Procedure:

Materials:
1. scissors
2. 35 labeled soil core bags (5 bags per day)
3. 35 labeled plant bags (5 bags per day)
4. sharpies (label plot # on bag)
5. measuring tape
6. 5 labeled flags
7. shovel
8. soil core extracting tool
9. mallet/rubber hammer

Procedure:

1. Find one hill and measure 50 meters up the hill with the tape measure

2. Plot "Point one" on top of the hill with the labeled "Plot 1" white flag; see figure to right

3. Move 10 meters down the hill using the tape measure

4. Plot "Plot 2" on the 10 meter mark with the labeled white flag

5. Repeat steps 2-3 for plots 3-5  moving 10 meters down hill each  time                                                                                                  

6.  Find one common plant species located in each of the plots' regions (for example: beech trees)

7. Repeat the following steps: 8-10 in the morning of the same day

8. Go back to "Plot 1" and use scissors to snip a sample of the plant in that region 

9. Put the plant in the "Plot 1" labeled bag

10. Use the soil core extractor tool with a diameter of 2cm to extract 15cm deep of soil in the ground in the "Plot 1" region by using the mallet

11. Once the extractor has reached the 15 cm mark, turn the tool clockwise to twist the tool out of the ground

12. Scrape the soil out of the tool into the "Plot 1" labeled bag

13. Repeat steps 7-12 for plots 2-5

14. Take all soil core and plant bags inside

15. Test soil samples for calcium with the soil core extraction

16. Test plant leaves for potassium witht the plant leaf extraction

17. Perform the Soil Core Extraction Procedure

18. Perform Steps 1-15 for 6 more days; each day, collect the soil 0.5 meters at right angle to the line of plots