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-38

Plot Number:	HV-38
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:
Geomorphic Surface:	"Island" (raised area in water track)
Elevation:	1050 ft
Slope:	0°
Aspect:	Flat
Vegetation:	Moist Aulacomnium turgidum, Betula nana, Rubus chamaemorus, Sphagnum angustifolium, dwarf-shrub tundra
Horizon:	Description:
Oi1	0-7 cm | Sample S-184
	Dark yellow-brown (10 YR 4/4). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Top 2 cm are live material. Many very fine roots. Coarse roots are common, medium roots are very common. Composed of Sphagnum moss.
Oi2	7-13 cm | Sample S-185
	Dark brown (10 YR 3/3). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Composed mainly of Sphagnum, but also of roots. Many very fine and fine roots. Coarse roots common as well as medium roots.
Oe	13-18 cm | Sample S-186
	Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Composed of roots and sedge parts. Many very fine and fine roots.
Oa	18-24 cm | Sample S-187
	Black (10 YR 2/1). 0% gravel; abrupt, smooth boundary. Many very fine and fine roots.
Permafrost	23 cm |
Bw	24+ cm | Sample S-188
	Very dark gray-brown (10 YR 3/2). Massive structure with 0% gravel. Sticky, very plastic consistence (wet). Clay loam texture. Few fine, brown to dark brown mottles (7.5 YR 4/4). Lots of sedge parts decomposing in this layer.