Soils, Vegetation, and Woody Debris Data from the 2001 

Survey Line Fire and a Comparable Unburned Site, Tanana 

Flats Region, Alaska

By K.L. Manies, J.W. Harden, and T.N. Hollingsworth

Open-File Report 2014–1049

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2014

For product and ordering information:

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Suggested citation:

Manies, K.L., Harden, J.W., and Hollingsworth, T.N., 2014, Soils, vegetation, and woody debris data from the 2001 

Survey Line fire and a comparable unburned site, Tanana Flats region, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2014-1049, 36 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141049.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report
i

Contents

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Site Descriptions............................................................................................................................................................ 1

Soil-Sample Collection................................................................................................................................................... 4

Understory Vegetation Measurements .......................................................................................................................... 5

Stand-density and Woody-debris Measurements .......................................................................................................... 5

Soil-Sample Preparation and Drying.............................................................................................................................. 6

Soil Laboratory Methods................................................................................................................................................ 6

Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen, δ13C, δ15N.................................................................................................................... 6

Particle-Size Analyses .............................................................................................................................................. 7

Elemental Analyses.................................................................................................................................................... 7

Dataset Descriptions...................................................................................................................................................... 7

Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................................................... 8

References Cited........................................................................................................................................................... 8

Appendix 1. Sample-site Descriptions ......................................................................................................................... 10

TFSB (Survey Line Burn)......................................................................................................................................... 10

TFSC (Survey Line Control)..................................................................................................................................... 10

Appendix 2. Tanana File Description........................................................................................................................... 11

Tanana_Physical...................................................................................................................................................... 11

Tanana_Chemistry................................................................................................................................................... 12

Tanana_Field ........................................................................................................................................................... 14

Tanana_Transects ................................................................................................................................................... 15

Tanana_Understory ................................................................................................................................................. 16

Tanana_Density....................................................................................................................................................... 17

Tanana_Woody_Debris ........................................................................................................................................... 18

The tables described in Appendix 2 can be downloaded at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1043
ii

Figures

Figure 1. The location of the two study sites along the Tanana River. TFSB is the Survey Line burn site. TFSC 

is the control site........................................................................................................................................................ 2

Figure 2. A photograph of the Tanana Flats Survey Line burn (TFSB) site, taken in August of 2002 (slightly over 

a year post-burn). ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 3. A photograph of Tanana Flats Survey Line control (TFSC) site. The flagging marks a 1 m2 plot used to 

determine vegetation cover........................................................................................................................................ 3

Tables

Table 1. Values (kg/hectare) for fine (<7 cm diameter) and coarse (≥7 cm diameter) woody debris. 

Aboveground and belowground debris is material that is <50% or ≥50% covered by organic soil, respectively. ...... 5

Table 2. Summary of stand density values (trees/hectare) for trees >3 and <3 m. BS = black spruce, TA = 

tamarack. ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

Table 3. Statistics of analyses for working standards run on the IRMS from 2001 through 2008. ....................... 7
iii

Conversion Factors

SI to Inch/Pound

Multiply By To obtain

Length

centimeter (cm = 10-3 m) 0.3937 inch (in.)

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft) 

meter (m) 1.094 yard (yd) 

Area

square meter (m2) 10.76 square foot (ft2) 

Mass

gram (g) 0.03527 Ounce (oz)

kilogram (kg = 103 g) 2.2046 Pound (lb)
1

Soils, Vegetation, and Woody Debris Data from the 2001 

Survey Line Fire and a Comparable Unburned Site, Tanana 

Flats Region, Alaska

By Kristen L. Manies1, Jennifer W. Harden1 and Teresa N. Hollingsworth2

 1

U.S. Geological Survey. 2

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Abstract

This report describes the collection and processing methodologies for samples obtained at two 

sites within Interior Alaska: (1) a location within the 2001 Survey Line burn, and (2) an unburned 

location, selected as a control. In 2002 and 2004 U.S. Geological Survey investigators measured soil 

properties including, but not limited to, bulk density, volumetric water content, carbon content, and 

nitrogen content from samples obtained from these sites. Stand properties, such as tree density, the 

amount of woody debris, and understory vegetation, were also measured and are presented in this report.

Introduction

The Survey Line fire (B247) burned more than 45,000 hectares within the Tanana River 

floodplain, Alaska. Ignition was in late June of 2001, and the fire was declared out in the fall. This fire 

burned a variety of ecosystem types, including open black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP] forest

and wetter tussock-dominated systems. Fire affects carbon (C) storage of these ecosystems both directly 

(for example, fire emissions, loss of vegetation) and indirectly. Indirect effects include altering the soil 

temperature regime through changes in albedo and the loss of organic layers, which play an important 

role in soil insulation (O’Neill and others, 2002). Changes in soil temperature in turn affect 

decomposition rates (Wickland and others, 2010) and vegetative regrowth (Johnstone and others, 2010). 

To understand these effects, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigators studied two forested sites, 

one that had burned and an unburned control. Other studies based on the Survey Line fire include 

changes in post-fire active layer depth (Hollingsworth, 2007) and testing the ability of remotely sensed 

data to determine burn severity (Epting and others, 2005). 

Site Descriptions

Both the burned and unburned sites were located in the Tanana Flats floodplain region;

therefore, all sample names begin with the same two letters (TF), representing the region in which they 

were collected. The burn site was located within the perimeter of the Survey Line burn (TFSB), south 

of the Tanana River at 64.64692° N, 148.29767° W (WGS84 datum; fig. 1). A location near this site 

was classified as a moderate to moderately high burn severity by using the Composite Burn Index 

(Verbyla, 2007). Although much of the ground remained charred within the burn site at the time of 
2

sampling (spring and summer of 2002), there was recruitment of new vegetation, including, but not 

limited to, Calamagrostis canadensis, Ditrichum sp., Eriophorum vaginatum, Ledum groendlandicum,

Betula sp., and Vaccinium uligonosum (fig. 2). 

Figure 1. The location of the two study sites along the Tanana River, Alaska. TFSB is the Survey Line burn site. 

TFSC is the control site.

Figure 2. A photograph of the Tanana Flats Survey Line burn (TFSB) site, Tanana Flats region, Alaska, taken in 

August of 2002 (slightly more than a year post-burn). 
3

Figure 3. A photograph of Tanana Flats Survey Line control (TFSC) site, Tanana Flats region, Alaska. The 

flagging marks a 1 m2 plot used to determine vegetation cover.

