Toolik Lake Permanent Vegetation Plots

Walker D.A. and Barry N. 1991. Toolik Lake permanent vegetation plots: site factors, soil physical and chemical properties, plant species cover, photographs, and soil descriptions. Data Report 48, Department of Energy R4D Program, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

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Soil Description, Plot SWT-68

soil photo
Classification:Lithic Pergelic Cryosaprist, euic.
Location:North side of Toolik Lake, east of outlet stream, west of runway in Salix community along river. 68°38' N, 149°36' W.
Physiographic position:Stabilized floodplain.
Topography:Irregular relief associated with stream drainage.
Microrelief Height:30 - 60 cm.
Drainage:Somewhat poorly drained.
Vegetation:Moist Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Salix lanata richardsonii, Calamagrostis canadensis s.l., Potentilla fruticosa, Rubus arcticus acaulis, low shrubland
Parent material:Alluvial deposit.
Sampled by:D.A. Walker and C. Westberg, August 12, 1989.
Remarks:Shrub height: 1.5 - 2.0 m. Rock cover > 5 percent. Soil lies directly on large cobbles of river bed at 27 cm depth.
Weather:Cloudy.
Horizons:Colors are for the wet soil.
Oi0-4 cm. Mat of Calamagrostis canadensis with mosses; abrupt smooth boundary.
Oe4-10 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2/2) loose mat, composed of grass roots, leaves, hemic material; est. 50 percent recognizable plant fibers after rubbing; many fine rhizomes and very fine roots; abrupt smooth boundary.
Oa110-18 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2/2) organic loam; est. less than 2 percent recognizable plant fibers after rubbing; weak medium subangular blocky, breaking to a weak fine granular structure, tightly bound with fine grass roots; wet; smooth, slightly sticky, slightly plastic (wet); pH = 6.9. (Sample T-164).
Oa218-27 cm. Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) loam, with many medium yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and yellowish red (5YR 4/8) mottles; weak subangular blocky structure, bound by many fine roots; wet; smooth, sticky, plastic (wet); pH = 4.8; roots extend all the way to the bottom of the horizon. (Sample T-165).
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