Soil parameters and carbon content in acidic and non-acidic tundra, Toolik, Alaska (2021)

The goal of this study was to measure the moisture content, carbon and nitrogen content, and soil pH in differing soil pH and soil moisture conditions. Soils were collected over the summer of 2021 along two tundra hillslopes (one acidic and one non-acidic) near Toolik Lake. Each study hillslope had three sites with soil moisture conditions delineated as Dry, Mesic, and Wet, with three replicate 5 x 5 meter (m) plots at each site. Two soil samples were collected from each replicate plot at three sampling events over the summer of 2021. Soils were extracted using a 2-inch stainless steel corer. Upon return from the field, one soil sample was measured for soil pH and the other was frozen and analyzed for moisture content, organic matter content, carbon-nitrogen ratios at a later date.