Protocols

Stop-flow and continuous-flow column testing using various influent waters (deionized water, site groundwater, local river water) on uranium-contaminated sediments to determine reactive transport para...

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.

Quantification of nestling begging intensity using scaled visual measures of mouth gape opening and postural display height from video recordings.

Statistical correction method to account for snow particle orientation effects when comparing slanted and vertical radar observations, derived from empirical offset analysis.

Computational pipeline using VirSorter2 and CheckV for viral sequence identification, followed by clustering into viral operational taxonomic units and taxonomic/host prediction.

Computer simulation modeling bird foraging behavior and responses to human pedestrian disturbance in a virtual park environment with manipulated detection distances, flight initiation distances, and p...

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...

Continuous measurement of specific differential phase (KDP) using slanted W-band polarimetric radar to detect signatures of dendritic growth and secondary ice production in snow. Radar operated at 40°...

WGCNA method to identify modules of coexpressed genes and relate them to phenotypic traits, specifically dispersal behavior in this study.

Statistical analysis using Wald test to identify taxa with significant abundance changes between treatment and control conditions, with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple testing.

Wald tests were used to correlate temporal changes in tundra vegetation response groups with summer temperature changes and environmental interaction terms. Multiple testing corrections were applied t...

Validates identified zones using independent datasets of watershed functions including drought sensitivity derived from satellite NDVI timeseries and nitrogen export from streamflow chemistry. Tests w...

Collection of synchronized climate measurements (temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, solar radiation) from weather stations corresponding to butterfly observation periods for correlation analy...

Collection and analysis of daily temperature data to calculate deviations from long-term averages. Multi-year averages are computed and compared to daily values to quantify temperature anomalies.

Regular weekly surveys to document presence or absence of target species (both plants and animals) across multiple sites and years. Used for detecting broad phenological patterns with lower temporal r...

Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis adapted for methylation data to identify co-methylated CpG modules and their associations with phenotypic traits.

Calculation of community-weighted mean proboscis lengths for plant visitors using historical morphological data combined with observed visitation frequencies.

Two-sample Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test used for comparing floral traits between sites and treatments when data failed normality tests.

Field collection of Ligusticum porteri roots followed by methanol extraction and HPLC-UV analysis to quantify five secondary metabolites. Method adapted from previously published work by Rivero et al....

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

A standardized 1-5 scale classification system for assessing the physiological condition and damage level of willow branches containing sapsucker sap wells, ranging from fresh wells on healthy branche...

Custom wind tunnel apparatus used to launch seeds at focal plants under controlled wind conditions to measure physical seed trapping rates. Seeds launched individually at 5 m/s wind speed from 15 cm d...

Visual assessment of butterfly age using wing condition on a standardized 1-5 scale with 0.5 gradations, from fresh (1) to heavily worn (5).

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

Principal component analysis of bioclimatic variables from WorldClim database to derive environmental predictors for population comparisons.

Extraction of climatic and vegetation variables from online databases including WorldClim2 for temperature and precipitation data and MODIS for vegetation indices. Includes calculation of derived metr...

Combined XANES fitting and Simplex Volume Maximization analysis to identify and quantify redox microsites while eliminating false positives.

A meditation-based approach to scientific observation that combines mindful awareness with systematic questioning to develop scientific inquiry skills. Students observe nature without preconceived goa...

Modified acetyl bromide procedure to determine acid-insoluble carbon fraction (lignin) in plant litter samples for calculating litter quality indices.

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.

Systematic mapping of glacial landforms using aerial photographs corrected for distortion and plotted on controlled base maps. Used to identify and map terminal moraines, glacial striae, and associate...

Filtration, drying, and combustion protocol to determine ash-free dry mass of suspended organic matter in water samples.

Analysis of citation patterns over time using Web of Science database to track influence and impact of Janzen's 1967 article through April 2017.

Application of circular statistics to analyze year-round flowering patterns, converting flowering dates to radians and using circular mixed-effects models to test for temporal changes in phenology.

Artificial prey made from green modeling clay are deployed on tree branches to estimate bird attack rates over a standardized time period. Attack marks on clay allow identification of predator type an...

Population genetic simulations using coalescent theory to test whether observed allele frequency similarities between species are compatible with neutral genetic drift versus natural selection.

Cold stratification protocol for hemiparasite seeds followed by controlled germination under standardized temperature and photoperiod conditions. Includes seedling selection at specific developmental ...

Extension of the Lande-Arnold selection analysis using partial regression to partition selection among individual and group social phenotypes. This method scales phenotypic levels and partitions selec...

Measurement of forest canopy openness using densiometer readings in four cardinal directions from plot center, averaged and corrected to obtain percent overhead area not occupied by canopy.

Serial dilution of sonicated material samples plated on agar with selective media to enumerate and characterize fungal morphotypes while inhibiting bacterial growth.

Injection of fluorescein dye to validate groundwater discharge locations and quantify gross groundwater input along stream reaches identified through thermal imagery.

Use existing citizen science bird observation data from eBird database to characterize bird abundance and diversity patterns across environmental gradients. Data is filtered for quality and geographic...

In vitro analysis of purified enzyme variants to determine catalytic activity differences caused by amino acid polymorphisms. Direct measurement of protein function underlying ecological phenotypes.

Flow injection chemiluminescence method for hydrogen peroxide quantification using FeLume system with acridinium ester reagent. Sensitive detection method for low-concentration H₂O₂ in natural waters.

Statistical analysis using GLMMs with nested random effects to account for non-independence of flowers within plants within sites, testing effects of pollen loads on carpel abortion and seed productio...

Selection analysis using Aster models to account for individuals dying before trait expression (invisible fraction). Links family-level trait data with fitness components across multiple life history ...

Three-dimensional protein structure prediction using homology modeling to assess the structural impacts of amino acid polymorphisms on PEPCK protein structure and bonding interactions.

Two-part statistical model using Bayesian methods to analyze both presence/absence and amount of damage, accounting for zero-inflation in damage data.

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...