Supporting Data

Biocomplexity of Patterned Ground Data Report - Permanent Vegetation Plots, Imnavait Creek - Toolik Lake Permanent Vegetation Plots

Permanent Vegetation Plots, Imnavait Creek

Appendix 1. Plot and Soil Photos

Data on this page comes from:

Note that plots without an "Average shrub height", but do have low and/or dwarf shrub cover percentages, are marked with red block

  1. SW-1


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    1. sw1 text sw1 text
    Plant Community: Moist Carex bigelowii, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Vaccinium uliginosum, Sphagnum rubellum, Hylocomium splendens sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Inter-water-track area
    Date Sampled 8/1/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 5 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 5.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 46 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 35.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 20 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 2.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 35 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 18.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 22 Forb Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Moisture 8.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Histic Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 0.3
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 80.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 25
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      |   Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oe 05-17 7.5YR2/2 83.20 | 0 0 1.4 25.8 72.8 c | 11.5 0.24
    BA 17-20+ 7.5YR4/3 18.65 |   | 2.8  
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oe 4.8 | 29.14 5828 | 10.18 1238 | 1.76 690 | 33.29
    BA 3.9 | 3.08 616 | 1.31 159 | 0.13 49 |  
    Species (% cover):
    Sphagnum rubellum, (20); Carex bigelowii, (18); Vaccinium uliginosum, (15); Salix planifolia pulchra, (15); Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, (15); Sphagnum lenense, (15); Sphagnum sp., (10); Empetrum hermaphroditum, (05); Dicranum angustum, (05); Aulacomnium palustre, (05); Aulacomnium turgidum, (05); Dicranum elongatum, (05); Betula nana exilis, (03); Eriophorum vaginatum, (02); Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, (02); Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, (02); Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (01); Ptilidium ciliare, (01); Pedicularis lapponica, (+); Senecio atropurpureus frigidus, (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Cladonia cenotea, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Cladonia spp., (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Rubus chamaemorus, (+); Petasites frigidus, (+); Polytrichum strictum, (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Hypnum bambergeri, (+); Rhizomnium andrewsianum, (+); Lophozia binsteadii, (+); Tritomaria quinquedentata, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia carneola, (+); Cladonia mitis, (+); Cladonia sulphurina, (+); Thamnolia spp., (-); Andromeda polifolia, (-); Pedicularis kanei kanei, (-); Unknown dicot, (-)

  1. SW-2


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    1. sw1 text sw1 text
    Plant Community: Wet Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Drepanocladus uncinatus low-shrub, sedge tundra
    Microsite: Well developed water track
    Date Sampled 8/1/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 35.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 1.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 22 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 45 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 35.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 42 Forb Cover (%) 0.3
    Soil Moisture 9.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 1.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryohemist Lichen Cover (%) 0.3
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 55.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 35
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    IOe 00-10 2.5Y2/1.5 25.89 | 0 0 5.3 53.2 41.5 sic | 4.2  
    IA 10-19 2.5Y4/1 14.82 | 0 0 28.9 45.0 26.1 l | 1.6 0.51
    IIOeb 19-32 10YR2/2 51.89 | 0 0 6.3 45.3 48.5 sic | 9.3  
    IIBA 32-46 2.5Y4/1 7.55 | 35.5 5.3 30.0 41.2 28.8 cl | 1.9  
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    IOe 5.6 | 15.98 3196 | 5.18 630 | 0.52 204 | 21.44
    IA 4.0 | 4.54 908 | 1.42 173 | 0.10 41 | 6.12
    IIOeb 4.1 | 6.69 1338 | 1.68 205 | 0.16 63 | 6.69
    IIBA 4.3 | 1.70 341 | 0.48 58 | 0.06 24 | 3.14
    *Mean of five measurements
    Species (% cover):
    Salix planifolia pulchra, 35; Eriophorum angustifolium subarcticum , 35; Drepanocladus uncinatus , 15; Brachythecium sp. , 10; Campylium stellatum, 10; Aulacomnium palustre, 05; Salix fuscescens, 01; Equisetum arvense, 01; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium , 01; Sphagnum angustifolium , 01; Sphagnum rubellum , 01; Sphagnum teres , 01; Betula nana exilis, (+); Rubus chamaemorus, (+); Arctagrostis latifolia, (+); Poa arctica, (+); Polemonium acutiflorum, (+); Saxifraga cernua, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Stellaria longipes , (+); Valeriana capitata, (+); Brachythecium groenlandicum , (+); Brachythecium turgidum , (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Peltigera canina, (+); Cardamine pratensis angustifolia , (-); Paludella squarrosa, (-)
    SOIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR REPRESENTATIVE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES (Colors are for wet soils (field conditions) unless otherwise stated)
    MICROSITE: Well developed water track, lower-midslope portion of track; soil pit is in the center of the track.
    SUBSTRATE: Organic-rich alluvium over clay-rich till
    VEGETATION: Wet Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Drepanocladus uncinatus low-shrub, sedge tundra.
    CLASSIFICATION: Histic Pergelic Cryaquept
    NOTES: Permafrost at 46 cm. Buried soil at 19 cm probably due to fluvial deposition from water track.
    IOe 0-10 cm. Reddish black (2.5Y 2/1.5) coarse hemic peat with silty clay mineral component, est. 75% by volume; abrupt smooth boundary.
    IA 10-19 cm. Yellowish grey (2.5Y 4/1) organic loam; weak subangular blocky, breaking to weak fine granular; many fine and very fine roots; abrupt smooth boundary.
    IIOeb 19-32 cm. Black (10YR 2/2) silty clay hemic peat composed of sedge leaves and roots; moderate medium platy structure due to compressed plant material; abrupt smooth boundary.
    IIBAb 32-46+ cm. Yellowish grey (2.5Y 4/1) gravelly clay loam with few prominent medium irregularly shaped brown (10YR 4/6) mottles; no detectable structure due to wetness; 30-40% coarse grave to 5 cm diameter; no roots.