The control site (TFSC) was located north of the Tanana River within the Bonanza Creek 

Experimental Forest, part of the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program (fig.

1, appendix 1). TFSC is located at lat 64.69744° N., long 148.31917° W. (NAD83‡ datum) and was 

sampled in the spring of 2002 and the summer of 2004. This site was also used for a study of the role of 

drainage on CO2 and CH4 exchange (Wickland and others, 2010). The vegetation is similar to TFSB, 

with the addition of tamarack (Larix laricina) and Sphagnum sp. (fig. 3).

Each site was visited two times, once in the late spring of 2002 to scout for sites and once at a 

later date for more intense soil sampling. During the first visit, one or more cores were taken at random 

locations within the general location of the site. On the subsequent sampling visit, perpendicular 

transects (in the shape of an ‘L’) were marked (typically with pink/black flagging). Along each transect, 

points were marked every 10 m. Soil descriptions and (or) samples were taken at these locations. All 

soil cores were processed similarly, regardless of when they were obtained. Vegetation measurements 

(TFSB site only) were also tied to the points along each transect. GPS locations and more detailed 

information regarding these sampling locations can be found in appendix 1.

 ‡

This report lists the datum used to collect the GPS coordinates, but for the level of precision used here it should be noted 

that the WGS84 and NAD83 datum are equal. In other words, if the alternate datum is used, the location would only be off 

by several feet.
4

Soil-Sample Collection

At each site we dug soil pits and described soil horizons, following U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) (Staff, 1998) and Canadian 

(Committee, 1998) methodologies. We modified horizon codes according to the following scheme:

L Live moss, which is green and generally contains some leaf and needle litter.

D Dead moss, which is composed of undecomposed or slightly decomposed dead moss. This layer 

is characterized by fibric organic horizons that contain more moss than roots. This layer would 

be considered an Oi horizon (U.S. soil system).

F Fibric (Canadian soil system) or fibrous organic layers, which vary in degree of decomposition,

but in which roots are more abundant than recognizable moss parts. Most of these layers would 

be considered Oi horizons (U.S. soil system), or upper duff [U.S. Forest Service (USFS) system]. 

M Mesic (Canadian soil system) organic layers, which are moderately decomposed, with few, if 

any, recognizable plant parts other than roots. These layers are generally considered Oe horizons 

(U.S. soil system) or lower duff layers (USFS system). 

H Humic (Canadian soil system) or sapric organic layers, which are highly decomposed. These 

layers generally smear upon squeezing and contain no recognizable plant parts. H layers are 

generally considered Oa horizons (U.S. soil system) or lower duff (USFS system).

A Mineral soil that forms at the surface or below organic-soil horizons (U.S. and Canadian soil 

systems), containing less than 20 volume percent organic matter, as judged in the field.

B Mineral soil that has formed below an A horizon (U.S. and Canadian soil systems), with little or 

none of its original lithologic structure.

C Mineral soil that has been little affected by pedogenic processes (U.S. and Canadian soil 

systems).

LT Litter layer (dead leaves, twigs).

Se Sedge.

WD Wood.

Horizon codes could be further described with a lowercase ‘b’, designating that the horizon had been 

burned, indicating anything from light scorching to deep charring, or an ‘f’, indicating that the horizon 

was frozen at the time of sampling. In general, soil was excavated to the depth of mineral soil; however, 

we were unable to reach mineral soil consistently at site TFSC, instead stopping once the soil was 

frozen, due to the early sampling date. 

Each soil horizon was labeled with two numbers representing the soil-profile number and basal 

depth of the sample (in centimeters). A decimal point separates the profile number from the basal 

depth; for example, TFSB 3.19 denotes a sample from the Tanana Flats Survey Line fire burn site, 

profile 3, with a basal depth of 19 cm.

A subset of soil profiles was not only described, but also sampled by soil horizon. Samples were 

collected for bulk-density measurements, analytical purposes, and determination of moisture content. 

Samples were collected by either cutting out an area of known volume, or by using a corer of known 

volume (either a Makita corer, see Nadler and Wein (1998), or a SIPRE corer). Samples were placed in 

clean Ziploc bags or tins and shipped soon after collection to the USGS laboratory in Menlo Park, 

California.
5

Understory Vegetation Measurements

At the Survey Line burn site (TFSB) a temporary plot was anchored to each point along the 

site’s transects to measure percentage of cover of the understory vegetation. These plots were 120 cm2. 

Percentage of cover was quantified visually and assigned into one of eight categories: <1, 1–2, 2–5, 5–

10, 10–25, 25–50, 50–75, or 75–100 percent (Hollingsworth and others, 2006).

Stand-density and Woody-debris Measurements

Downed woody debris was measured by using the line-intersect method (Brown, 1974; Harmon 

and Sexton, 1996). Eighteen to twenty 20-m transects were located at each site. Fine woody debris (<7 

cm diameter) was tallied into one of five size classes (diameters of 0.0–0.49, 0.50–0.99, 1.0–2.99, 3.0–

4.99, and 5.0–6.99 cm) and its location was classified as either above ground or below ground (<50 or 

50–99 percent buried by forest floor organic matter, respectively). For coarse woody debris (≥7 cm 

diameter), species, diameter (cm) at transect intersection, and decay class were also recorded. Data 

were converted to mass of wood per unit of ground area by using Nalder and others (1999) formulas and 

fuel-load multipliers (based on species and size class) for Southern Northwest Territories (black spruce) 

and Central Saskatchewan (tamarack). A summary of the findings can be found in table 1.

Stand density was measured by using the point-center quarter (PCQ) method (Cottam and Curtis, 1956)

for trees >3 m tall. The PCQ method records the distance of the closest tree in each of the four quadrants 

surrounding a point. These data are converted to density by first computing the mean area (MA) of the 

four trees:

MA = [(∑di)/n)/c]2

, (1)

where MA is the mean area per tree (m2/tree), di is the distance (m) of the tree i from the center point, n

is the number of trees, and c is a correction factor based on the number of trees per point (4 trees=1.00). 

