RMBL Warming Meadow Soil Carbon Protocol (Brassicaceae)

Knowledge graph centered on RMBL Warming Meadow Soil Carbon Protocol (Brassicaceae) with 68 nodes and 142 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Marmota, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Barbey's Larkspur.

Method synopsis

Systematic sampling of soil fungal communities across vegetation disturbance gradients in subalpine meadows using replicated plot design with grid-based soil core collection.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 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 — Effects of an introduced mustard, Thlaspi arvense, on soil fungal communities in subalpine meadows (2022), Fungal Ecology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Establish study plots
   Established 54 0.25 m² study plots in six subalpine meadows where Thlaspi arvense was determined to be present, spanning about 400 m of elevation from ~2500-2900 m (T. arvense presence or absence was determined over the course of 20 minutes of searching). Set up 9 replicate 0.25 m² study plots (n = 3) in each meadow, separated by 2-5 m across three vegetation types/plot status: non-disturbed with dominant native vegetation (native), disturbed due to animal or human activity without T. arvense present (disturbed), and disturbed plots with T. arvense present (invaded).
   Quantities: 54 total plots (6 sites × 3 plot status × 3 replicates = 54 plots), 0.25 m² plot size, separated by 2-5 mDuration: 20 minutes of searching per site to determine T. arvense presence/absenceConditions: Subalpine meadows at ~2900 m elevation, elevation range ~2500-2900 m
   Equipment: measuring tools for plot establishment
2. Collect soil samples
   Soil samples were collected using a cylindrical corer (2 cm width × 10 cm depth). Nine samples were taken from each plot using a grid-design (8.3 cm apart) and were pooled together and homogenized into a single sample. Samples were kept on ice until returned to the laboratory where they were stored at 4°C.
   Quantities: Nine samples per plot, 2 cm width × 10 cm depth per sample, 8.3 cm spacing in grid patternDuration: Within 48 hours of collection for processingConditions: Samples kept on ice during transport, stored at 4°C
   Equipment: cylindrical corer (2 cm width × 10 cm depth)

Typical Equipment

• cylindrical corer
• sieves
• measuring tools

Output Measurements

• soil samples for molecular analysis
• vegetation composition data

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used