Factorial field experiment

Knowledge graph centered on Factorial field experiment with 74 nodes and 182 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Barbey's Larkspur, Nuttall's Larkspur, Larkspurs.

Method synopsis

Factorial experiment crossing nitrogen addition treatments with dominant species removal treatments in replicated plots to test community responses to multiple global change drivers. Includes both selective removal of dominant species and random biomass removal controls.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 18 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 — Context dependence of warming induced shifts in montane soil microbial functions (2024), Functional Ecology. The protocol was originally introduced by Compensatory responses to loss of warming-sensitive plant species (2007), Ecology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Establish experimental plots
   Eight treatment plots of 2×2 m each were established at both high elevation (3460m) and low elevation (2740m) sites, with treatments replicated eight times for a total of 32 plots at each elevation. Plots were arranged with warming imposed via transparent hexagonal open-top chambers.
   Quantities: 32 plots per elevation (64 total), each 2×2 m in size, 8 replicates per treatmentDuration: Treatments deployed each summer since 2013Conditions: Summer growing season (June-August)
   Equipment: transparent hexagonal open-top chambers, clipping tools
2. Apply dominant species removal
   Dominant plant species (Wyethia amplexicaulis at low site, Juncus drummondii at high site) were removed by clipping at soil level within removal plots. Treatments were implemented 1 week after warming chambers were installed.
   Quantities: Dominant species in designated removal plotsDuration: Applied once at beginning of growing seasonConditions: Applied after snowmelt and chamber installation
   Equipment: clipping tools

Typical Equipment

• plot markers
• urea
• ammonium nitrate
• glyphosate herbicide
• paintbrush
• clippers

Output Measurements

• species composition
• community structure
• ecosystem function

Papers Using This Protocol (18)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used