Subarctic Plant Communities and Associated Litter and Soil Profiles in the Caribou Creek Research Watershed, Interior Alaska.
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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA009063
Entities
People
- Frederick J. Deneke
- John L. Troth
- Lloyd M. Brown
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory