Permafrost table depth in Alaska 2014 July

Permafrost table depth is one of critical factors for forest stand structure in Interior Alaska. We examined the relationship between permafrost depth in the growing season and forest biomass accumulation along the northeast-facing slope in Caribou-Poker Creek Research Watershed. Three black spruce stands were selected for meassurements of permafrost depth using penetration test meter. Nine points were tested in 5 meter-latice design on the forest floor. Upper slope position showed deeper permafrost table, and shallower permafrost existed in the lower position of the slope. The most less biomass accumulation stands was on the true north-facing slope.

永冻层顶板深度（Permafrost table depth）是阿拉斯加内陆森林林分结构的核心因子之一。本研究探讨了Caribou-Poker Creek研究流域内，生长季永冻层深度与沿东北坡森林生物量积累之间的关系。选取三个黑云杉林分，采用贯入测试仪测定永冻层深度；在林地以5米网格设计布设9个测点开展测试。结果显示，上坡位的永冻层顶板更深，下坡位的永冻层则更浅；生物量积累最少的林分位于正北坡。