Overall density at the point is then calculated by using:

D = (1/MA) * (1,000 m2/ha), (2)

where D is the relative density (trees/ha) and MA is mean area (m2

/tree). Density of trees <3 m tall were 

measured using a 2 m circular plot centered around the same point used for the PCQ measurements. 

Tree species, diameter at breast height (also known as DBH, defined as diameter at 1.37 m), diameter at 

the base, height to live (m), height to crown (m), and condition (live/dead) also were recorded for all 

trees. A summary of the findings can be found in table 2.

Table 1. Values for fine (<7 cm diameter) and coarse (≥7 cm diameter) woody debris, Tanana Flats, Alaska.

[Above- and below-ground debris is material that is <50 percent or ≥50 percent covered by organic soil, respectively.]

Woody debris (kg/ha):

Fine debris (<7 cm) Coarse debris (>=7 cm)

Site

Aboveground Below- groundAboveground Below- ground Total

TFSB 3216 86 845 0 4147

TFSC 159 0 0 0 159
6

Table 2. Summary of stand density values for trees >3 and <3 m, Tanana Flats, Alaska. [BS, black spruce; TA, tamarack.]

Site

Height

(m) %BS %TA % live

Average density 

(tree/ha) Stdev N

TFSC >3 53 47 54 1965 1839 17

<3 41 41 90 7256 4256 17

TFSB >3 100 0 0 1270 2092 20

<3 98 2 0 2069 2522 20

Soil-Sample Preparation and Drying 

Upon the arrival of samples at the USGS laboratory, samples were inventoried using the field 

sheets. Any discrepancy between field descriptions and laboratory observations was resolved before 

sample preparation began. All samples were placed on open shelves in an isolated room and allowed to 

air-dry to a constant weight, as determined by weights measured at least one week apart. Temperature 

during air-drying ranged from 20° C to 30 °C. After air-drying, samples were oven-dried for 48 hours 

in a forced-draft oven. Samples that were classified as organic-soil horizons (for example, moss, litter) 

were oven-dried at 65° C to avoid loss or alteration of organic matter by oxidation or decomposition. 

The remaining samples were oven-dried at 105° C. 

After oven-drying, samples were thoroughly mixed and split into subsamples for analysis and 

archiving. (Archive fractions of most of the samples described here are available by contacting J. 

Harden at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif.). Samples were then processed in one of 

two ways, depending on horizon code. Mineral-soil samples were gently crushed using a mortar and 

pestle, with care to break only aggregates, and then sieved through a 2-mm screen. Soil particles that did 

not pass through the screen were removed, weighed, and saved separately; soil that passed through the 

screen was then ground by using a mortar and pestle to pass through a 60-mesh (0.246-mm) screen. The 

ground material was mixed and placed in a labeled glass sample bottle for subsequent analyses. 

Organic samples were weighed, and roots wider than 1 cm in diameter were removed, weighed, and 

saved separately. The remaining sample was then milled in an Udy Corp. (Fort Collins, Colo.) Cyclone 

mill to pass through a 0.5-mm screen. The milled sample was thoroughly mixed, and a representative 

sample was placed in a labeled glass sample bottle for analytical chemistry.

Soil Laboratory Methods

Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen, δ13C, δ15N

Because carbonates tend not to exist in the study area, nearly all of the C can be considered 

organic. A Carlo Erba NA1500 elemental analyzer coupled to a Micromass Optima isotope ratio mass 

spectrometer (IRMS) in continuous flow mode was used to determine total C, total Nitrogen (N), δ13C,

and δ15N. Samples were combusted in the presence of excess oxygen. The resulting sample gasses were 

swept in a continuous flow of helium through an oxidation furnace, followed by a reduction furnace, to 

yield CO2, N2, and water vapor. Water was removed by a chemical trap, and CO2 and N2 were separated 

chromatographically before entering the Micromass Optima IRMS for the measurement of C, N, δ13C, 

and δ15N. Carbon and N were determined by integrating the major ion peaks (mass 44 for CO2 and mass 

28 for N2). For reliable quantification of δ15N, 15-30 μg N are generally needed, and few samples met 

this criterion. Thus, the δ15N data are not reported here; these data are available from the authors by 
7

request. The δ13C data are reported as deviations in parts per thousand (‰) relative to a standard, here 

Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (V-PDB). δ13C was calculated as:

δ13C ‰ = (((13C sample/12C sample) / (13C standard/12C standard)) – 1) * 1,000. (1)

All samples were calibrated using ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). The chemical 

formula for this compound corresponds to a C content of 41.09 percent and a N content of 9.59 percent. 

Two working standards were analyzed as unknown samples in all runs to check consistency and overall 

precision: a marine sediment standard (MESS-1), issued by the Chemistry Division of the Canadian 

National Research Council, and a river sediment standard (NBS 1645), issued by the National Bureau of 

Standards, now the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Certified values were 

obtained from Govindaraju (1989). Measured values of these working standards for the IRMS that ran 

these samples are shown in table 3.

Table 3. Statistics of analyses for working standards run on the isotope ratio mass spectrometer, 2001-2008.

[Certified values: MESS-1, 2.99 percent C; NBS-1645, 0.08 percent N; SRM-1547, 2.94 percent N]

%C %N 13C

Standard Average Stdev. N Average Stdev. N Average Stdev. N

MESS-1 3.02 0.15 49 0.18 0.01 49 -25.64 0.14 49

NBS-1645 5.21 0.39 53 0.09 0.01 55 -22.29 0.27 53

SRM-1547 46.57 2.00 398 2.83 0.15 389 -26.81 0.30 134

Particle-Size Analyses

A limited number of mineral-soil samples were selected for particle-size analyses. The 

laboratory of Dr. T. Fenton, Iowa State University, processed these samples by conventional pipette 

analyses (Walter and others, 1978). Owing to the large amounts of organic matter, some of the samples 

were washed in 35 percent hydrogen peroxide three times. Even after these treatments, some organic 

matter persisted, skewing the results toward overestimation of the sand fraction. The samples for which 

organic matter may have been problematic in particle size analyses are indicated in the Notes column of 

the Tanana_Physical file. 

