Multiple Element Limitation in Northern Hardwood Ecosystems (MELNHE): Soil Profile Rock Characteristics by Bedrock Type in Bartlett and Hubbard Brook, 2004-2018

Soils in our northeastern forests were formed in parent materials deposited by glaciers. The direction and distance of glacial movement can be used to predict the source of glacial till at “downstream” points on the landscape (Bailey 1992). The goal of this project was to identify the rocks excavated from the soil pits in each of the plots and then to use that data to validate the glacial till model. The minority of rocks in the soil pits matched the bedrock, showing the importance of glacial movement. Additional detail on the MELNHE project, including a data table of site descriptions and a pdf file with the project description and diagram of plot configuration can be found in this data package: https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-hbr&identifier=344. These data were gathered as part of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES). The HBES is a collaborative effort at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Literature cited: Bailey, S.W., 1992. Lithologic composition and rock weathering potential of forested, glacial-till soils (Vol. 662). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station.