  1. SW-3


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    1. sw3 text sw1 text
    Plant Community: Moist Eriophorum vaginatum, Carex bigelowii, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Betula nana, Hylocomium splendens, Aulacomnium turgidum tussock-sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Inter-water-track area
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 1.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 41 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 30.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 26 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 45.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 46 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 7.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 22 Forb Cover (%) 0.3
    Soil Moisture 8.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Histic Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 2.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 75.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) red block
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-06 5YR3/2 85.49 |   | 10.7  
    Oe 06-24 5YR2/1 46.82 | 0 7.5 1.8 27.4 70.8 c | 6.2 0.25
    BA 24-32 7.5YR4/2 11.20 |   | 3.7  
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 4.5 | 31.28 6256 | 9.85 1198 | 2.89 1131 |  
    Oe 4.2 | 14.14 2828 | 2.97 362 | 0.32 124 | 14.26
    BA 3.9 | 2.16 432 | 0.41 50 | 0.14 55 |  
    Species (% cover):
    Eriophorum vaginatum, 45; Aulacomnium turgidum, 20; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 20; Dicranum groenlandicum, 10; Salix planifolia pulchra, 07; Carex bigelowii, 07; Betula nana exilis, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 05; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 05; Sphagnum lenense, 05; Sphagnum rubellum, 05; Vaccinium uliginosum, 03; Ptilidium ciliare, 02; Cladonia gracilis, 02; Arctous alpina, 01; Empetrum hermaphroditum, 01; Dicranum angustum, 01; Cladonia mitis, 01; Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (+); Rubus chamaemorus, (+); Salix reticulata reticulata, (+); Bistorta plumosa, (+); Pedicularis kanei kanei, (+); Aulacomnium palustre, (+); Dicranum sp., (+); Drepanocladus badius, (+); Drepanocladus revolvens, (+); Hypnum bambergeri, (+); Pleurozium schreberi, (+); Rhizomnium andrewsianum, (+); Sphagnum girgensohnii, (+); Anastrophyllum minutum, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Calypogeia sp. , (+); Lophozia sp. , (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Cetraria nivalis, (+); Cetraria richardsonii, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia carneola, (+); Cladonia cenotea, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Thamnolia spp., (+); Peltigera scabrosa, (+); Peltigera sp., (+); Polytrichum strictum, (-); Tomenthypnum nitens, (-)

  1. SW-4a


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    1. Plot SW-4 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Wet Eriophorum vaginatum, Carex bigelowii, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Drepanocladus uncinatus tussock-sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Weakly developed water track
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 2.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 8.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 35 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 15.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 18 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 40.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 64 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 11.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 48 Forb Cover (%) 3.0
    Soil Moisture 9.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 0.3
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 60.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) red block
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oe 00-06 7.5YR2/1 48.63 |   | 5.8  
    Bwl*** 06-08 10R3.5/4 4.01 |   | 1.1  
    BW2 08-53 10YR3/3 3.94 | 5.0 12.0 38.8 32.5 28.8 cl | 1.1 0.20
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    ***In wet tussock tundra, Bw horizons based on following criteria: 1) subangular blocky structure, 2) accumulation of organic matter, 3) development of color chroma
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oe 4.7 | 23.23 4645 | 4.51 548 | 1.64 642 |  
    Bwl 4.6 | 2.50 499 | 0.54 65 | 0.09 34 |  
    BW2 4.1 | 1.29 259 | 0.24 29 | 0.13 51 | 3.49
    Species (% cover):
    Eriophorum vaginatum, 40; Drepanocladus badius, 15; Salix planifolia pulchra, 10; Carex bigelowii, 10; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 10; Vaccinium uliginosum, 05; Aulacomnium palustre, 05; Aulacomnium turgidum, 05; Calliergon sarmentosum, 05; Drepanocladus uncinatus, 05; Tomenthypnum nitens, 05; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 04; Petasites frigidus, 03; Sphagnum balticum, 02; Sphagnum rubellum, 02; Unknown leafy liverwort, 02; Betula nana exilis, 01; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 01; Eriophorum angustifolium subarcticum, 01; Sphagnum teres, 01; Empetrum hermaphroditum, (+); Rubus chamaemorus, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Dicranella sp., (+); Dicranum acutifolium, (+); Dicranum angustum, (+); Meesia uliginosa, (+); Pohlia sp., , (+); Polytrichum strictum, (+); Sphagnum aongstroemii, (+); Anastrophyllum minutum, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Lophozia sp., (+); Peltigera canina, (+); Peltigera polydactyla, (+); Solorina bispora, (+);

  1. SW-4b

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    Plant Community: Moist Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Sphagnum rubellum, Aulacomnium palustre low-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Margin of water tracks
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 50.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 50.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 25.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) Forb Cover (%) 6.0
    Soil Moisture   Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Histic Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 1.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 70.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 25
    *Mean of five measurements
    Species (% cover):
    Salix planifolia pulchra, 55; Vaccinium uliginosum, 25; Carex bigelowii, 20; Aulacomnium palustre, 20; Aulacomnium turgidum, 20; Sphagnum rubellum, 20; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 10; Sphagnum balticum, 10; Betula nana exilis, 10; Sphagnum teres, 10; Eriophorum vaginatum, 05; Petasites frigidus, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 05; Rubus chamaemorus, 05; Empetrum hermaphroditum, 03; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 02; Peltigera canina, 01; Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Unknown leafy liverwort, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Dicranum acutifolium, (+); Dicranum angustum, (+); Meesia uliginosa, (+); Polytrichum strictum, (+); Sphagnum aongstroemii, (+); Anastrophyllum minutum, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Lophozia sp., (+); Peltigera polydactyla, (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (+); Bistorta plumosa, (+); Pedicularis kanei kanei, (+); Pyrola grandiflora, (+); Ceratodon purpureus, (+); Ptilidium ciliare, (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia arbuscula, (+); Cladonia gracilis, (+); Cladonia mitis, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Lobaria linita, (+);

  1. SW-5


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    1. Plot SW-5 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Wet Betula nana, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Carex bigelowii, Hylocomium splendens, very little Sphagnum spp. low-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Weakly defined water track
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 6 Bare Soil (%) 2.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 55.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 53 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 20.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 18 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.3
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 15.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) Forb Cover (%) 1.0
    Soil Moisture 8.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 3.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 70.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 25
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-10 7.5YR2/1.5 63.66 |   | 8.2 0.18
    Bw 10-40 10YR5/1 2.54 | 6.6 19.9 47.5 35.3 17.2 1 | 0.7 1.46
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 5.4 | 32.49 6498 | 8.55 1040 | 1.93 754 |  
    Bw 4.5 | 0.96 192 | 0.24 29 | 0.05 2 | 2.48
    Species (% cover):
    Betula nana exilis, 45; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 30; Sphagnum teres, 30; Sphagnum imbricatum, 30; Salix planifolia pulchra, 20; Aulacomnium turgidum, 20; Carex bigelowii, 15; Aulacomnium palustre, 10; Sphagnum rubellum, 10; Dicranum angustum, 10; Vaccinium uliginosum, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 05; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 05; Ptilidium ciliare, 05; Sphagnum angustifolium, 05; Sphagnum girgensohnii, 05; Drepanocladus badius, 03; Drepanocladus uncinatus, 03; Cassiope tetragona tetragona, 02; Scapania paludicola, 02; Petasites frigidus, 01; Rubus chamaemorus, 01; Polytrichum strictum, (++); Pyrola grandiflora, (++); Pedicularis lapponica, (++); Empetrum hermaphroditum, (+); Peltigera canina, (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Sphagnum aongstroemii, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Lophozia sp., (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Bistorta plumosa, (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia gracilis, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Calliergon sarmentosum, (+); Pohlia sp., , (+); Campylium stellatum, (+); Hypnum bambergeri, (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Tritomaria quinquedentata, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Arctous alpina, (-); Bistorta vivipara, (-); Pedicularis albolabiata, (-);