Elemental Analyses

Elemental concentrations within the samples were analyzed for 40 major, minor, and trace 

elements by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). These samples 

were run by the USGS Research Chemistry Core Support, supervised by Paul Lamothe. Samples were 

ashed (550 °C) and then pretreated with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and brought to dryness at low 

temperature (to help reduce the organic content and reduce reactivity). Samples were then digested 

using a mixture of hydrochloric, nitric, perchloric, and hydrofluoric acids at low temperatures. This final 

solution was introduced into the ICP-AES, where the elemental emission signals were measured 

simultaneously for the 40 elements. For more information regarding this procedure, calibration 

techniques, and its detection limits, see Briggs (2002).

Dataset Descriptions

Seven downloadable files contain the soil data collected from the sites described in this report. 

Appendix 2, Tanana File Descriptions, describes in more detail the data within the following Microsoft 

Excel files. 
8

• Tanana_Physical contains physical descriptions of the samples, such as volumetric field moisture, 

bulk density, and particle size. 

• Tanana_Chemistry contains C, N, and δ13C, and elemental analysis measurements for samples on 

which these analyses were run. 

• Tanana_Field contains the field descriptions and height above mineral-soil values. 

• Tanana_Transects contains descriptions for horizons within soil profiles that were not sampled 

(only described). 

• Tanana_Vegetation includes the percentage of cover of different understory species found around 

the TFSB plots. 

• Tanana_Density contains data pertaining to the trees measured for stand density (both PCQ and 2m 

plot methods). 

• Tanana_Woody_Debris contains the data recorded for the woody-debris measurements.

Acknowledgments

We thank Jamie Hollingsworth for incredible support in getting to and from our burn site and for 

helping with sampling; Jennie Munster, Kim Wickland, and Emily Sampson for help with sampling; 

Marilyn Walker for her assistance in classifying the vegetation at the burn site. We also thank Brian 

Schmid of Iowa State University for processing samples for particle-size analysis and to Paul Lamothe 

for overseeing the elemental analyses. We would also like to thank Kim Perkins and Mark Waldrop for 

reviewing an earlier draft of this report. This work was supported by the Bonanza Creek Long-Term 

Ecological Research program (funded jointly by National Science Foundation Grant DEB-0423442 and 

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Grant PNW01-JV11261952-231) and by the USGS

Global Change Program.

References Cited

Briggs, P.H., 2002, The determination of forty elements in geological and botanical samples by 

inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, in Taggart, Jr., J.E., ed., Analytical 

methods for chemical analysis of geologic and other materials, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open File Report 02-223, p. G1–G18.

Brown, J.K., 1974, Handbook for inventorying downed woody material: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture Forest Service INT-16, 24 p.

Committee, Canadian Agricultural Services Coordinating, 1998, The Canadian system of soil 

classification (3rd edition ed.): Ontario, NRC Canada Research Press, 187 p.

Cottam, G., and Curtis, J.T., 1956, The use of distance measures in phytosociological sampling: 

Ecology, v. 37, no. 3, p. 451–460.

Damman, A.W.H., and French, T.W., 1987, The ecology of peat bogs of the glaciated Northeastern 

United States: A community profile: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 85(7.16), 100 p.

Epting, J., Verbyla, D., and Sorbel, B., 2005, Evaluation of remotely sensed indices for assessing burn 

severity in interior Alaska using Landsat TM and ETM+: Remote Sensing of Environment, v. 

96, p. 328–339.

Govindaraju, K., 1989, Compliation of working value and sample description for 272 geostandards: 

Geostandards Newsletter, v. 13, p. 1–113.

Harmon, M.E., and Sexton, J., 1996, Guidelines for measurements of woody detritus in forest 

ecosystems: U.S. Long-Term Ecological Research Network Office U.S. Long-Term Ecological 

Research Publication No. 20, 73 p.
9

Hollingsworth, J., 2007, Active layer depths: Survey Line Fire (2004–present), Bonanza Creek LongTerm Ecological Research: University of Alaska, Fairbanks. BNZ:240, accessed January 10, 

2014, at http://www.lter.uaf.edu./data/detail.cfm?datafile_pkey=240.

Hollingsworth, T.N., Walker, M.D., Chapin, F.S., III, and Parsons, A.L., 2006, Scale-dependent 

environmental controls over species composition in Alaskan black spruce communities: 

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, v. 36, p. 1781–1796.

Johnstone, J.F., Hollingsworth, T.N., Chapin, F.S., III, and Mack, M.C., 2010, Changes in fire regime 

break the legacy lock on successional trajectories in Alaskan boreal forest: Global Change 

Biology, v. 16, p. 1281–1295.

Nadler, I.A., and Wein, R.W., 1998, A new forest floor corer for rapid sampling, minimal disturbance 

and adequate precision: Silva Fennica, v. 32, no. 4, p. 373–381.

Nalder, I.A., Wein, R.W., Alexander, M.E., and de Groot, W.J., 1999, Physical properties of dead and 

downed round-wood fules in the boreal forests of western and northern Canada.: International 

Journal of Wildland Fire, v. 9, no. 2, p. 85–99.

O'Neill, K.P., Kasischke, E.S., and Richter, D.D., 2002, Environmental controls on soil CO2 flux 

following fire in black spruce, white spruce, and aspen stand of interior Alaska: Canadian 

Journal of Forest Research, v. 32, p. 1525–1541.

Staff, S.S., 1998, Keys to soil taxonomy (8th ed.): Blacksburg, Va., Pocahontas Press, Inc., 599 p.

Verbyla, D., 2007, Fire severity estimates: 2001 Survey Line burn, Bonanza Creek Long-Term 

Ecological Research: University of Alaska, Fairbanks. BNZ:322, accessed January 10, 2014, at 

http://www.lter.uaf.edu./data/detail.cfm?datafile_pkey=322.

Walter, N.F., Hallberg, G.R., and Fenton, T.E., 1978, Particle size analysis by the Iowa State University 

Soil Survey Laboratory, in Hallberg, G.R., ed., Standard procedures for evaluation of Quaternary 

materials in Iowa.: Iowa City, Iowa, Iowa Geological Survey, p. 61–90.

Wickland, K.P., Neff, J.C., and Harden, J.W., 2010, The role of soil drainage class in carbon dioxide 

exchange and decomposition in boreal black spruce (Picea mariana) forest stands: Canadian 

Journal of Forest Research, v. 40, no. 11, p. 2123–2134.

Wickland, K.P., Striegl, R.G., Neff, J.C., and Sachs, T., 2006, Effects of permafrost melting on CO2 and 

CH4 exchange of a poorly drained black spruce lowland: Journal of Geophyiscal Research—

Atmospheres, v. 111, p. G02011.
10

Appendix 1. Sample-site Descriptions

This appendix describes the locations of each site sampled within this report. The following text 

gives general directions to each site and explains how the sites were set up. 

Each site was visited two times. The first visit was in the late spring of 2002 to scout for sites 

(the reconnaissance visit). At this time one or more cores were taken randomly within the general 

location of the site. Later, these general locations were visited again and perpendicular transects (in the 

shape of an ‘L’) were set up (typically with pink/black flagging). At this time, more intensive sampling 

occurred, and 1 m2 plots used to describe vegetation were placed along the transects, 10 m apart. 

Directions and GPS coordinates are provided for each sample site, but not each plot.

TFSB (Survey Line Burn)

Cores taken during site reconnaissance by helicopter in May 2002 were located at approximately 

lat 64.6480° N., long 148.2958° W. (NAD27 Alaska datum). All other cores were taken at the long-term 

location. This site was accessed by boat from the Tanana River. The boat was parked at approximately 

lat 64.64913° N., long 148.29828° W. (NAD83 datum). From there a GPS instrument was used to 

navigate to approximately lat 64.64913° N., long 148.29828° W. (WGS84 datum; see footnote on page 

4). This location was the junction of the two transects, along which vegetation plots were placed every 

10 m. Soil samples were taken from one of the four corners of each vegetation plot (profiles numbers 

greater than or equal to eight and divisible by four). The other three corners of the moss plots were 

described without sampling (see the Tanana_Transects file). Transects to measure woody debris and 

stand density were located along either side of the soil-sampling transects.

TFSC (Survey Line Control)

One core was taken during site reconnaissance (May 2002) and was obtained at approximately 

lat 64.6964° N., long 148.3205° W. (NAD27 Alaska datum). All other cores were taken at the longterm TFSC site. Directions to this site are as follows: with mileage based on setting the odometer to 

zero at Airport Rd. on the Parks Highway, continue on the Parks Highway for 17.8 miles; turn left into

the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site (a dirt road); stay on the main road until 22.4 miles;

take the left fork in the road; at 22.7 miles, turn right; at 23.1 miles the road splits again and the left fork 

continues to the river, veer right; park at approximately lat 64.69918° N., long 148.33193° W. (NAD83 

datum); use a GPS instrument to navigate to approximately lat 64.69744° N., long 148.31917° W.

(NAD83 datum). This area is the site of other LTER research projects, so there may be established 

trails that will get you close to this location. 

The GPS location noted above was taken at the junction of the two sampling transects. 

Vegetation plots were located along the transects every 10 m. Samples were taken from one corner of 

the plots. Along one transect these plots were located within 2–3 m of flux chambers already set up 

within the site (Wickland and others, 2010; Wickland and others, 2006). Transects to measure woody 

debris and stand density were located along either side of the soil-sampling transects.
11

Appendix 2. Tanana File Description

The following section contains brief descriptions of the data within the files associated with this 

report. These files are available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1049/. Unavailable or inapplicable data 

are indicated by a dash (—). Additional information on these sites, as well as sampling and analyses,

are presented in the main report.

Tanana_Physical

This file contains physical descriptions of the samples, such as volumetric field moisture, bulk density, 

and particle size.

Sample ID Sample identification: The first four characters indicate the site sampled. The 

number that follows these four characters indicates the soil profile within the 

site. A decimal point separates the profile number from the basal depth of the 

sample (in cm).

Depth Indicates the basal depth, in cm, of the sampling increment.

Field horizon 

code

Horizon type of the sample, as defined in the field. L, live moss; D, dead moss;

F, fibric organic matter (OM); M, mesic OM; H, humic OM; A, A mineral soil 

horizon; B, B mineral soil horizon; C, C mineral soil horizon; LT, litter; Se,

sedge; WD, wood. A lower case ‘b’ before a horizon code indicates the sample 

showed evidence of burning (for example, scorched, charred). A lower case ‘f’ 

before a horizon code indicates the sample was frozen at the time of sampling.

Sample 

description

A brief description of the sample.

Date sampled Date the sample was taken (month/day/year).

Thickness Thickness of the soil horizon (cm).

>2 mm in 

sample

Dry weight percentage (%) of soil particles not passing through a 2 mm sieve 

after gentle crushing.

>1 cm in 

sample

Dry weight percentage (%) of roots larger than 1 cm in diameter in the sample.

Bulk density 

(<2 mm)

Grams of oven-dried soil per cubic centimeter. Calculated by subtracting the 

weight of the soil particles greater than 2 mm and roots greater than 1 cm 

diameter from the total bulk density (see next column). No volume adjustment 

has been made for the fractions removed.

Total bulk 

density

Grams of oven-dried soil per cubic centimeter for the entire soil sample with no 

fractions excluded.

Vol. Fld. 

Moisture

Volumetric Field Moisture: the percentage of water in the sample, by volume.

Convert from 

AD to OD

Percentage, by weight, of moisture remaining in a sample after air-drying to 

constant weight as determined by oven-drying the sample. These data can be 

used to convert carbon and nitrogen content from an oven-dry to an air-dry 

basis using by the following equation: 

Bulk Densityair-dry = Bulk Densityoven dry / (1 – (CovertAD to OD/100))

Sand Percentage, by weight of soil particles greater than 0.05 mm in the sample 

remaining after removal of particles greater than 2 mm and roots greater than 1 

cm diameter.
12

Coarse silt Percentage, by weight, of soil particles ranging in size from 0.02 to 0.05 mm in 

the sample remaining after removal of particles greater than 2 mm and roots 

greater than 1 cm diameter.

Fine silt Percentage, by weight, of soil particles ranging in size from 0.002 to 0.020 mm 

in the sample remaining after removal of particles greater than 2 mm and roots 

greater than 1 cm diameter.

Clay Percentage, by weight, of soil particles less than 0.002 mm in the sample 

remaining after removal of particles greater than 2 mm and roots greater than 1 

cm diameter.

Notes OM+ indicates that residual organic matter in the sample may have skewed 

particle-size results toward increased sand and (or) coarse silt; OM indicates 

residual organic matter in sample, but likely not enough to skew particle-size 

results.

