A request to those who go on an expedition

Vasily Borisovich, do you realize that the export of land samples across the border is fraught with serious complications for the exporter? As far as I understand, such samples are subject to customs clearance, but I am even afraid to imagine this procedure in some Thailand. Again, let's recall the film "Resident's Mistake" and the attitude of the special services to sampling activities...

Yes, I can't quite imagine the procedure for exporting land samples across the border, because I didn't take them across the border.
However, the insects are being taken out? What's the difference?

Plus, if this is not possible across the border, then there are definitely no such difficulties within the Russian Federation.

Depends on where. It seems that some places do not look at all (only X-rays).

Of course, that where it causes problems, I do not ask (where, rather, people who went there know).
But if it's possible, I'd appreciate it.
Plus Russia, for example, the Taiga regions, the Far East (in general, everything except the European part).

Of course, if the supplier wishes, he can be a co-author (if he agrees to acarology).

It's just that there are places where people travel regularly, and everything except the EC of Russia has not been studied at all. Other countries (near and far abroad, too, but here you need to specify what kind of territory).

Doesn't anyone want to help?

The procedure itself lasts for 10 minutes (I took a handful of moss or bedding, put it in a bag and went).

Kola Peninsula — not? I'll definitely be here in the summer. I'm also going to East Kazakhstan, but now I need to be more careful with my plans.

Vasily Borisovich, I recommend that you apply to the Voronezh State University Department of Ecology and Land Resources or the Department of Soil Science and Land Management. Every summer, these departments take their students to industrial practices that include the most remote places in Russia. In addition to the distance of the route, they also work with the soil, lay sections... And cooperation with them (if you are interested in oribatids) would be fruitful.

But the method of "taking a handful of moss or bedding, putting it in a bag and going" seems too disorganized to me, given that soil samples are still taken according to specific methods and should be standardized. Remember the same K. K. Fasulati "Field study of terrestrial invertebrates", 1971. Or are you still only interested in species diversity?

Thetis, thank you for your advice.

At the moment, I am really interested in the species diversity, or rather the morphology of representatives of individual families.
Of course, this is extremely insufficient for statistics, ecology, etc. But it is quite enough to get initial information about the types. In addition, this is, let's say, an addition to the main work (you can't be everywhere, and sometimes you don't think about what to beat in this particular place if you've never been there before)

You're probably right about VSU. You are familiar with these departments. If so, who do you recommend contacting?

About the one to whom, I wrote in a personal account. I would take you samples this year, I never refuse my colleagues. But this is if I knew in June before the start of the expedition season.

Write down exactly what to do, where how much and what to take, how to carry and store.

It depends on where you will go (to which biotope). I'll describe all the options:
1. If it is a forest. Then you can take a litter of about 10 square meters. cm. It is better to take it where the litter is more powerful and wet (but not in water). The top of the litter is usually all sorts of large non-rotted leaves - they are of little interest. But under them there is a warm part that has turned into dust, often wet - this is necessary. Usually, the transition of this layer to the soil is not clear, so the capture of the upper layer of soil is desirable. If possible, then the sample is taken in the depth of 10 cm, too.You should not dig deep.

Also in the forest, you can take a moss pillow (with a colo area of 10 sq. cm). Moss can be anything, but alive. You can take moss both from the soil and from trees lying alive and dead (just specify this). Moss can replace dense lichen (flat ones on trees and rocks do not need to be scraped).

I would be glad to have both moss and litter from the same territory, as they complement each other).

you can take, if desired, dust with stumps (it happens that it crumbles itself, but it is always wet "alive"). The volume is about the same.

2. If it is an open space (steppe, tundra). Then take the soil of 10 cubic meters. cm (or about-depending on the pliability of the substrate). You can take moss growing on the surface of the soil.

3. If this is a sandy dry ground (desert area), then it is better to take it under plants (you can use it together with the root). The volume is the same.

Once the sample is taken, put it in an airtight container or bag and block access to air and evaporation. If such a package is crushed in a backpack , it's not a big deal. The main thing is to avoid depressurization. You can use a double package.

Such a sample can be stored for a long time (several months), if the microclimate persists. Direct sunlight should not work for a long time.

The number depends on your capabilities. The more the better, but I do not insist-the situation may be different.

Transportation is simple and without special requirements. shaking, moderate squeezing, and non-critical temperature changes (like from +40 to -10 during the day) will not hurt. Only drying out is harmful.
If condensation has formed inside the container, it's not a big deal.
The sample does not need to be replenished with air, there will always be enough oxygen and moisture if everything is sealed.

If you know the exact location and biotope, please ask.

I also forgot - the safety of the substrate structure (such as soil structure) is not important. Therefore, as a tool, you can use what is convenient - a spatula, a knife, a hand.

I want to remind you once again that if someone decides to take samples of soil (or moss, or rotten wood) from the next trip for insects, I will be grateful.

By the way, if you do not want to contact the soil itself, but you can spend enough time in one place (from 3 days or more), then you can choose the material from the soil right on the spot - using the eclector method. Simple funnel with strainer (cloth, gauze, bandage)+a jar attached to the neck (like tweezers). If possible, then put it under the lamp and everything that falls through the funnel into the jar.
The jar must contain a liquid (alcohol or glycerin, you can use it together).
That is, they are no longer carrying a bag of earth across the border, but a jar (ependorf) with alcohol.
You can do that.

The funnel can be made from plain paper or cardboard.

If there is a small amount of soil in the funnel, then 1-2 days is enough.

This post was edited by Jukoman - 13.11.2015 00: 14