Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/5764
Title: Subartic plant communities and associated litter and soil profiles in the Caribou Creek Research Watershed, Interior Alaska
Authors: Troth, John L.
Deneke, Frederick J., 1942-
Brown, Lloyd M.
Keywords: Caribou Creek Research Watershed
Alaska
Vegetation
Humus
Hydrology
Plant ecology
Soils
Soil chemistry
Vegetation
Watersheds
Publisher: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Research report (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 330.
Description: Research Report
Abstract: Studies were completed in several black spruce and aspen/birch communities of the Caribou Creek Watershed. Frequency and basal area or percent cover are detailed for tree, sapling, shrub, herbaceous, moss, and lichen species. Organic layer mass was greatest beneath a north slope black spruce community. Carbon and nitrogen levels were higher in litter layers beneath the hardwood stands, whereas carbon/nitrogen ratios were higher in the living and decaying organic mat beneath black spruce. Concentrations of P, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn were higher in hardwood than in conifer organic layers. K and Fe concentrations in organic layers were similar beneath hardwoods and conifers. Soils beneath conifer and hardwood stands could not be separated on the basis of pH, %C, %N or C/N ratios. Cation exchange capacity closely reflected %C in all soils. More exchangeable bases were present in soils beneath hardwood communities than beneath black spruce communities. Increases in extractable P were found near the soil surface in aspen-dominated communities. Extractable soil P increased below 15 cm in conifer stands.
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/5764
Appears in Collections:Research Report

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