Tanana_Chemistry

This file contains C, N, δ13C, and elemental analysis measurements for samples on which these analyses 

were run.

Sample ID Sample identification: The first four characters indicate the site sampled. 

The number that follows these four characters indicates the soil profile 

within the site. A decimal point separates the profile number from the basal 

depth of the sample (in cm).

Basal depth Indicates the basal depth, in cm, of the sampling increment.

Field horizon 

code

Horizon type of the sample, as defined in the field. L, live moss; D, dead 

moss; F, fibric organic matter (OM); M, mesic OM, H, humic OM; A, A 

mineral soil horizon; B, B mineral soil horizon; C, C mineral soil horizon; 

LT, litter; Se, sedge; WD, wood. A lower case ‘b’ before a horizon code 

indicates the sample showed evidence of burning (for example, scorched, 

charred). A lower case ‘f’ before a horizon code indicates the sample was 

frozen at the time of sampling.

Sample 

description

A brief description of the sample.

%C Percentage, by weight, of carbon in an oven-dried soil sample with 

material greater than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed. 

%N Percentage, by weight, of nitrogen in an oven-dried soil sample with 

material greater than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

δ13C Per mil (‰) value of δ13C relative to Pee Dee Belemnite.

Al Percentage, by weight, of aluminum in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ca Percentage, by weight, of calcium in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Fe Percentage, by weight, of iron in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

K Percentage, by weight, of potassium in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.
13

Mg Percentage, by weight, of magnesium in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Na Percentage, by weight, of sodium in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

P Percentage, by weight, of phosphorus in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ti Percentage, by weight, of titanium in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ag Parts per million of silver in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm 

or 1 cm diameter removed.

As Parts per million of arsenic in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Au Parts per million of gold in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm 

or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ba Parts per million of barium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Bi Parts per million of bismuth in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Cd Parts per million of cadmium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ce Parts per million of cerium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Co Parts per million of cobalt in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm 

or 1 cm diameter removed.

Cr Parts per million of chromium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Cu Parts per million of copper in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Eu Parts per million of europium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ga Parts per million of gallium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ho Parts per million of holmium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

La Parts per million of lanthanum in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Li Parts per million of lithium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Mn Parts per million of manganese in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Mo Parts per million of molybdenum in a soil sample with material greater 

than 2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Nb Parts per million of niobium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Nd Parts per million of neodymium in a soil sample with material greater than 

2 mm or 1 cm diameter removed.
14

Ni Parts per million of nickel in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm 

or 1 cm diameter removed.

Pb Parts per million of lead in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm 

or 1 cm diameter removed.

Sc Parts per million of scandium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Sn Parts per million of tin in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm or 

1 cm diameter removed.

Sr Parts per million of strontium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Ta Parts per million of tantalum in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Th Parts per million of thorium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

U Parts per million of uranium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

V Parts per million of vanadium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Y Parts per million of yttrium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Yb Parts per million of ytterbium in a soil sample with material greater than 2 

mm or 1 cm diameter removed.

Zn Parts per million of zinc in a soil sample with material greater than 2 mm 

or 1 cm diameter removed.

Tanana_Field

This file contains the field descriptions of sampled soil profiles. (Descriptions of soil profiles 

which were not sampled, and only described in the field, can be found in the Tanana_Transects file.)

Sample ID Sample identification: The first four characters indicate the site sampled. The 

number that follows these four characters indicates the soil profile within the 

site. A decimal point separates the profile number from the basal depth of the 

sample (in cm).

Basal depth Indicates the basal depth, in cm, of the sampling increment.

Field horizon 

code

Horizon type of the sample, as defined in the field. L, live moss; D, dead 

moss; F, fibric organic matter (OM); M, mesic OM; H, humic OM; A, A 

mineral soil horizon; B, B mineral soil horizon; C, C mineral soil horizon; LT, 

litter; Se, sedge; WD, wood. A lower case ‘b’ before a horizon code indicates 

the sample showed evidence of burning (for example scorched, charred). A 

lower case ‘f’ before a horizon code indicates the sample was frozen at the 

time of sampling.

Sample 

description

A brief description of the sample.

Roots Root abundance and size using conventions of USDA-ARS (Staff, 1998).
15

Lab pH The pH of the sample, determined in the lab, by using a LaMotte pH kit.

Moist Munsell 

color 

Color of moist soil based on the Munsell soil color chart. If the word dry is 

written after the color then the color was identified dry (not moist).

Von Post or 

Texture class

If organic soil, the classification was made by using the von Post scale of 

humification (Damman and French, 1987). If mineral soil, the soil-texture 

was determined by following conventions of the USDA-ARS (Staff, 1998).

Plasticity Plasticity was determined following the conventions of the USDA-ARS 

(Staff, 1998).

Stickiness Stickiness was determined following the conventions of the USDA-ARS 

(Staff, 1998).

Firmness Moist consistence was determined following the conventions of the USDAARS (Staff, 1998).

Structure Grade, size, strength, and type of soil structure were determined following the 

conventions of the USDA-ARS (Staff, 1998).

Height above 

mineral

Height of each basal depth above the mineral-soil boundary; therefore, the 

bottom organic layer is at zero and all mineral horizons are negative numbers.

Tanana_Transects

This file contains descriptions of the soil profiles that were not sampled, but were described in the field.

Sample ID Sample identification: The first four characters indicate the site sampled. The 

number that follows these four characters indicates the soil profile within the 

site. A decimal point separates the profile number from the basal depth of the 

sample (in cm).

Basal depth Indicates the basal depth, in cm, of sampling increment.

Field horizon 

code

Horizon type of the sample, as defined in the field. L, live moss; D, dead 

moss; F, fibric organic matter (OM); M, mesic OM; H, humic OM; A, A 

mineral soil horizon; B, B mineral soil horizon; C, C mineral soil horizon; LT, 

litter; Se, sedge; WD, wood. A lower case ‘b’ before a horizon code indicates 

the sample showed evidence of burning (for example scorched, charred). A 

lower case ‘f’ before a horizon code indicates the sample was frozen at the 

time of sampling.

Sample 

description

A brief description of the sample.

Plot description Information regarding where the profile was along the transect, who did the 

description, the date it was described, and the depth of any water and 

permafrost found.

