Little Miss Muffet, fell over a tussock, researching the arctic way......Today we went out in search of the original Tussock plots to begin the quest to see how the data has changed over the last 30+ years. The morning began in some fairly thick fog. We were equipped with the original plot site descriptions and a GPS. Our goal, to harvest 8 tussocks from 7 plots between Toolik and Coldfoot, AK a 111 mile transect. The tussocks will be plucked throughout the weekend. My apologies, today's post is a lot of pictures!
Today would not go without challenges. Walking on the tundra is extremely difficult. The tussocks form mounds above the tundra floor, stepping on these can result on a role to the side. If you choose to walk in the valleys you have to pick up your feet each step so as not to trip on a tussock. It was tricky and hard work but fun and rewarding to travel with people so in tune to the world around them. So many genus species names were rattled off today! Traveling the Dalton Highway (Haul Rd) is always an adventure. We had to pull over for a 21 foot wide generator building to pass us. I seem to be missing photos from plot 3: Atagin Pass.
Coldfoot was our final research plot. At this plot we collected additional data and did additional work. We measured grass growth and death length, depth to permafrost, tagged a transplant garden, worked in a shade garden, and took fluorescent data. Afterwards we pulled into the Coldfoot truck stop and had a quick break before driving north again. Round trip research experience took 11 hours. I'd write more but I am so tired!