Our primary study area consists of 5 plots on hilly tundra about a 10 minute walk from camp. Because Toolik Field Station is a long-term research site, we need to minimize our impact on the land by walking on boardwalks to the site.
Each of the 5 study plots consists of 6 mesocosms. Our mesocosms are essentially 1.5 meter wide circles of aluminum roof flashing that are buried several inches into the soil. The purpose of the mesocosms is to contain the spiders and other parts of the tundra ecosystem in separate settings so that we can control variables we are interested in, such as the number of spiders or temperature.
Each mesocosm contains 3 pitfall traps for catching spiders and their prey, 3 litter bags for studying decomposition rates, 2 soil nutrient probes on both sides of each litter bag, and a temperature sensor. We also measured and recorded the soil temperature and moisture in the soil where each litter bag was placed.
It was a fun day working in the field!
Date
Location
Toolik Field Station, Alaska
Expedition
Weather Summary
Mostly Sunny
Temperature
50
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