Roots Root abundance and size determined by using conventions of the USDA-ARS 

(Staff, 1998).

Moist Munsell 

color 

Color of moist soil based on the Munsell soil color chart. If the word dry is 

written after the color, then the color was identified dry (not moist).

Von Post or 

texture

If organic soil, the classification was made by using the von Post scale of 

humification (Damman and French, 1987). If mineral soil, the soil-texture 

was determined by following conventions of the USDA-ARS (Staff, 1998).

Plasticity Plasticity was determined following the conventions of the USDA-ARS 
16

(Staff, 1998).

Stickiness Stickiness was determined following the conventions of the USDA-ARS 

(Staff, 1998).

Firmness Moist consistence was determined following the conventions of the USDAARS (Staff, 1998).

Structure Grade, size, strength, and type of soil structure were determined following the 

conventions of the USDA-ARS (Staff, 1998).

Height above 

mineral

Height of each basal depth above the mineral soil-boundary; therefore, the 

bottom organic layer is at zero and all mineral horizons are negative numbers.

Tanana_Understory

This file contains cover values percentages for different understory species found around the TFSB 

plots. 

Plot ID Where the plot was located, based on the distance from the junction of the two 

transect and the general direction the transect traveled. These are the same 

locations where soil samples/descriptions occurred.

Betula 

nana Percentage cover range of Betula nana.

Calamagrostis 

canadensis Percentage cover range of Calamagrostis canadensis.

Chamaedaphne 

calyculata Percentage cover range of Chamaedaphne calyculata.

Corydalis 

sempervirens

Percentage cover range of Corydalis sempervirens.

Ditrichum 

sp.

Percentage cover range of Ditrichum sp.

Epilobium 

angustifolium

Percentage cover range of Epilobium angustifolium.

Eriophorum 

vaginatum

Percentage cover range of Eriophorum vaginatum.

Ledum 

groendlandicum

Percentage cover range of Ledum groendlandicum.

Luzula 

rufescens

Percentage cover range of Luzula rufescens.

Marchantia 

polymorpha

Percentage cover range of Marchantia polymorpha.

Stellaria longipes 

(?)

Percentage cover range of Stellaria sp., what is thought to be Stellaria 

longipes.

Picea mariana 

(seedlings)

Percentage cover range of Picea mariana seedlings.
17

Polemonium 

acutiflorum

Percentage cover range of Polemonium acutiflorum.

Polytrichum 

juniperinum

Percentage cover range of Polytrichum juniperinum.

Salix 

sp.

Percentages cover range of Salix sp.

Unkown Percentages cover range of unknown vegetation.

Vaccinium 

uligonosum

Percentages cover range of Vaccinium uligonosum.

Vaccinium vitisidaeaPercentages cover range of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.

Tanana_Density

This file contains data pertaining to tree-stand density. There are four worksheets in this file: 2-m plot 

data for each site and point-center quarter (PCQ) data for each site. The column heading for the 2-m plot 

data are as follows:

Site The plot number (sequentially assigned) where the data were taken.

Species Tree species found (BS, black spruce; TA, tamarack)

DBH The diameter (cm) of the tree taken at breast height (1.37 m). A dash indicates 

that the tree was shorter than 1.37 m.

Diam at base The diameter (cm) at the base of the tree.

Ht to live The height (m) to the live portion of the tree. This value, in relation to the 

height to crown (next column), gives an idea of tree health.

Ht to crown The height (m) to the crown of the tree.

Condition The condition of the tree: L, live; D, dead; S, dead snag.

Notes Notes regarding the condition of the tree or measurements.

The column headings for the PCQ data are as follows:

Location The plot number (sequentially assigned) where the data were taken.

Tree Tree number (1–4)

Species Tree species found (BS, black spruce; TA, tamarack)

DBH The diameter (cm) of the tree taken at breast height (1.37 m). A dash indicates 

that the tree was shorter than 1.37 m.

Diam at base The diameter (cm) at the base of the tree.

Ht to live The height (m) to the live portion of the tree. This value, in relation to the 

height to crown (next column), gives an idea of tree health.

Ht to crown The height (m) to the crown of the tree.

Distance Distance (m) from the center point to the tree.

Condition The condition of the tree: L, live; D, dead; S, dead snag.

Avg Dist Average distance for all four trees at a point.
18

Mean area Mean area taken up by the trees measured, as described by Cottam and Curtis 

(1956), where the average distance is divided by a correction factor (0.50 for 

one tree, 0.66 for two trees, 0.81 for three trees, and 1.00 for four trees), and 

this value is squared.

Density Density (trees/hectare) for the trees found at the point, as described by Cottam 

and Curtis (1956), where density is the 1/Mean Area. This value is multiplied 

by 10,000 to convert from meters to hectares.

Notes Notes regarding the condition of the tree or measurements.

Tanana_Woody_Debris

This file contains data pertaining to the woody-debris measurements. There are five worksheets in this 

file. The two worksheets with the data for fine woody debris are labeled TFSC <7 and TFSB <7 and 

follow this format:

Site Transect number measured.

Type Above, aboveground woody debris, <50% covered by organic soil; roots 

above, tree root <50% covered by organic material; below, belowground 

woody debris, 50-99% covered by organic soil; roots below, tree root 50-99% 

covered by organic soil.

Size class The diameter (cm) of fine woody debris is classified into one of several size 

classes: 1 is 0.0–0.49 cm; 2 is 0.50–0.99 cm; 3 is 1.0–2.99 cm; 4 is 3.0–4.99

cm; and 5 is 5.0–6.99 cm.

Sect. 1 Observations found for that size class for section 1 of the transect.

Sect. 2 Observations found for that size class for section 2 of the transect.

Sect. 3 Observations found for that size class for section 3 of the transect.

Sect. 4 Observations found for that size class for section 4 of the transect.

All Sect. The sum of observations for all sections on a transect.

Per 1m The total number of observations for that size class divided by the number of 

meters on a transect (usually 20 m).

TA Mult. Tamarack fuel-load multiplier, which combines the effects of specific gravity, 

the tilt angle of the woody debris, and the mean squared diameter on the 

conversion of the number of intercepts to fuel load (see Nalder and others, 

1999; this value is taken from table 6 for the Central Saskatchewan region, for 

the appropriate size class).

