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-75

soil photo
Classification:Histic Pergelic Cryaquept, coarse-loamy, mixed, nonacid.
Location:Southwest side of Toolik Lake. Water track transect. 68°37' N, 149°38' W.
Physiographic position:Water track margin on side slope, Itkillik glaciated surface.
Topography:Featureless. Slope angle 2° N.
Microrelief Height:10 - 15 cm.
Drainage:Poorly drained.
Vegetation:Moist Betula nana s.l., Rubus chamaemorus, Hylocomium splendens, low-shrub tundra
Parent material:Colluvial deposit over till.
Sampled by:D.A. Walker and C. Westberg, August 21, 1989.
Remarks:Water table at 20 cm. Permafrost at 31 cm.
Weather:Clear, warm.
Horizons:Colors are for the wet soil.
Oi0-5 cm. Loose fibric mosses Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum sp. and Aulacomnium turgidum; pH = 4.2; abrupt smooth boundary. (Sample T-177).
Oe5-10 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2.5/2) loose mat of hemic material, mostly mosses; wet; pH = 5.2; many fine and very fine roots; abrupt smooth boundary. (Sample T-178).
Oa110-13 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2/1.5) silty organic; weak fine granular structure; wet; smooth, mostly sticky, mostly plastic (wet); smooth abrupt boundary.
Oa213-18 cm. Dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4) silty organic; loose structure; wet; smooth, mostly sticky, mostly plastic (wet); pH = 4.5; smooth abrupt boundary. (Sample T-179).
Bhs18-31+ cm. Dark brown (10YR 3.5/3) loam; weak medium subangular blocky, breaking to weak fine granular structure; wet; smooth; slightly sticky, slightly plastic (wet); pH = 4.3. (Sample T-180).
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