The Evolving Meta-Ecosystems (EVOME) team continues work both in the field and in the lab. In the field, small groups of researchers have been traveling along the Dalton Highway to visit the various research sites to continue installing dataloggers, set up field experiments, and collect data. Four researchers travelled to the southern and central sites to install dataloggers and insect sticky trap poles. This team also installed bags of willow leaf litter in streams to begin a study on litter decomposition. North site setups have been delayed by fresh snow, frozen ground, and high water levels. In the meantime, four researchers are processing the first round of samples from the litter decomposition experiment and preparing materials for water and soil sampling later in the season. Simultaneously, a team of three researchers, including one undergraduate student, traveled north from Fairbanks to Toolik, assessing bird populations at the southern study sites along their ascent. One researcher travelled north with a member of the EVOME Institute’s Advisory Board to show him five field sites and assess whether those sites had thawed enough to install data loggers and insect traps.
Down at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a lab team works to rear grayling fry. The fish, separated by family, are housed in tanks with a continuous drip of Artemia to feed them. Additionally, 910 willow cuttings have been planted outside on campus. The cuttings will be cared for in Fairbanks for one month while they establish roots, then transferred up to Toolik to be planted mid-July.
Calvin Frey and Andie Norton use a drill to dig into the frozen ground near Toolik Field Station to install insect sticky traps. Photo: Madeline Frey.
Harrison DuBois wades through Hershey Creek (HERS) to check if the anchor ice has melted enough to install equipment at the site. Photo: Madeline Frey.
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks grayling fry have been ponded to allow for continuous Artemia drip feeding and family separation. Photo: Matthew Zimmerman.
Andie Norton installs bags of leaf litter into South Middle Fork Fish Creek (FISH) for a nutrient cycling experiment. Photo: Madeline Frey.