  1. SW-6


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    1. Plot SW-6 sw1 text
    7
    Plant Community: Moist Carex bigelowii, Betula nana, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum ssp. sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Inter-water-track site with weakly developed solifluction features
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 20.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 30 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 30.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 18 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.3
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 43 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 30.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 20 Forb Cover (%) 2.0
    Soil Moisture 7.2 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Histic Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 4.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 85.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 18
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oe 08-13 7.5YR1.7/1 83.17 | 0 0 8.8 32.1 59.1 c | 5.5  
    A 13-15 7.5YR4/3 34.10 | 20 16.7 19.5 10.3 33.5 scl | 2.2  
    Bw1 15-17 7.5YR5/6 3.34 | 0.2 4.9 36.6 27.4 30.9 cl | 0.9  
    Bw2 17-30 10YR4/2 2.60 | 1.8 7.5 31.5 27.0 32.0 cl | 0.7 1.74
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oe 4.7 | 20.05 4010 | 4.40 534 | 1.15 450 |  
    A 4.2 | 5.59 1119 | 1.26 154 | 0.21 81 |  
    Bw1 4.5 | 1.24 247 | 0.28 34 | 0.09 34 |  
    Bw2 4.5 | 0.97 194 | 0.25 30 | 0.07 28 |  
    Species (% cover):
    Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 40; Betula nana exilis, 30; Carex bigelowii, 30; Aulacomnium turgidum, 20; Aulacomnium palustre, 20; Sphagnum teres, 10; Salix planifolia pulchra, 05; Sphagnum rubellum, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 05; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 05; Dicranum groenlandicum, 05; Vaccinium uliginosum, 03; Petasites frigidus, 02; Polytrichum strictum, 02; Cetraria cucullata, 02; Dicranum angustum, 01; Rubus chamaemorus, 01; Bistorta plumosa, 01; Cladonia gracilis, 01; Sphagnum girgensohnii, (+); Pedicularis lapponica, (+); Empetrum hermaphroditum, (+); Peltigera canina, (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Sphagnum balticum, (+); Eriophorum vaginatum, (+); Anastrophyllum minutum, (+); Cladonia arbuscula, (+); Senecio atropurpureus frigidus, (+); Calliergon stramineum, (+); Cetraria kamczatica, (+); Cetraria richardsonii, (+); Cladonia cenotea, (+); Cladonia fimbriata, (+); Cladonia spp., (+); Cladonia uncialis, (+); Thamnolia spp., (+); Pertusaria dactylina, (+); Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (-); Cornicularia divergens, (-);
    SOIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR REPRESENTATIVE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES (Colors are for wet soils (field conditions) unless otherwise stated)
    MICROSITE: Interfluve between water tracks, weakly developed solifluction features about middle of backslope.
    SUBSTRATE: Clay-rich Sagavanirktok-age till
    VEGETATION: Moist Carex bigelowii, Betula nana, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum spp. sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    CLASSIFICATION: Histic Pergelic Cryaquept
    NOTES: Permafrost at 30 cm. Oxidized mineral layer at base of peat.
    Oi 0-8 cm. Bright yellow brown (10YR 6/6) loose fibric peat composed of live moss (Sphagnum and Hylocomium), moss bases and other plant roots; clear smooth boundary.
    Oe 8-13 cm. Black (7.5YR 1.7/1) hemic peat; moderate medium platy structure; 10-15% mineral, mostly clay; many fine and very fine roots; abrupt smooth boundary.
    A 13-15 cm. Brown (7.5YR 4/3) organic sandy clay loam; weak medium platy structure breaking to weak fine granular; noticeable increase in clay toward base of organics; slightly sticky, slightly plastic (wet); many fine and very fine roots common medium; roots abrupt smooth boundary.
    Bw 15-30+ cm. Greyish yellow brown (10YR 4/2) clay loam with prominent medium to large irregularly shaped brown (10YR 4/6) mottles concentrated along root channels, plant material and areas of somewhat sandier soil; bright brown (7.5YR 5/6) oxidized band 1-2 cm thick at top of horizon beneath overlying peat; moderate medium angular blocky structure; 5-10% fine gravel, less than 1 cm diameter; sticky, plastic (wet); many fine and very fine roots.

