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-5

soil photo
Classification:Pergelic Cryochrept, sandy-skeletal, mixed.
Location:South side of Toolik Lake, 68°37' N, 149°36' W.
Physiographic position:Top of glacial outwash terrace.
Topography:High centered polygons 6-8 m diameter, 20-40 cm height.
Microrelief Height:2-5 cm.
Drainage:Well drained terrace bluff.
Vegetation:Dry Arctous alpina, Hierochloe alpina, dwarf-shrub, fruticose-lichen tundra
Parent material:Itkillik II outwash.
Sampled by:D.A. Walker and C. Westberg, August 2, 1989.
Remarks:Deep active layer, but very rocky soil.
Weather:Cold, raining
Horizons:Colors are for moist soil.
Oa0-8 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2.2) sapric organic material with est. < 5 percent silt loam; moderate fine granular structure; damp; smooth, slightly sticky, slightly plastic (wet); pH = 4.0; many fine and very fine roots; abrupt, irregular boundary. (Sample T-008).
Bw8-12 cm. Brown (7.5YR 4.5/4) cobbly sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; damp; friable (moist), gritty, slightly sticky, slightly plastic; pH = 4.1; common fine and many very fine roots; est. 75 percent gravel and cobbles to 10 cm diameter; clear, irregular boundary. (Sample T-009).
Bw212-39 cm. Strong brown (7.5 YR 4.5/6) very gravelly sandy loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; damp; slightly gritty, smooth, plastic; pH = 4.6; common fine roots; est. 80 percent gravel and cobbles to 20 cm diameter; wavy, clear boundary. (Sample T-010).
C39-45+ cm. Dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) very gravelly loamy sand; single grained; damp, gritty, nonsticky, nonplastic; pH = 4.9; no roots; est. 90 percent gravel to 15 cm diameter. (Sample T-011).
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