Sample Processing

Providing high-quality, richly contextualized samples is a key component of NEON’s mission and allows for greater understanding of complex ecological processes at local, regional and continental scales. Each protocol describes field collection of samples. Some samples are immediately curated for archive at the NEON Biorepository and are not subject to direct analysis by NEON staff. Other samples are collected as a target for a particular analysis (e.g., chemical composition, taxonomic analysis, genetic analysis). Where possible, NEON strives to archive the downstream products of these analyses (e.g., the NEON Biorepository archives any remaining genomic DNA after small mammal ear tissue is processed for DNA sequence analysis). Researchers interested in intermediate sample products or desiring additional sample collection can submit a NEON Research Support Services request.