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-40

Plot Number:	HV-40
Location:	Water track transect about 600 m southwest of Happy Valley camp
Description by:	A. Gallant
Sample Date:	7/27/94
Sample Time:
Classification:
Parent Material:	Fine grained alluvium
Geomorphic Surface:	Island (raised area) in water track
Elevation:	1025 ft
Slope:	<5° (1° - 2°)
Aspect:	NE
Vegetation:	Moist Aulacomnium turgidum, Betula nana, Ledum palustre, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Rubus chamaemorus, dwarf-shrub tundra
Horizon:	Description:
Oi	0-5 cm | Sample S-192
	Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/4). Top 1 cm is live material. Composed of moss and roots. Many very fine roots while medium and fine roots are common.
Oe	5-9 cm | Sample S-193
	Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2). Composed of roots. Many very fine roots, fine roots are common while medium roots are many.
Oa	9-12 cm | Sample S-194
	Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/4). Many very fine roots; fine roots are common.
Oe2	12-20 cm | Sample S-195
	Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2). Composed of roots and sedge parts. Many very fine roots, fine roots are common.
A2	20-33+ cm | Sample S-196
	Very dark gray-brown (10 YR 3/2). Massive but relatively loose (as opposed to dense) structure. Loam texture. Many large organic pieces throughout matrix of layer. Many very fine roots
Permafrost	33 cm |
	Slightly sticky, plastic consistence (wet).