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-49

	Classification: Pergelic Cryoboroll, loamy-skeletal, mixed. Location: Northwest side of Toolik Lake. North slope of hill. Part of toposequence between plot SWT-47 and S8. 68°38' N, 149°38' W. Physiographic position: Upper backslope of north-facing 50 percent slope. Topography: Slope angle 30°. Hummocky terrain with some solifluction features. Microrelief Height: 10 cm. Drainage: Well drained. Vegetation: Dry Cassiope tetragona, Carex microchaeta, Cladonia arbuscula, dwarf-shrub, fruticose-lichen tundra Parent material: Itkillik II glacial till. Sampled by: D.A. Walker and C. Westberg, August 10, 1989. Remarks: Upper portion of well-drained snowbed with numerous ground squirrel dens. Active layer is > 50 cm. Weather: Clear. Horizons: Colors are for the damp soil. Oi 0-4 cm. Mat of Dicranum sp., Cladonia arbuscula, C. rangiferina and dead Cassiope tetragona branches. Oa 4-14 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2/2.5) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky, breaking to a weak fine granular structure; damp; friable (moist), smooth, slightly sticky, slightly plastic (wet); pH = 4.0; many fine and very fine roots; abrupt wavy boundary. (Sample T-118). AB 14-30 cm. Dark brown (10YR 3.5/3) very gravelly sandy loam; very weak subangular blocky, breaking to a moderate fine granular structure; damp; friable (moist), gritty, nonplastic, nonsticky (wet); pH = 5.3; common fine roots; est. 60 percent gravel, cobbles and stones to 20-cm diameter; gradual indistinct boundary. (Sample T-119). C 30-50+ cm. Dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) very gravelly sandy loam; single grain structure; damp; friable (moist); gritty (wet); pH = 7.6; no roots; est. 60 percent gravel. (Sample T-120).
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