Split-plot snowmelt and precipitation manipulation experiment

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Method synopsis

A factorial field experiment manipulating snowmelt timing using black shade cloth and summer precipitation using rainout shelters in a split-plot design to simulate climate change effects.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 23 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Natural selection on floral volatiles and other traits can change with snowmelt timing and summer precipitation (2025), New Phytologist. The protocol was originally introduced by The effects of phenology on <i>Delphinium nuttallianum</i> (2011). Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Establish experimental plots
   Split whole 7 m × 7 m plots into four 2 m × 2 m subplots with buffer around subplots. Each subplot received different levels of summer precipitation: 200% normal water addition, 50% reduction with rainout shelter, mock rainout with only shelter structure, or unmanipulated control.
   Quantities: Multiple 7 m × 7 m plots split into four 2 m × 2 m subplots eachDuration: Established for 3-year study period 2018-2020Conditions: Subalpine meadow at 2880 m elevation
   Equipment: black shade cloth, rainout shelter, mock shelter structure
2. Manipulate snowmelt timing
   Apply black shade cloth to three 7 m × 7 m plots to accelerate snowmelt, leaving three other plots unmanipulated. Snowmelt manipulation accelerated date of snowmelt by 3-11 days (6 days on average). Snowmelt in control plots occurred on day 119 in 2018, 158 in 2019, and 126 in 2020.
   Quantities: 6 total plots (3 snowmelt manipulation, 3 control)Duration: Applied during spring snowmelt period each yearConditions: Applied before natural snowmelt completion
   Equipment: black shade cloth

Typical Equipment

• black shade cloth
• rainout shelter
• mock shelter structure

Output Measurements

• snowmelt date
• summer precipitation amount
• soil moisture

Papers Using This Protocol (23)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used