Sampling Methods for E120


Vegetation Sampling

Percent cover of species within 4 permanently marked quadrats within each plot has been recorded annually in July from 1996 to 2000.

Aboveground biomass from each plot has been sampled by clipping narrow strips. The biomass has been sorted, dried, and weighed separately for each strip. Different areas of the plot have been sampled each year and the size of the clipped strips have periodically changed. See aboveground vegetation sampling for details on equipment and other field methods.

Beginning in 1997, root biomass is sampled after clipping by collecting three 5 cm diameter x 30 cm deep cores per clipped strip. Roots are washed free of soil, sorted from other organic material, dried and weighed. 

Soil Sampling

Soil cores have been taken within the plot  for analysis of available nitrogen. Additionally, cores have been taken for analysis of total nitrogen and carbon content.



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