Landscape dynamics in the Arctic foothills: Landscape evolution and vegetation succession on disturbances

• Main Authors: Walker, D.A., Walker, M.D.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ALASKA; MAPS; CONSTRUCTION; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; LANDSCAPING; PLANTS; ECOLOGY; COMPLEX TERRAIN; DUSTS; PROGRESS REPORT; PRUDHOE BAY; SOILS; TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS; TOPOGRAPHY; ARCTIC OCEAN; BAYS; BEAUFORT SEA; DOCUMENT TYPES; ECOSYSTEMS; FEDERAL REGION X; NORTH AMERICA; SEAS; SURFACE WATERS; USA; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Beaufort Sea; Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research; Prudhoe Bay; Tundra; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6179258; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6179258; https://doi.org/10.2172/6179258

This document contains a summary of research accomplished by the University of Colorado's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) Joint Facility for Regional Ecosystem Analysis (JFREA) for the Department of Energy's R D research program for 1989--1990. Aerial photographs, orthophoto topographic maps, and digital elevation models (DEMs) of the Toolik Lake region site were prepared by Aeromap US at 1:500 and 1:5000 scales. During August 1990, the region surrounding Toolik Lake was mapped at 1:5000 scale, and the intensive research grid was mapped at 1:500 scale. Mapped variables include vegetation, landforms, surface forms, and percentage surface water. Soil data from the Imnavait Creek and Toolik Lake sites are central to the analysis of landscape evolution. Soils were collected from the base of the O horizon at 72 gridpoints on the 1:500-scale map area at Imnavait Creek, and 85 grid points at Toolik Lake. Soils are being analyzed for percentage moisture, pH (saturated paste), electrical conductivity, percentage organic matter, nitrate, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, copper. Soils were also collected from 81 permanent plots (199 horizons) which will be used for vegetation-environmental analyses. Permanent 1 {times} 1-meter point-quadrat plots were established at 85 points of the Toolik Lake grid. Data from the plots will be stratified according to slope position and terrain unit and used to compare vegetation structure and cover on different aged surfaces. Work continued on the study of the effects of road dust on tundra vegetation. 28 figs.