removing reserve areas from the remainder of the patch

taking the non-reserve area into the lab

the wire mesh extraction tables, funnels are shown on top of it

funnels are attached below the mesh, cheesecloth is laid over top to minimize soil in the samples

the moss non-reserve areas are laid on top of the cheesecloth, metal sleeves go around the patches

lids with light bulbs go on top, which will act as a heat source, completing a large version of a Tullgren funnel

cups containing a mix of ethanol, glycerol, and water are placed underneath the funnels. As the humidity in the chamber and the top of the moss decreases due to the heat of the lightbulb, microarthropods will move down through the moss, eventually falling through the mesh into the funnel and collecting cup.