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-36

Plot Number:	HV-36
Location:	Water track transect about 500 m southwest of Happy Valley camp
Description by:	A. Gallant
Sample Date:	7/27/94
Sample Time:
Classification:
Parent Material:	Fine-grained alluvium and organic material from colluvial basin
Geomorphic Surface:	Raised area (island) in water track
Elevation:	1000 ft
Slope:	0°
Aspect:	Flat
Vegetation:	Moist Betula nana, Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum warnstorfii, low-shrub tundra
Horizon:	Description:
Oi1	0-10 cm | Sample S-175
	Yellow-brown to dark yellow brown (10 YR 4.5/4). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Top 5 cm are live mosses (Sphagnum). Many very fine roots, medium and fine roots are common. Slightly compressed mat of Sphagnum and some roots.
Oe1	10-15 cm | Sample S-176
	Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Mainly composed of roots. Also has Sphagnum and sedge parts. Many very fine and fine roots. Medium roots common.
Oi2	15-17 cm | Sample S-177
	Dark yellow brown (10 YR 3/6). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Sphagnum moss with many very fine and fine roots.
Oe2	17-22 cm | Sample S-178
	Dark brown (10 YR 3/3). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Composed of roots and sedge parts. Many very fine roots, fine roots are common.
A2	22-28+ cm | Sample S-179
	Very dark gray-brown (10 YR 3/2). Weak, very fine granular and subangular blocky structures present; 0% gravel. Sticky, plastic consistence (wet). Silty loam texture; many very fine roots, fine roots common.
Permafrost	22 cm |