  1. SW-7


    Enlarge image
    1. Plot SW-7 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Wet Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rubus chamaemorus, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum ssp. low-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Weakly defined water track
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 45.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 49 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 40.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 15 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 15.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 59 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 15.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 43 Forb Cover (%) 3.0
    Soil Moisture 8.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type 8Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 0.3
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 80.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 40
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-06 7.5YR2/3 34.87 |   | 4.6  
    Oe 06-12 7.5YR4/2.5 54.12 | 0 0 8.3 50.3 41.4 sic | 9.3  
    Bw 12-40 7.5YR4/3 4.86 |   | 1.4 1.27
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 3.9 | 7.52 1503 | 2.02 246 | 0.37 147 |  
    Oe 6.0 | 22.14 4428 | 6.07 738 | 1.93 754 | 25.82
    Bw 4.3 | 1.29 258 | 0.31 38 | 0.06 24 |
    Common species (% cover):
    Salix planifolia pulchra, 40; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 30; Betula nana exilis, 25; Sphagnum teres, 20; Carex bigelowii, 15; Aulacomnium turgidum, 15; Aulacomnium palustre, 15; Eriophorum vaginatum, 15; Rubus chamaemorus, 07; Sphagnum rubellum, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 07; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 05; Ptilidium ciliare, 07; Drepanocladus uncinatus, 05; Sphagnum nemoreum, 07; Dicranum elongatum, 04; Vaccinium uliginosum, 03; Petasites frigidus, 02; Tomenthypnum nitens, 01; Polytrichastrum alpinum, 01; Cetraria cucullata, (+); Bistorta plumosa, (+); Cladonia gracilis, (+); Pedicularis lapponica, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Senecio atropurpureus frigidus, (+); Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (+); Scapania paludicola, (+); Pyrola grandiflora, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Campylium stellatum, (+); Cladonia mitis, (+); Meesia sp., (+); Peltigera sp., (+); Luzula wahlenbergii, (-); Pedicularis labradorica, (-);

  1. SW-8


    Enlarge image
    1. Plot SW-8 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Moist Carex bigelowii, Betula nana, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Sphagnum spp. sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Inter-water-track area
    Date Sampled 8/3/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 5.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 38 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 35.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 20 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 5.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 48 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 30.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 32 Forb Cover (%) 5.0
    Soil Moisture 7.5 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 10.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 70.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 28
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oe 00-09 5YR1.7/1 79.70 | 0 0 19.1 36.4 44.6 c | 3.6
    BA 09-40 7.5YR4.5/4 4.96 | 11.3 6.9 31.3 19.2 31.3 scl | 1.1 0.88
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oe 4.6 | 27.45 5490 | 6.29 765 | 2.15 839 |  
    BA 4.5 | 1.84 368 | 0.50 61 | 0.11 42 |  
    Species (% cover):
    Sphagnum teres, 25; Betula nana exilis, 20; Carex bigelowii, 20; Aulacomnium turgidum, 15; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 15; Aulacomnium palustre, 10; Sphagnum rubellum, 10; Polytrichum strictum, 10; Cetraria nivalis, 07; Dicranum elongatum, 06; Eriophorum vaginatum, 05; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 05; Bistorta plumosa, 04; Salix planifolia pulchra, 03; Cetraria cucullata, 03; Empetrum hermaphroditum, 03; Petasites frigidus, 02; Cladonia gracilis, 02; Cladonia spp., 02; Vaccinium uliginosum, 01; Dactylina arctica, 01; Cladonia rangiferina, 01; Dicranum angustum, 01; Salix phlebophylla, 01; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, (+); Rubus chamaemorus, (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia mitis, (+); Peltigera sp., (+); Sphagnum girgensohnii, (+); Peltigera canina, (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Cladonia arbuscula, (+); Cetraria richardsonii, (+); Cornicularia divergens, (+); Lophozia sp., (+); Unknown leafy liverwort, (+); Eriophorum angustifolium subarcticum, (+); Poa arctica, (+); Racomitrium lanuginosum, (+); Cladonia carneola, (+); Thamnolia spp., (-); Lobaria linita, (-); Arctagrostis latifolia, (-); Alectoria ochroleuca, (-); Sphaerophorus globosus, (-);
    SOIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR REPRESENTATIVE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES (Colors are for wet soils (field conditions) unless otherwise stated)
    MICROSITE: Interfluve between water tracks, about midslope
    SUBSTRATE: Clay-rich Sagavanirktok-age till
    VEGETATION: Moist Carex bigelowii, Betula nana, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Sphagnum spp. sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    CLASSIFICATION: Pergelic Cryaquept
    NOTES: Permafrost at 40 cm
    Oe 0-9 cm. Black (5YR 1.7/1) coarse hemic peat; many fine and very fine roots, common medium roots; abrupt smooth boundary.
    Bw 9-40+ cm. Dull brown (7.5 5/4) gravelly sandy clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure, breaking to moderate fine granular; est. 20% gravel <2.5 cm diameter; plastic, sticky (wet); many fine and very fine roots.

