Happy Valley Permanent Vegetation Plots

Walker, D.A., Auerbach, N.A., Nettleton, T.K., Gallant, A., Murphy, S.M. 1997. Happy Valley Permanent Vegetation Plots: Site factors, physical and chemical soil properties, plant species cover, photographs, soil descriptions, and ordination. Arctic System Science Flux Study, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

Home // Preliminary vegetation classification // Vegetation communities and sites // Legend for environmental variables // Environmental data // Relevé size, percent cover // Soils data // Relevé species data //
Appendices: Field descriptions of soils // Plot and soil photos // Plot location map

Field Description of Soil, Plot HV-19

Plot Number:	HV-19
Location:	East-facing river bluff of Sag. River; about 2 km south of Happy Valley Camp
Description by:	A. Gallant
Sample Date:	7/19/94
Sample Time:
Classification:
Parent Material:	Colluvium with glacial till
Geomorphic Surface:	Gelifluction lobes
Elevation:	950 ft
Slope:	30°
Aspect:	E
Vegetation:	Dry Abietinella abietina, Arctous rubra, Festuca altaica, Hedysarum alpinum, Salix glauca, shrubland
Horizon:	Description:
Oi	0-6 cm | No sample
	Clear, wavy boundary. Layer composed of dead leaves, woody stems, and dead mosses.
Oa/A	6-44 cm | Sample S-113
	Because of downslope movement of materials, this layer is a mix of soils from two horizons. Many very fine, fine, medium and coarse roots.
O
	Dark red-brown (5 YR 2.5/2). Abrupt, wavy boundary. Too much organic material to classify structure and consistence.
A
	Very dark gray (10 YR 3/1). Weak, very fine, subangular blocky structure breaks to weak, very fine, granular structure; 25% gravel. Nonsticky, nonplastic consistence (wet) with loamy sand texture
C	44-76+ cm | Sample S-114
	Very dark gray-brown (10 YR 3/2). Weak, very fine, subangular blocky structure breaks to weak, very fine, granular structure; 75% gravel. Slightly sticky, slightly plastic consistence (wet) with sandy clay texture. Many very fine and fine roots. Rocks prevent any deeper soil description.