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-23

Plot Number:	HV-23
Location:	Footslope of north-facing toposequence, 1 km north of Happy Valley camp
Description by:	A. Gallant
Sample Date:	7/20/94
Sample Time:	13:45
Classification:
Parent Material:	Hillslope colluvium
Geomorphic Surface:	Gelifluction lobes
Elevation:	950 ft
Slope:	5°
Aspect:	N
Vegetation:	Moist Dryas integrifolia, Equisetum arvense, Salix glauca, horsetail, low-shrub tundra
Horizon:	Description:
Oi	0-4 cm | Sample S-127
	(10 YR 2/2). Abrupt, smooth boundary; comprised of loose mat of moss, primarily Tomentypnum nitens and Equisetum arvense and roots.
Oe	4-8 cm | Sample S-128
	Very dark brown (10 YR 2/1.5). Abrupt, smooth boundary; comprised of decomposing roots and mosses. About 25% fiber after rubbing.
Oa	8-16 cm | Sample S-129
	Black (10 YR 2/1). Abrupt, smooth boundary; less than 5% fiber content after rubbing.
Bw	16-40 cm | Sample S-130
	Dark gray-very dark gray (10 YR 4.5/1). Massive structure with 10% gravel. Where there are concentrations of organic matter the structure is moderate, fine and granular. Sticky, plastic consistence (wet); clay loam texture. Many very fine, common fine, few medium roots. Gravel and cobbles up to 10 cm in diameter concentrated in top of layer but spread throughout common, fine, distinct mottles. Mottles are yellowish-brown (10 YR 5/6).
Permafrost	40 cm |