There are 30 main plots at the experimental site, allocated to 4 treatments (nitrogen, nitrogen + lime, liming, and insecticide) and 2 controls in a randomized complete block design with 5 blocks (6 'treatments' x 5 blocks) (see map of main plots).  Within these main plots are contained subplots of various other treatments.

We sample from the Control 1, Nitrogen+Lime, and Biocide main plots.   In each main plot we take two cores each from Subplots S, T, U, & V and five cores from the Reseed (subplot X).  We sample within a specific 0.5 m2 area in each of the STUV subplots at each sample date (see subplot map for details).  The X subplots are sampled randomly.

Each core taken is backfilled with a core from the border area.  The holes in the border area are then filled with sand. 

Soil cores are collected to a depth of 8 cm, using an 8 cm diameter soil corer.  One core from S,T,U,V, & X is allocated whole to the Insect group.  The remaining cores (4 cores from X and one each from STUV) are divided into portions which are allocated to the research groups as follows. 

Microbial group - 1/2  core
Mycorrhizae group - 1/8 core
Insect group - 1/4 core
Nematode group - 1/8 core

The S, T,U,V core portions are bulked together by each group to comprise the actual sample.  The same is done for the four X core portions.

Soils for analysis of root biomass and composition are collected separately.  A single 3.5 cm diameter core is collected to a depth of 16 cm from each S, T, & V subplot. Three 3.5 cm cores are also taken from the X-Reseed subplot.  These cores are divided into 0-1, 1-8, and 8-16 cm depth increments. 

Polyethylene bags containing soil cores are handled to minimize disturbance and changes in soil moisture and temperature.  While sampling, any unusual features of the area where the core was taken are noted. 

Microbial Group soil cores are sieved (4 mm) prior to leaving Sourhope, and the plant material discarded.

Insect Group soil cores are hand-sorted at some sampling dates to enumerate Tipulid larvae. 

Prior to leaving Sourhope, the details of sampling are entered on the Programme's sampling sheets (1 sheet per main plot).