Post harvest mineral soil sampling (needs scheduling, but first trip of summer)
Mineral soil needs sampling in the eight cutover plots. Probably 0 to 35 cm (upper three layers) for archival collection and comprehensive chemical analysis. All 16 plots were sampled in 2005 to 60-cm, so all uncut plots do not require resampling, though probably one or two uncut plots could be sampled to compare with 2005 analysis, perhaps as part of the Dale-Johnson suggested seasonality study???
Use this trip to scope coarse root sampling methods.
Sampling should be completed spring 2007 while soils are still moist. Three person team could complete eight plots in three days or less.
molecular archive!
Hi K -- I've done some sampling of soils pre-and post harvest at the calhoun. It's fungi-centric, so I've sampled o-horizon and 0-7.5cm mineral soil only. We've sampled once pre-cut and about every 3 months after, in both cut and uncut plots each time.
A word on protocols -- I'm not sure what analysis to perform (or that I can afford) but I'm trying to get high quality DNA in storage. My approach is to extract with MoBio's latest kit, then add TE buffer to the extract and freeze to -20 C. I'm not sure the total shelf life, but I'm having good results with 3 year old samples.
You hit the nail on the head -- ARCHIVE when you can. I hope you can sample the hell out of FACE and get that DNA stored away. What's the goal?
Archiving DNA, for me, one of the punchlines of our long term soil meeting in december...
jj
PS--Getting any sleep these days? ;)
Meg's hatchet throwing
Yea, where's a photo of Meg's hatchet? Dan
Meg usually has drunk past
Meg usually has drunk past her peak hatchet performance, got mad and quit by the time the camera comes out... Patience and persistence are not my strongest attributes...
molecular archive?
Wow, this these are exciting times at the Calhoun. Is anyone (JJ)archiving DNA?? We are just starting to think about this for the FACE harvests. Wondering what's the good word on protocol & how long the samples will last.
Kirsten
PS Where are the pics of Meg throwing hatchets?