Separating and Drying

1. Plant species are separated as specified by the Aboveground Net Primary Productivity Protocol.
2. Fresh plant samples are dried in sharpie-labeled paper bags or coin envelopes at 60C for at least 48 hours.
3. Dried plant material is weighed.

Grinding

1. Dried, weighed plant material is ground through a 1mm screen using a Christy-Turner 8” Lab mill.
2. Grain, stover, and weeds from annual treatments are each ground separately.
3. In mixed species treatments (LTER – T7, T8, TSF; GLBRC – G7, G9, G10), the top three dominant species by plot are ground and archived separately.

Archiving

1. One (or two, depending on storage space and future needs) archive jar (see VWR part# below) is filled with ground plant material for each separated species or pooled species.
2. Once filled and capped, archive jars are stored in boxes of 24 arranged in numerical order by treatment. Two boxes fit into each drawer of a storage cabinet (see Lane Science Equipment Corp below).
3. Cabinets are housed in the plant archive room of the LTER Field lab. This room is heated and air-conditioned, and includes a FM200 Fire Suppression system.

Ordering Information

• VWR part# 16151-408 4oz Clear French Square Qorpak jars with teflon-lined caps. Case of 24.
• Lane Science Equipment Corp. Item#1A-R Herbarium Cabinet and #1216 Removable Shelf Drawer. www.lanescience.com/botany.htm