Below is an explanation of some of the protocols we have used during this project
MicroResp™
We used the MicroResp™ protocol from the James Hutton Institute. We used this microplate-based system to test respiration as a proxy for microbial activity in our soils from around the EU. We tested moist soil against 7 other substrates, namely glucose, cellulose, alanine, fructose, glycine, citric acid and malic acid. Microplates were incubated for 6 hours then read on a CLARIOstar plate reader.
DNA Extraction
DNA extraction was completed using a Qiagen DNeasy® PowerSoil® Pro kit. The full manual is available online.
Soil extraction
Soil was extracted in water following the DEFRA approved method outlined in this paper. Samples were run for ammonia, nitrate and TN on an AutoAnalyzer, and on a TOC analyser.
Microbial response to extreme climatic events 