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ECOLOGICAL LAND SURVEY AND SYNTHESIS FOR THE ARCTIC NETWORK OF NATIONAL PARKS
Western Arctic National Parklands » ECOLOGICAL LAND SURVEY AND SYNTHESIS FOR THE ARCTIC NETWORK OF NATIONAL PARKS » Document List
An integrated field survey in the western Noatak will be conducted during 22 July to 1 August 2005 to collect data on the geomorphic, topographic, hydrologic, pedologic, and vegetative characteristics of ecosystems in the park. Sampling will be done along 33 transect located in the western half of the park (see attached figure). Along each transect (~1 km), sampling will be done in 7–10 plots (10 m radius) established within large, uniform vegetation patches that represent the range of characteristics found within the vegetation type. At each plot, information will be collected on location, geomorphology, surface form (slope, aspect, slope position, and shape), hydrology (depth to water, pH, and EC), soils (organic depth, depth to rock, silt thickness, EC, pH, and dominant texture; full descriptions at subset of sites), and vegetation (visually estimated cover of growth forms, cover for all vascular plants, and cover of dominant non-vascular plants). For unknown plant species, 3-5 individuals will be collected for voucher specimens and we estimate a total of 200–400 plant specimens being collected.
For the soils information, a small pit (0.3 m across and 0.5 m deep) will be dug. Soil stratigraphic descriptions will include horizon classification and depth, texture, color, boundaries, structure, coarse fragments size and shape, peat materials, and redoximorphic characteristics. To assess differences in soil chemistry among bedrock conditions, 4 samples (~0.5 L of soil) will be collected from the C horizon (~30 cm) from residual soils over limestone, shale, granite, and ultramafic rocks, for a total of 16 samples. To facilitate recovery, the vegetation mat and surface organic layer will be set aside first and replaced back on the top of the pit when finished.
Work will be done by helicopter (R44) operating out of the Kelly River Cabin. The daily helicopter schedule involves three morning drop offs of three crews of two people each and afternoon pickups. Total flight time each day will be about 5 hours.
National Park Service
201 1st Ave.
Fairbanks, Ak 99701
Phone: 907-455-0626
Fax: 907-455-0601
Email: diane_sanzone@nps.gov
For the soils information, a small pit (0.3 m across and 0.5 m deep) will be dug. Soil stratigraphic descriptions will include horizon classification and depth, texture, color, boundaries, structure, coarse fragments size and shape, peat materials, and redoximorphic characteristics. To assess differences in soil chemistry among bedrock conditions, 4 samples (~0.5 L of soil) will be collected from the C horizon (~30 cm) from residual soils over limestone, shale, granite, and ultramafic rocks, for a total of 16 samples. To facilitate recovery, the vegetation mat and surface organic layer will be set aside first and replaced back on the top of the pit when finished.
Work will be done by helicopter (R44) operating out of the Kelly River Cabin. The daily helicopter schedule involves three morning drop offs of three crews of two people each and afternoon pickups. Total flight time each day will be about 5 hours.
Contact Information
Diane SanzoneNational Park Service
201 1st Ave.
Fairbanks, Ak 99701
Phone: 907-455-0626
Fax: 907-455-0601
Email: diane_sanzone@nps.gov