Protocols

Point pattern analysis using Ripley's K function to test for clustering, randomness, or regularity in tree spatial distributions by comparing observed patterns to simulated random distributions.

Paired decibel measurements near and far from road using smartphone applications during vehicle passage events. Traffic volume also quantified by timing vehicle passage through marked road sections.

Used 120-cm modified-Robel pole from 4-meter distance at 1-meter height to measure vegetation density around nests at four cardinal directions. Recorded lowest height at which nest area was visible.

Standardized preparation of rock samples for weathering experiments including crushing to uniform size, ultrasonication cleaning to remove fines, and oven drying. Designed to expose fresh surface area...

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...

A distributed network of six ground-based aerosol measurement stations spanning elevational gradients in mountainous terrain to characterize spatiotemporal variability in atmospheric particles. Each s...

PCR-based genotyping to identify sex chromosome haplotypes in the sex-determining region (SDR) of Fragaria virginiana, distinguishing between alpha, beta, and gamma variants.

Mica sheets are placed over thin sections, irradiated in a nuclear reactor, and examined under microscopy to identify areas of elevated uranium concentration through fission track density patterns. Th...

A novel method that combines FT-IR and bulk carbon XAS spectroscopy results using a linear mass balance model constrained by elemental analysis to quantify the abundance of seven SOC functional groups...

Novel application of hierarchical k-means clustering to cumulative distribution curves of Standard Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index to identify climate zones. Uses temporal segmentation to detec...

Bayesian clustering analysis using STRUCTURE software to infer population structure and individual ancestry coefficients (Q values) from multilocus genotype data, incorporating reference populations t...

Rigorous matching protocol for satellite and ground-based observations accounting for viewing geometry effects. Applies parallax correction to compensate for apparent cloud displacement and uses stric...

Quantifies temporal overlap in flowering periods between species pairs using Schoener's index, where values approach 1 when flowering curves coincide and approach 0 when they don't overlap.

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.

Assessment of belowground seed bank viability and abundance through controlled greenhouse germination trials. Seeds collected from natural populations and tested under standardized conditions followin...

Common garden experiment manipulating soil microbial communities through sterilization vs. inoculation to test effects on seed germination success and timing under controlled environmental conditions.

Calculation of Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index for each site to determine differences in species richness and relative abundance, using relative cover as the abundance metric.

Uses Advanced Land Observing Satellite-1 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar data with Short Baseline Subset processing to detect and quantify very slow landslide movements over multi-year period...

Individual plants are marked and tracked over 1-2 growing seasons to quantify herbivore damage, plant growth parameters, and reproductive output through seed counting. Environmental variables affectin...

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

Novel analytical framework incorporating individual size variation into niche overlap calculations to predict potential for competition versus intraguild predation between species pairs.

Simulation experiment using skew-normal density distributions to quantify the potential impact of skewness differences on species overlap. Parameter space is systematically explored to find maximum po...

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

Installation of marked PVC pipe stakes to visually monitor snow depth changes and provide reference points for fabric anchoring during snowmelt manipulation experiments.

Weekly photography from fixed viewpoints to map snowmelt progression and delineate zones with different snow-free periods. Contours drawn on detailed maps to define study zones.

Classification of drought years based on winter snowpack totals measured from November to April, with low snow years indicating subsequent summer drought conditions. Uses established relationship betw...

Long-term individual-based monitoring of unmanaged feral sheep population including annual fecundity and mass measurements. Combined with population census data and climatic indices.

A computational approach to test the stability of social network parameters by systematically removing increasing percentages of observational data and recalculating network measures to determine sens...

Laboratory leaching of soil and rock samples using artificial groundwater solutions to determine nitrogen and ion release potential. Samples are powdered and equilibrated with solution for chemical an...

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...

Modified phenol-chloroform extraction protocol optimized for soil samples using CTAB buffer and mechanical disruption for simultaneous DNA and RNA recovery.

Two-stage sieving protocol using 2000-micron and 500-micron mesh sieves to separate seeds and seed fragments from soil samples, followed by visual identification using herbarium resources.

Radiocarbon-based modeling of soil organic carbon transit times and system ages using three parallel pools (LF, OF, HF) with different turnover rates and petrogenic carbon corrections.

Complete digestion of rock and soil samples using HF/HNO₃ followed by ion exchange chromatography separation for rhenium analysis by mass spectrometry.

Laboratory experiment using interconnected bottle arrays to manipulate spatial heterogeneity in protist food webs and test effects on species coexistence.

Statistical analysis using Moran's I to detect spatial patterns in allele frequencies across distance classes. Calculates correlation coefficients for genetic similarity as a function of geographic di...

Systematic manipulation of invasive species spatial distribution patterns varying coverage, patch number, size, shape, and distances. Statistical analysis of resulting population responses using linea...

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

A three-step approach that combines regional occurrence data, species distribution modeling, and phenological filtering to create targeted candidate species lists for improved metabarcoding accuracy.

Validation of theoretical SAR predictions by fitting log-log regressions to existing state-level plant species count data across the continental United States.

A method to experimentally reduce trait variance in plant communities by measuring SLA of dominant individuals and selectively removing outliers beyond one standard deviation from the mean.

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

A technique to mark developing aquatic insect larvae by enriching their habitat with heavy nitrogen isotopes (15N), which becomes incorporated into larval tissues and persists through metamorphosis to...

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 ...

Standard plant histological protocol involving glutaraldehyde fixation, resin embedding, serial sectioning at 1.5 μm, and multiple staining techniques including toluidine blue for general structure an...

Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index calculated over 12-month water-year periods to quantify drought severity, incorporating both precipitation and temperature effects on water balance.

Visual estimation of D. geminata biomass using percent cover and stalk height measurements through glass-bottomed viewing box. Standing crop index calculated as cover × height and used as biomass prox...

Dynamic programming model incorporating energy balance, predation risk, and body condition to predict optimal hiding decisions across different demographic categories and environmental scenarios. Uses...