Soil Properties and Forest Stand Characteristics Along a Toposequence of the Smith Lake Area Near Fairbanks, Alaska

Soil Properties and Forest Stand Characteristics Along a Toposequence of the Smith Lake Area Near Fairbanks, Alaska PDF Author: Lijie Zhu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forest productivity
Languages : en
Pages : 390

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Book Description
"Forests, soils and their relationships were studied along a toposequence over an elevation range from 161 meters to 213 meters near Smith Lake on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, Fairbanks, Alaska. Forest cover type and understory species composition change along the slope from top to bottom and are related to temperature and moisture. Aspen occurs on the ridge top. Paper birch grows best on the shoulder. White spruce, which has the greatest commercial value, is the only species present on all slope positions; it grows best on shoulder and back slopes. Black spruce dominates on the wet and cold top slope that has a thick organic layer. Organic horizon depth increases, whereas rooting depth decreases, along the toposequence from the shoulder slope to the top slope. Soil textures are mainly silt loam and fine sandy loam with slightly acidic reactions in the surface mineral horizons to calcareous reactions in subsoils. Organic carbon is concentrated in the surface organic horizons and the surface mineral horizons and decreases drastically in the subsurface horizons. This thesis was an exploratory effort; although soil properties along the Smith Lake toposequence cannot be used as quantitative predictors of forest productivity, the qualitative results provide a basis for matching species to site"--Leaf iii.

Soil Properties and Forest Stand Characteristics Along a Toposequence of the Smith Lake Area Near Fairbanks, Alaska

Soil Properties and Forest Stand Characteristics Along a Toposequence of the Smith Lake Area Near Fairbanks, Alaska PDF Author: Lijie Zhu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forest productivity
Languages : en
Pages : 390

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Book Description
"Forests, soils and their relationships were studied along a toposequence over an elevation range from 161 meters to 213 meters near Smith Lake on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, Fairbanks, Alaska. Forest cover type and understory species composition change along the slope from top to bottom and are related to temperature and moisture. Aspen occurs on the ridge top. Paper birch grows best on the shoulder. White spruce, which has the greatest commercial value, is the only species present on all slope positions; it grows best on shoulder and back slopes. Black spruce dominates on the wet and cold top slope that has a thick organic layer. Organic horizon depth increases, whereas rooting depth decreases, along the toposequence from the shoulder slope to the top slope. Soil textures are mainly silt loam and fine sandy loam with slightly acidic reactions in the surface mineral horizons to calcareous reactions in subsoils. Organic carbon is concentrated in the surface organic horizons and the surface mineral horizons and decreases drastically in the subsurface horizons. This thesis was an exploratory effort; although soil properties along the Smith Lake toposequence cannot be used as quantitative predictors of forest productivity, the qualitative results provide a basis for matching species to site"--Leaf iii.

Annual Report

Annual Report PDF Author: University of Alaska Fairbanks. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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A Study of Soil Topo-sequences in the Steese and White Mountains of Alaska

A Study of Soil Topo-sequences in the Steese and White Mountains of Alaska PDF Author: Eric S. Geisler
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mountain soils
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
The Steese Mountains of Alaska present a complex landscape on which to study soil formation and characteristics in relation to topographic position. The White and Steese Mountains of Alaska are located approximately 70 to 220 km northeast of Fairbanks. Ten toposequences with 3 or 4 sites each were described in the field, sampled, and analyzed in the laboratory in order to determine the relationship between soil morphology and soil-forming factors. Permafrost is discontinuous within the study area and vegetation ranges from tundra on summits to boreal stands of resin birch, quaking aspen, black spruce and white spruce along the lower elevations. There have been many wildfires over time that may have altered the soils and affected the vegetation successional patterns. The processes through which various soil patterns have formed and the unique characteristics of the soils are described here based on field data obtained from both burned and unburned sites. The analysis includes biophysical settings, parent material, texture and nutrient concentrations. Organic horizons were common on most of the transects and play a key role in the depth of the active layer where they exist. Nutrient concentrations are also closely tied to the presence and depth of the organic horizons. Some patterns described in other areas of the boreal region were not observed in this study. There were some soil properties that are not readily described under the current taxonomy protocols which are suggested to be added in a future revision of Soil Taxonomy.

The Forest Soils Laboratory, University of Alaska

The Forest Soils Laboratory, University of Alaska PDF Author: University of Alaska Fairbanks. Forest Soils Laboratory
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forest soils
Languages : en
Pages : 18

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Physical Soil Characteristics Related to Site Quality in Climax Stands of Southeast Alaska

Physical Soil Characteristics Related to Site Quality in Climax Stands of Southeast Alaska PDF Author: Richard M. Godman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 1

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The Forest Ecosystem of Southeast Alaska

The Forest Ecosystem of Southeast Alaska PDF Author: Arland S. Harris
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Engineering Properties of Southeast Alaskan Forest Soils

Engineering Properties of Southeast Alaskan Forest Soils PDF Author: George Filz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forest soils
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
The strength of both undisturbed and compacted soils from 10 sites in the slide-prone Tongass National Forest in SE Alaska were studied. Index property tests were also conducted on disturbed samples. The index tests included natural water content, Atterberg Limits, specific gravity of solids, grain size distribution, and moisture-density relationship. The effect of drying on the soils was studied by conducting the Atterberg Limits tests on materials which had not been dried below their field water content and comparing the results to those of Atterberg Limits tests conducted on air-dried material. Nine of the 10 samples studied exhibited a marked decrease in plasticity as a result of drying. Consolidated-undrained triaxial shear tests with pore pressure measurements were conducted on both undisturbed and compacted samples to evaluate the soils' effective strength parameters. Test results on several undisturbed specimens from a single site often did not provide comparable results because of material variability. In general, an increase in effective angle of internal friction with decreasing plastic index and increasing dry density was observed. Applications of the test results to problems in slope stability analysis and use of the soils in engineered construction are discussed.

Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology PDF Author: F Stuart Chapin III
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387216634
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 449

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Book Description
Features review questions at the end of each chapter; Includes suggestions for recommended reading; Provides a glossary of ecological terms; Has a wide audience as a textbook for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students and as a reference for practicing scientists from a wide array of disciplines

Permafrost

Permafrost PDF Author: T. Neil Davis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 404

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Book Description
Intended for a broad audience, this book is suitable for the science-minded layman and motivated students; it belongs in the library of anyone with more than a passing interest in the colder regions of the world. Students, permafrost specialists, and professionals in earth and environmental sciences will find most of the necessary and detailed mathematical material contained in the appendices, where it is accessible but not alarming to the less technically minded."--BOOK JACKET.

Hydrogeology, Chemical Weathering, and Soil Formation

Hydrogeology, Chemical Weathering, and Soil Formation PDF Author: Allen Hunt
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119563968
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Explores soil as a nexus for water, chemicals, and biologically coupled nutrient cycling Soil is a narrow but critically important zone on Earth's surface. It is the interface for water and carbon recycling from above and part of the cycling of sediment and rock from below. Hydrogeology, Chemical Weathering, and Soil Formation places chemical weathering and soil formation in its geological, climatological, biological and hydrological perspective. Volume highlights include: The evolution of soils over 3.25 billion years Basic processes contributing to soil formation How chemical weathering and soil formation relate to water and energy fluxes The role of pedogenesis in geomorphology Relationships between climate soils and biota Soils, aeolian deposits, and crusts as geologic dating tools Impacts of land-use change on soils The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals. Find out more about this book from this Q&A with the Editors