  1. SW-9


    Enlarge image
    1. Plot SW-9 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Dry Arctous alpina, Salix phlebophylla, Cetraria nivalis, Sphaerophorus globosus dwarf-shrub, fruticose-lichen tundra
    Microsite: Dry rocky till
    Date Sampled 8/4/84 Rock Cover (%) 5.0
    Slope ( ° ) 3 Bare Soil (%) 2.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 0.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 10 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 50.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 3 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 99 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 5.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) Forb Cover (%) 1.0
    Soil Moisture 3.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryorthent Lichen Cover (%) 50.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 15.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 3
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-03 5YR2/1 77.17 |   | 8.6  
    A 03-09 7.5YR4/4 25.02 | 0 40.5 32.9 44.1 23.0 l | 3.4 1.27
    Bw1 09-19 7.5YR4/5   |   |    
    Bw2 19-65 5YR4/4   |   |    
    "**USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 3.5 | 5.70 1140 | 2.78 339 | 2.32 906 |
    A 3.6 | 1.03 208 | 0.50 61 | 0.38 148 | 4.36
    Bw1 3.9 | 0.20 41 | 0.13 15 | 0.09 37 |
    Bw2 4.3 | | | |
    Species (% cover):
    Cetraria nivalis, 35; Arctous alpina, 30; Polytrichum strictum, 15; Cornicularia divergens, 15; Cladonia spp., 10; Salix phlebophylla, 10; Sphaerophorus globosus, 10; Betula nana exilis, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 05; Alectoria ochroleuca, 05; Hierochloe alpina, 05; Cladonia gracilis, 03; Cetraria sp., 03; Cetraria islandica, 01; Eriophorum vaginatum, (+); Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, (+); Bistorta plumosa, (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Cassiope tetragona tetragona, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia mitis, (+); Cetraria richardsonii, (+); Thamnolia spp., (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Pertusaria dactylina, (+); Tritomaria quinquedentata, (+); Ceratodon purpureus, (+); Luzula confusa, (+); Dicranum sp., (+); Polytrichum piliferum, (+); Baeomyces sp., (+); Cetraria nigricans, (+); Cladonia coccifera, (+); Cladonia macrophylla, (+); Lecidea demissa, (+); Pertusaria panyrga, (+); Carex bigelowii, (-);