BS Mult. Black spruce multiplier, which combines the effects of specific gravity, the tilt 

angle of the woody debris, and the mean squared diameter on the conversion 

of the number of intercepts to fuel load (see Nalder and others, 1999; this 

value is taken from Table 6 for the Central Saskatchewan region, for the 

appropriate size class).

% TA Percentage of the stand that is tamarak, as determined by the point-centerquarter method.

% BS Percentage of the stand that is black spruce, as determined by the point-centerquarter method.

TA (kg/ha) Amount of tamarack fine woody debris (kg/ha).

BS (kg/ha) Amount of black spruce fine woody debris (kg/ha).
19

Total (kg/ha) Tamarack plus black spruce fine woody debris (kg/ha).

All sizes Total fine woody debris for that transect (both tree species and all size 

classes).

The worksheet with the data for coarse woody debris is labeled >7 All and follows this format:

Site Transect number measured.

Transect # On which transect the coarse wood was measured.

# of sections Number of sections within that transect.

Sp Species of coarse wood

Line # Section or line # (for relocation)

Decay class The >7 cm pieces were recorded as one of five decay classes: (1) Bark and 

wood intact, knife unable to penetrate samples; (2) wood beginning to get 

mealy, still hard for knife to penetrate sample; (3) wood mealy throughout, 

knife can penetrate sample somewhat; (4) wood can be broken into pieces, 

knife easily penetrates sample; (5) sample no longer holds shape and splits 

into small pieces. Debris that was decay classes 1–3 was assumed to be sound. 

Debris that was decay classes 4–5 was assumed to rotten. This cutoff can be 

manipulated within the spreadsheet by adjusting the decay class value at 

which debris changes to “rotten” (see cell AB4).

Location A, above ground, <50% covered by organic soil; B = belowground, 50-99% 

covered by organic soil.

Diam (cm) Diameter (in cm) of the coarse wood.

Diam (m) Calculated by converting previous column to meters.

Diam2 (m) Calculated by squaring previous column.

BS Above sound Calculated based on if-then statements. If species, decay class, and location 

(above/below) match, the diam2 value gets placed into this column. This value 

is summed for each transect (subsequent rows, labeled Sum of diam2

) and then 

converted to coarse wood inventory (I, kg/ha) by using the following formula:

I=(G * 1.234 * ∑(diam2))/(# sections * 5 m) * 1,000 g/kg * 10,000 m/ha,

where G is G factor (g/cm3) and 1.234 is a constant to convert volume to 

kg/m2. The G factors for sound wood are based on size class 5 values for each 

species for the Southern Northwest Territories (Nalder and others, 1999). See 

the description in the Decay column for more information regarding the decay 

classes used and the distinction between sound and rotten wood.

BS Above rotten Calculated based on if-then statements. If species, decay class, and location 

(above/below) match, the diam2 value gets placed into this column. This value 

is summed for each transect (subsequent rows, labeled Sum of diam2) and then 

converted to coarse wood inventory (I, kg/ha) by using the following formula:

I=(G * 1.234 * ∑(diam2))/(# sections * 5 m) * 1,000 g/kg * 10,000 m/ha,

where G is G factor (g/cm3) and 1.234 is a constant to convert volume to 

kg/m2. The G factors for rotten wood are obtained from two samples of 

decaying wood from Thompson, Manitoba, based on thoughts that values by

Brown (1974) are too high (M. Harmon, oral commun.). See the description 

of the Decay column for more information regarding the decay classes used 

and the distinction between sound and rotten wood.

BS Below sound Calculated based on if-then statements. If species, decay class, and location 
20

(above/below) match, the diam2 value gets placed into this column. This value 

is summed for each transect (subsequent rows, labeled Sum of diam2) and then 

converted to coarse wood inventory (I, kg/ha) by using the following formula:

I=(G * 1.234 * ∑(diam2))/(# sections * 5 m) * 1,000 g/kg * 10,000 m/ha,

where G is G factor (g/cm3) and 1.234 is a constant to convert volume to 

kg/m2. The G factors for sound wood are based on size class 5 values for each 

species for the Southern Northwest Territories (Nalder and others, 1999). See 

the description in the Decay column for more information regarding the decay 

classes used and the distinction between sound and rotten wood.

BS Below rotten Calculated based on if-then statements. If species, decay class, and location 

(above/below) match, the diam2 value gets placed into this column. This value 

is summed for each transect (subsequent rows, labeled Sum of diam2) and then 

converted to coarse wood inventory (I, kg/ha) by using the following formula:

I=(G * 1.234 * ∑(diam2))/(# sections * 5 m) * 1,000 g/kg * 10,000 m/ha,

where G is G factor (g/cm3) and1.234 is a constant to convert volume to 

kg/m2

. The G factors for rotten wood are obtained from two samples of 

decaying wood from Thompson, Manitoba, based on thoughts that values by 

Brown (1974) are too high (M. Harmon, oral commun.). See the description 

of the Decay column for more information regarding the decay classes used 

and the distinction between sound and rotten wood.

TA Above sound Calculations for above-ground, sound, tamarack woody debris. See 

explanation for BS Above sound for more information.

TA Above rotten Calculations for above-ground, rotten, tamarack woody debris. See 

explanation for BS Above rotten for more information.

TA Below sound Calculations for below-ground, sound, tamarack woody debris. See 

explanation for BS Below sound for more information.

TA Below rotten Calculations for below-ground, rotten, tamarack woody debris. See 

explanation for BS Below rotten for more information.

Unknown Above 

sound

Calculations for above-ground, sound woody debris of an unknown species. 

See explanation for BS Above sound for more information.

Unknown Above 

rotten

Calculations for above-ground, rotten woody debris of an unknown species. 

See explanation for BS Above rotten for more information.

Unknown Below 

sound

Calculations for below-ground, sound woody debris of an unknown species. 

See explanation for BS Below sound for more information.

Unknown Below 

rotten

Calculations for below-ground, rotten woody debris of an unknown species. 

See explanation for BS Below rotten for more information.

Above Total 

(kg/ha)

Total above ground course woody debris (kg/ha).

Below Total 

(kg/ha)

Total below ground coarse woody debris (kg/ha).

All Total (kg/ha) Total coarse woody debris (kg/ha).