Using R and R Studio for munging (or cleaning up) diverse ecological datasets: Basic steps not learned in a class

The R programming language is a powerful tool for statistical analysis and data visualization. But even well-collected data needs significant cleaning (or munging) before it can be analyzed or synthesized with other datasets for ecological use, and R records each data munging step. Here are examples of hard-learned lessons for beginners: how to feel less intimidated by R (and R Studio) and use these programs for ecological data munging. Examples are from the US Geological Survey's Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON) mapping project, and are designed for cleaning and comparing large ecological datasets following Darwin Core metadata standards.