  1. SW-10


    Enlarge image
    1. Plot SW-10 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Moist Betula nana, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Carex bigelowii, Sphagnum spp. Low-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Margin of water track
    Date Sampled 8/4/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 4 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 40.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 20.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 17 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.3
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 36 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 15.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 20 Forb Cover (%) 7.0
    Soil Moisture 7.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 1.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 90.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 25
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-05 5YR2/3 69.49 |   | 11.2  
    Oe 05-10 5YR2/2 66.39 | 0 19.5 4.6 51.8 43.7 sic | 7.8 0.25
    Oa 10-15 7.5YR3/3 41.02 |   | 5.9  
    BA 15-22 7.5YR5/2 4.53 |   | 1.4  
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 5.0 | 24.69 4938 | 10.44 1269 | 3.32 1297 |  
    Oe 4.8 | 14.70 2941 | 5.84 711 | 1.74 682 | 11.65
    Oa 3.9 | 4.39 878 | 1.70 207 | 0.39 15 |  
    BA 4.2 | 0.99 198 | 0.30 36 | 0.06 25 |  
    Species (% cover):
    Betula nana exilis, 40; Sphagnum teres, 20; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 15; Carex bigelowii, 12; Aulacomnium palustre, 10; Sphagnum rubellum, 10; Salix planifolia pulchra, 10; Dicranum elongatum, 05; Petasites frigidus, 05; Dicranum angustum, 05; Rubus chamaemorus, 05; Aulacomnium turgidum, 03; Festuca altaica, 03; Polytrichum strictum, 02; Sphagnum girgensohnii, 02; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 01; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 01; Bistorta plumosa, 01; Sphaerophorus globosus, (+); Cladonia gracilis, (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Peltigera sp., (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Unknown leafy liverwort, (+); Cladonia carneola, (+); Arctagrostis latifolia, (+); Drepanocladus uncinatus, (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Polytrichastrum alpinum, (+); Pedicularis lapponica, (+); Cladonia fimbriata, (+); Sphagnum aongstroemii, (+); Hypnum bambergeri, (+); Polemonium acutiflorum, (+); Cetraria pinastri, (+); Parmelia septentrionalis, (+); Eriophorum angustifolium subarcticum, (-);

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  1. SW-11


    Enlarge image
    1. Plot SW-11 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Wet Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Betula nana, Sphagnum spp. low-shrub, sedge tundra
    Microsite: Well developed water track
    Date Sampled 8/4/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 5 Bare Soil (%) 30.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 15.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 60 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 10.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 15 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 0.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 35.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 49 Forb Cover (%) 3.0
    Soil Moisture 9.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 0.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 15.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 40
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-05 5YR2/2.5 54.25 | 0 0 3.7 38.5 57.9 sic | 3.6  
    Oa 05-10 7.5YR2/3 53.36 | 0 0 2.3 28.3 69.4 sic | 5.5 0.23
    BA 10-50 10YR4/3 9.10 | 0 0.3 20.6 34.5 44.6 c | 1.3  
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 5.7 | 7.44 1489 | 3.68 448 | 1.36 533 |  
    Oa 4.5 | 3.56 711 | 1.28 155 | 0.40 156 |  
    BA 4.3 | 0.76 151 | 0.23 27 | 0.09 34 |  
    Species (% cover):
    Eriophorum angustifolium subarcticum, 35; Salix planifolia pulchra, 20; Betula nana exilis, 07; Sphagnum rubellum, 05; Sphagnum girgensohnii, 05; Polytrichum strictum, 03; Petasites frigidus, 02; Rubus chamaemorus, 02; Polytrichum commune, 02; Sphagnum teres, (+); Carex bigelowii, (+); Aulacomnium palustre, (+); Aulacomnium turgidum, (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Polemonium acutiflorum, (+); Tritomaria quinquedentata, (+); Lophozia sp., (+); Scapania paludicola, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Sphagnum balticum, (+); Calliergon stramineum, (+);
    SOIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR REPRESENTATIVE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES (Colors are for wet soils (field conditions) unless otherwise stated)
    MICROSITE: Well developed water track, middle of track, midway downslope
    SUBSTRATE: Organic-rich slope wash over clay-rich till
    VEGETATION: Wet Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Carex bigelowii, Sphagnum spp. low-shrub tundra (soil pit is in area of Eriophorum angustifolium)
    CLASSIFICATION: Pergelic Cryaquept
    NOTES: Permafrost at 55 cm
    Oe 0-5 cm. Very dark reddish brown (5YR 2/2.5) coarse hemic peat; abrupt smooth boundary,
    Oa 5-10 cm. Very dark brown (7.5YR 2/3) silty clay sapric organic; weak medium platy structure due to compressed vegetation mat (mostly sedge leaves); nonsticky, non plastic (wet); many fine and very fine roots, common medium roots; abrupt smooth boundary.
    Bw 10-50+ cm. Dull yellowish brown (10YR 4/3) clay with prominent large and medium irregularly-shaped yellowish brown (10YR 5/5) mottles; moderate angular blocky structure; very sticky, very plastic (wet); <2% fine gravel; many fine and very fine roots.

