oil taxonomy.

n southern Vermont) every 5 years. At each of the five sites 1 50m x 50m plot has been permanently established, with 100 5m x 5m subplots. Samples were taken from the side of the pit that was described, using a knife and trowel. If Oe was sampled, a larger area of soil surface was peeled backward and “mined”. All samples were collected into 60-ounce clear polyethylene sterile bags (Fisher Scientific) and labeled with soil site, soil pit number, and date. Samples collected for mercury analysis were collected using sampling methods that prevent atmospheric contamination. Samples were sent to labs belonging to NRCS, USFS, and UVM for analysis.

k density, and estimated mercury pool in the sampled horizon.

ern, southwestern, and northwestern coordinates of the four quadrants in each of the 100 subplots were calculated.

plot and all seedlings whose stems originated in the square were counted. Seedlings were only counted if they had true leaves (More than just cotyledons).

n the boundaries of the Lye Brook Wilderness Area in southern Vermont.

numbers in parentheses refer to page numbers in the Field Book referencing that property: Horizon Designation and lower Boundary (pgs 2-2 to 2-6).; Depth of horizon (upper and lower) in centimeters; Matrix color, moist, Munsell notation; Texture (pgs 2-29 to 2-31); Percent rock fragments by volume (shape- pg 2-40, note basic Percent Chart on page 2-9 – some Munsell color books also have a Percent Chart); structure; grade, size, and type (pgs 2-41 to 2-48); consistence, moist (also referred to as Rupture Resistance, pgs 2-49 to 2-50); Redoximorphic features; quantity, size, contrast – and Munsell color (pgs 2-14 to 2-17; see also quantity, size and contrast charts under Mottles on pgs 2-9 to 2-12); Roots (pgs 2-56 to 2-58); other features such as: organic streaks and stains, type of organic material, moisture status, slope percent, aspect and horizons sampled. Soil chemical properties (such as pH) was not recorded in the field since these were analyzed more accurately in the lab at a later date.

plants whose stem originated in the square were recorded by species and percent cover.

ding abundance data. In 2007, using the data collected in 2002, an inventory of plants present across each 50m^2 site was completed in addition to other inventory work. In 2012 the protocol was changed and presence/absence was no longer collected. Instead, the protocol switched to an abundance measure (percent cover) at each of the 10 assigned plots per site for that sampling year.