inventory Data from Census 1 (2018-19) and Census 2 (2023) (Version 1) [Dataset]. University of Nebraska–Lincoln. https://doi.org/10.71964/141 ).
Copies of articles: Prior to submission, manuscripts and reports should be sent to the Niobrara PI for review. Once published, copies of all publications and reports should be sent to the Niobrara PI. The Niobrara PI reserves the right to be included as a co-author on publications or presentations produced from research conducted in the Niobrara FDP or using Niobrara FDP data.
Limitation of Use: We welcome proposals to collect new data within the Niobrara FDP. The Niobrara PI and the Director of the Niobrara Valley Preserve must approve any fieldwork. Destructive sampling and manipulative research is not allowed within the Niobrara FDP, except on dead trees.
Acknowledgements: Publications should include an acknowledgement of the support of Jacqueline B. Mars, the Smithsonian ForestGEO program, a University of Nebraska – Lincoln Faculty Seed Grant, the US Department of Agriculture McIntire-Stennis Forest Capacity program, and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Center for Plant Science Innovation.