Reciprocal transplant germination experiment

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Method synopsis

Field experiment testing seed germination of different genotypes/treatments in natural microhabitats of related species to assess niche requirements and differentiation.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 4 papers using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Control of litter decomposition in a subalpine meadow-sagebrush steppe ecotone under climate change (2001), Ecological Applications. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

Collect litter bags for analysis
Litter bags were collected gently to remove surface debris, dried at 50°C, and brushed lightly to remove remaining debris. Masses of litter bag contents were measured after weighing. All samples were ground, milled, and analyzed for C and N content using Carlo Erba NA 1500 Nitrogen Analyzer.
Quantities: Two collection dates per year: early growing season and after snowmelt following springDuration: Drying at 50°CConditions: Gentle collection to avoid debris
Equipment: drying oven, balance, brush, grinder, mill, Carlo Erba NA 1500 Nitrogen Analyzer
Conduct reciprocal transplant experiment
In 1994, litter was collected from both heated and control plots and cross-incubated. Half of litter from each plot was placed in bags and returned to source plot, other half placed in bags and incubated in heated plots if from control plots, or control plots if from heated plots. Each bag contained 2 g litter.
Quantities: 2 g litter per bag, 8 replicate bags per species per source treatment per replicate per zone, total 1280 bagsDuration: One-year incubationConditions: Cross-incubation between heated and control plots
Equipment: litter bags