Protocols

Collection of plant specimens from field sites followed by proper labeling and preparation for herbarium storage to create reference collections for taxonomic study.

Hierarchical sampling design with nested random effects (site, plot, tree, branch) to assess intraspecific trait variation while accounting for clonal structure. Multiple leaves collected per branch t...

Frequent collection and ICP-MS analysis of river water samples to detect thorium concentration excursions as indicators of bedrock fracture processes. Samples collected up to daily frequency and analy...

Four-minute point counts within 100m radius to quantify instantaneous and prolonged human activity including people, dogs, vehicles, and infrastructure. Provides measure of human disturbance pressure ...

Regular collection and analysis of stream water samples for dissolved rhenium concentrations using weekly manual sampling or automated systems with ICP-MS analysis.

Modified bucket system for continuous collection of snowmelt with drainage and sampling capabilities, based on Kormos (2005) design for tracking temporal evolution of snowmelt isotopic composition.

Systematic excavation of limestone cave deposits containing mammalian fossils spanning the late Quaternary. Involves stratigraphic excavation in controlled levels with radiocarbon dating for chronolog...

Weekly sampling and counting of rhizobial nodules on marked legume individuals to track mutualistic interactions over time. Includes root collection, laboratory processing, and nodule enumeration.

Systematic compilation of acoustic parameters for rodent alarm calls from published sources, focusing on maximum and minimum frequencies and bandwidth measurements from adult male individuals.

Repeated capture and measurement of individually marked wild mammals over multiple years to quantify measurement error and individual variation in hind-foot length. Uses species-appropriate trapping m...

Collection of fecal samples from wild yellow-bellied marmots during summer active seasons for bacterial community analysis.

Systematic search of conifer forest patches to locate and classify red squirrel middens as active or abandoned, using midden presence as a proxy for squirrel population density.

Captures dippers using mist nets across streams and applies unique color band combinations plus USGS metal bands for individual identification.

Integration of body mass data from multiple databases (Hayssen 2008, PANTHERIA) with habitat classification data from IUCN Red List to create a comprehensive dataset linking morphology and ecology.

Comprehensive arthropod sampling using wide range of collection methods from soil to forest canopy to capture taxonomic breadth of Arthropoda.

Standardized collection of wet and dry atmospheric deposition samples using NADP Aerochem Metrics collectors to quantify microplastic fallout in remote areas.

Comparative study design using seven pairs of geographically close but phenologically different plant populations to test adaptation to flowering time. Sites within pairs were closer to each other tha...

Systematic collection of soil samples from paired invaded and uninvaded plots to compare soil properties and microbial communities affected by plant invasion history.

Sampling timing synchronized across continental scale using tree swallow breeding phenology with three key periods: egg laying, hatching, and nestling development. Regression model used to predict tim...

All host plants in the study area were GPS-mapped and converted to a raster grid system to quantify plant community structure and host availability across different habitat types.

Standard ecological method for estimating local plant density by measuring distances to nearest individuals in four compass quadrants from a central point.

Systematic sampling method using point-intercept technique to measure plant species diversity and calculate PIE diversity index in experimental plots.

Annual censuses tracking individual plants through life stages and post-fire habitat succession states to quantify fire-adapted demographic processes.

Regular sampling and counting of protist populations in microcosm bottles using Lugol's fixation and microscopic identification.

Standardized sampling of sedge using subdivided quadrats with random selection of sampling locations within each quadrat to ensure unbiased collection.

A method for randomly selecting individual willow shrubs using numbered grid overlays on Google Maps with random number generators to select coordinate points, followed by compass-based selection when...

Anoxic porewater collection using Rhizon samplers at 130-180 cm depth with immediate filtration through multiple membrane sizes under N2-purged conditions to preserve redox state of Fe-bearing colloid...

Collection of algal material by scrubbing softball-sized rocks into a pan for subsequent analysis of biomass, nutrients, and community composition.

Systematic survey of pocket gopher soil disturbances (eskers, mounds) along standardized transects using rolatape measuring wheels with perpendicular PVC pipe to standardize observation width. Each di...

Systematic collection of soil samples across seasonal transitions in a mountainous watershed to capture viral community dynamics during snowmelt and plant phenological changes.

Collection of sediment cores using slide hammer or bucket auger, followed by sieving, grinding, and geochemical analysis including iron oxide extraction.

Collection and measurement of copulating pairs compared to random samples from the same swarms to test for size-based mate selection patterns.

Use of slingshots to collect fresh leaf material from tree canopies for downstream genetic analysis. Enables non-destructive sampling from tall trees.

Systematic collection of soil cores from three depth horizons in experimental warming plots using backhoe-excavated trenches. Cores collected horizontally into plots from trench walls due to rocky soi...

Comprehensive mapping of all V. edulis individuals within study neighborhoods with sex determination, flower counts, and seed production measurements to assess pollination success

Systematic deployment of adhesive spore traps at standardized distances and directions around infected plants to quantify spore dispersal patterns and relate to environmental conditions.

Standard protocol for collecting freshwater diatoms from various substrates, cleaning with acids to remove organic matter, and mounting for microscopic examination. Includes both light microscopy and ...

Targeted survey sampling approach visiting public facilities and community organizations to ensure representative demographic sampling, with specific targeting of lower-income residents and bilingual ...

Stratified random sampling approach that categorizes trees by canopy volume and neighborhood density using kernel density estimation, then randomly selects representatives from each stratum.

Qualitative mapping of plant patches along stream channels and associated wetland areas. Patches are grouped into plots and characterized by density and extent relative to stream features and landscap...

Targeted collection of fossil insects and fish from finely laminated limestone beds to determine paleoenvironmental conditions and biotic associations. Focus on well-preserved specimens that can provi...

Field survey of Tragopogon populations across elevation gradient with morphological measurements and cluster analysis to classify individuals into species and hybrid categories. Uses multiple morpholo...

Standardized vacuum collection of insects from vegetation using one-minute timed sweeps in uniform patterns within defined quadrats. Specimens immediately preserved for identification and analysis.

All vascular plant species in plots were collected, pressed, and identified using standard field guides. This generated complete species lists for each plot size at each site.

Complete documentation of vascular plant diversity across an alpine site with voucher specimen collection for taxonomic verification. Provides baseline biodiversity data for high-elevation plant commu...

Collection of wild host plants and herbivorous insects from contrasting natural habitat types for controlled laboratory experiments.

Standardized random sampling technique for measuring substrate particle size distribution by selecting pebbles under the sampler's toe while walking systematic transects.

Standard butterfly collection using aerial nets across multiple sites and sampling periods. Specimens either preserved whole in ethanol or sampled via wing clips before release.

Large-scale collection and phenotypic scoring of digitized herbarium specimens from multiple online databases to characterize geographic patterns in plant sexual systems. Includes sex determination fr...

Color-marking of individual males with permanent markers and subsequent recapture to estimate survival and return rates to mating swarms.