  1. SW-12


    Enlarge image
    1. Plot SW-12 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Moist Carex bigelowii, Betula nana, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Eriophorum vaginatum, Sphagnum spp., Hylocomium splendens sedge, dwarf-shrub tundra
    Microsite: Inter-water-track area
    Date Sampled 8/4/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 7 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 260 Low Shrub Cover (%) 15.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 52 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 50.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 20 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 10.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 49 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 30.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 22 Forb Cover (%) 1.0
    Soil Moisture 8.0 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 1.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 70.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 25
    *Mean of five measurements
    Soil physical characteristics
      | Particle Size (%, USDA size classes)** |  
    Horizon Depth (cm) Wet Color % Org. Matter | Coarse Gravel Fine Gravel Sand Silt Clay Texture | Hygro. Moist. (%) Bulk Density (g/cm3)
    Oi 00-08 5YR2/3.5 82.24 |   | 9.3  
    Oa 08-12 7.5Y3/3 37.21 | 0 44.3 1.9 96.1 2.0 s | 5.9  
    B/A 12-47 10YR4.5/3 4.80 | 13.5 11.3 40.8 33.6 25.6 l | 1.3 1.68
    **USDA size classes: coarse gravel: 76.1 - 12.7 mm; fine gravel 12.7 - 2.00 mm; sand: 2.00 - 0.05 mm; silt: 0.05 - 0.002 mm; clay: <0.002 mm.
    Soil chemical characteristics
      |   CATIONS   | ANIONS
      | Ca++ | Mg++ | K+ | NO3
    Horizon pH | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | meq/100g µg/g | µg/g
    Oi 3.9 | 15.26 3052 | 4.14 504 | 2.41 943 |  
    Oa 4.5 | 7.68 1535 | 1.71 208 | 0.51 200 | 56.60
    B/A 4.4 | 1.39 278 | 0.27 33 | 0.06 25 | 11.09
    Species (% cover):
    Sphagnum teres, 35; Betula nana exilis, 30; Carex bigelowii, 30; Hylocomium splendens obtusifolium, 25; Salix planifolia pulchra, 20; Sphagnum rubellum, 10; Aulacomnium palustre, 10; Aulacomnium turgidum, 10; Eriophorum vaginatum, 10; Polytrichum strictum, 05; Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, 05; Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus, 05; Dicranum groenlandicum, 05; Dicranum angustum, 03; Empetrum hermaphroditum, 03; Rubus chamaemorus, 02; Cassiope tetragona tetragona, 02; Bistorta plumosa, 01; Petasites frigidus, (+); Pohlia nutans, (+); Tomenthypnum nitens, (+); Tritomaria quinquedentata, (+); Blepharostoma trichophyllum brevirete, (+); Calliergon stramineum, (+); Cladonia gracilis, (+); Cetraria cucullata, (+); Cladonia amaurocraea, (+); Cladonia rangiferina, (+); Solorina bispora, (+); Cladonia carneola, (+); Arctagrostis latifolia, (+); Drepanocladus uncinatus, (+); Pedicularis lapponica, (+); Cladonia spp., (+); Cetraria islandica, (+); Dactylina arctica, (+); Cladonia mitis, (+); Cetraria richardsonii, (+); Peltigera canina, (+); Ptilidium ciliare, (+); Saxifraga nelsoniana, (+); Sphagnum angustifolium, (+); Bistorta vivipara, (+); Hypnum sp., (+); Polytrichum sp., (+);

  1. SW-13


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    1. Plot SW-13 sw1 text
    Plant Community: Moist Betula nana, Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra, Carex bigelowii, Sphagnum spp., Hylocomium splendens low-shrub, sedge tundra
    Microsite: Inter-water-track area, footslope of west-facing hill
    Date Sampled 8/4/84 Rock Cover (%) 0.0
    Slope ( ° ) 6 Bare Soil (%) 0.0
    Aspect ( ° ) 270 Low Shrub Cover (%) 35.0
    Snow Depth (cm, 5/17/87)* 71 Dwarf Shrub Cover (%) 25.0
    Height of Microrelief (cm) 28 Tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 5.0
    Tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 39 Non-tussock Graminoid Cover (%) 25.0
    Inter-tussock Thaw Depth (cm) 18 Forb Cover (%) 1.0
    Soil Moisture 7.3 Horsetail Cover (%) 0.0
    Soil Type Histic Pergelic Cryaquept Lichen Cover (%) 1.0
        Bryophyte Cover (%) 75.0
        Average Shrub Height (cm) 28
    *Mean of five measurements