In addition to thaw depth measurements and soil sampling which I have discussed previously, Christina and I also collect bags of roots that have been buried at each site. Several bags are filled with roots, buried at a single point, and then pulled out over consecutive years. These root bags help the scientists measure rates of decomposition in the soil giving them an additional data point as to how active the soil microbes are. The more active the microbes, the more they are eating, the more CO2 gas is released.
Fishing lines are connected to root bags below the ground.
Pulling a root bag out.
Normally finding the bags is a pretty easy task – we have GPS coordinates for the bag and they are also marked with a pink flag. Occasionally there are no coordinates or the pink flag has disappeared – not a huge problem when the space is open and the vegetation is low – but when we are in dense forest or high grasses it can be near impossible to find.
Difficult terrain for spotting root bags without GPS coordinates - can you find the flag?
Today was one of those days – high grasses, no GPS coordinates. I've developed a knack for finding the bags so Christina sent me out on the hunt. I slowly walked through the grasses, taking my time to pause and look closely – sending out some very unscientific psychic messages asking the root bag to pull me toward it – and just as I was about to give up I found one!
Can you see it now?
And then just as I was about to give up I found bag #2. Bag #3 came easy since I was finally onto their hiding game.
How about now?
It was nice to be able add something to the team today – it was good to know that my being there actually made a difference.
I tried to stomp down the grasses near the flag to make it easier for the next team to visit the site.
Comments
Add new comment