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-21

Plot Number:	HV-21
Location:	Shoulder of toposequence; about 1 km north of Happy Valley Camp
Description by:	A. Gallant
Sample Date:	7/20/94
Sample Time:	11:15
Classification:
Parent Material:	hillslope colluvium
Geomorphic Surface:	featureless
Elevation:	1000 ft
Slope:	7°
Aspect:	N
Vegetation:	Moist Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum vaginatum, Hylocomium splendens, Salix planifolia, tussock-graminoid, dwarf-shrub tundra
Horizon:	Description:
Oi	0-4 cm | Sample S-120
	(10 YR 5/4). Abrupt, smooth boundary. Composed of a loose mat of Sphagnum and sedge roots.
Oe	4-12 cm | Sample S-123
	Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2). Abrupt, smooth boundary. Composed of decomposing Sphagnum and sedge roots.
Oa	12-20 cm | Sample S-121
	Black (10 YR 2/1). Abrupt, smooth boundary. Composed of decomposing Sphagnum and sedge roots.
Bw	20+ cm | Sample S-122
	Very dark gray-brown (10 YR 3/2). Massive structure with less than 10% gravel; 1 piece up to 2 cm in diameter. Sticky, plastic consistence (wet). Silty clay loam texture; common fine mottles in top 1 cm of layer (7.5 YR 4/6).
permafrost	20 cm |