CrustNet Effort Calculator

Pick tiers and options using the checkboxes below. The calculator reports how these options will affect your participation and field effort level in CrustNet. This calculator should reflect the protocol, but in case of differences, defer to the protocol. Field time estimates are best guesses based on past sampling, but may vary by site and group. In addition to field time, participation in CrustNet will also include time for planning, site permitting, materials collection, and post-sampling data submission and sample shipping.

Tier 1 (one-time survey) mandatory

Tier 1 — 10 plots and 3 transects

Effort: 5-6 people, ~2 days total, one visit.

LPI transects for plants and biocrusts (three, each 30 meters)
Plant–biocrust cooccurrence quadrats (10 per transect, each 0.25 x 0.25 meters)
Biodiversity survey (one 40-minute survey)
Structure–function plots (10 plots, each 0.25 x 0.25 meters)
Collections for the trait database (up to 15 samples of the 5 most dominant moss/lichen species on site)

Tier 2 (simple experiments + monitoring)

Disturbance-Recovery experiment +16 plots

Effort: 5-6 people, ~1 day setup + repeat sampling.

Full sledgehammer disturbance treatment with monitoring of recovery
Adds monitoring visits. 3-year commitment.

Optional inoculum add-on for D-R +8 plots

Effort: 5-6 people, ~1 day setup + repeat sampling.

Only available if Disturbance-Recovery is selected.

Disturbance Gradient experiment +10 plots

Effort: 5-6 people, ~2 days setup + repeat sampling.

Repeated sledgehammer disturbance treatment at varying levels
Adds monitoring visits. 3-year commitment.
If D-R is also selected, this becomes +8 plots.

Tier 3 (infrastructure and optional components)

Drought experiment

Construct and install drought shelters and sample over 3 years; equipment ~ $1000.

Spectral reflectance (optional) no return visits

Can be completed with Tier 1. Generates up to 48 petri-dish samples per site.

Common garden component

Coordination with PI team required. More information forthcoming on this component.

Summary

Selected tiers

Tier 1

Tier 1 footprint

1 ha area: 10 plots, 3 transects

Tier 2 plots (remain at site 3 years)

Tier 3 plots (remain at site 3 years)

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Crew of 5-6 Crew of 2

CrustNet Effort Calculator

Summary

Estimated field time by visit

Co-authorship on papers

Supplies you provide

Supplies shipped to you in kit

Samples you collect and ship back