Extensive vegetation and soil surveys from multiple sites in boreal forests of subarctic Canada, 2013-2014 ...

• Main Authors: Williams, M., Estop-Aragones, C., Fisher, J.P., Murton, J.B., Phoenix, G.K., Hartley, I.P.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: NERC Environmental Information Data Centre 2020
• Subjects: Environmental survey; soil; soil moisture; organic matter; leaf area index; boreal forest; Canada; Northwest Territories; Subarctic; Yukon
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5285/36f4e380-d01d-44a7-8321-7a677e6996b2; https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/36f4e380-d01d-44a7-8321-7a677e6996b2

The dataset contains a stratified survey of ecological and soil states at sites where fine scale patterns of covariation between vegetation and edaphic characteristics were recorded. Key data collection included leaf area index, moss and organic matter thickness, surface and deeper soil moisture. Data were collected at sites in the Yukon (2013) and Northwest Territories (2014), Canada. ... : Tree canopy leaf area index (LAITree) was determined using a Nikon D5000 DSLR camera with a Sigma EX 4.5 1:2.8 DC HSM hemispherical lens. Nine photographs were taken at different locations 1 m above each plot and processed with CAN-EYE software. Understory LAI (LAIU) was measured using a LI-COR LAI2000 Plant Canopy Analyser (LI-COR, Lincoln, USA). One measurement was taken above the understory canopy with a 90 degree field of view cap and four measurements were taken below the understory canopy at the four corners of a 20 x 20 cm square at the centre of each plot. Moss thickness was determined by carefully removing a section of moss and organic material from the ground with a serrated knife while avoiding compression. Moss thickness was measured as the distance from the surface of the living moss to the point at which dead moss (fibric material) became decomposed to a state that its structure was no longer discernible. For further details please read the associated supporting documentation. ...