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-4

Plot Number:	HV-4
Location:	Floodplain, 150 m west of runway near Happy Valley camp
Description by:	A. Gallant
Sample Date:	7/21/94
Sample Time:
Classification:
Parent Material:	Stabilized alluvium, sands and gravel
Geomorphic Surface:	Gently rolling or irregular microrelief
Elevation:	900 ft
Slope:	0°
Aspect:	Flat
Vegetation:	Moist Alnus viridis, Climacium dendroides, Equisetum arvense, Salix lanata, low-shrub tundra
Horizon:	Description:
Oe	0-4 cm | Sample S-73
	Very dark grayish brown to very dark brown (10YR 2.5/2) hemic material composed of stems and decomposing leaves and very fine roots; abrupt, smooth, boundary.
A1	4-14 cm | Sample S-74
	Very dark grayish brown to very dark brown silt loam. Weak, fine, granular structure. 0% gravel; slightly sticky and slightly plastic consistence; many very fine and fine roots, many medium roots, common coarse roots; abrupt, smooth boundary.
A2	14-21 cm | Sample S-75
	Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2) loam. Weak, medium, granular structure. 0% gravel; slightly sticky and slightly plastic consistence; common very fine, fine, and medium roots; abrupt, smooth boundary.
B	21-30 cm | Sample S-76
	Very dark grayish brown (10 YR 3/2) sandy loam. Weak, fine, subangular blocky structure. 0% gravel; slightly sticky and slightly plastic consistence; many very fine and fine roots, common medium roots; clear, wavy boundary. Notes: Indistinct banding of organic materials from flooding events apparent.
C	30-38+ | Sample S-77
	Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) loamy sand. Weak, medium, granular structure. 0% gravel; nonsticky and nonplastic consistence (wet); common very fine and fine roots.
permafrost	38+ cm |