Biocomplexity of Frost-Boil Ecosystems Snow Data Report Alaska North Slope, April 2004 M. K. Raynolds, D. A. Walker, C. R. Martin Alaska Geobotany Center Institute of Arctic Biology University of Alaska-Fairbanks Fairbanks, Alaska 99775 December, 2004 Table Of Contents Introduction..............................................................1 Methods...................................................................1 Relevé Snow Depth.........................................................1 Grid Snow Depths..........................................................1 Snow Density And Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) At The Grids.................1 Heave.....................................................................2 Snow Profiles.............................................................2 Happy Valley 1 X 1 Km Grid And Permanent Plots............................2 Results...................................................................2 Literature Cited..........................................................3 Acknowledgements..........................................................3 Tables....................................................................4 Table 1. Relevé Snow Depths , North Slope, 13-15 April 2004 (Measured By Anja Kade)..........................................4 Table 2. Snow Depth Measurements (Cm) On The 10 X 10 M Biocomplexity Grids, April 2004..................................7 Table 3. Detailed Depth And Density Measured On The Four Sides Of The 10 X 10 M Biocomplexity Grids, April 2004.......................12 Table 4. Depth, Snow Water Equivalent (Swe), And Snow Density At The Biocomplexity Grids, April 2004................................ 14 Table 5. Snow Profiles At Biocomplexity Grid Sites, April 2004...........14 Table 6. Snow Depths At Happy Valley 1 X 1 Km Grid, April 2004...........17 Table 7. Snow Depths At Happy Valley Permanent Plots, April 2004.........18 Figures..................................................................20 Figure 1. Mean Snow Depth (Cm) On 10 X 10 M Grids, North Slope, Alaska, April 2004 (N = 121).................................20 Figure 2. Mean Snow Density (G/Cm3 +/- S.E.) On 10 X 10 M Grids, North Slope, Alaska, April 2004 (N = 4)............... 20 Figure 5. Snow Depths Of The 10 X 10 M Grids, North Slope, Alaska, April 2004........ 21 Figure 6. Snow Depths On Happy Valley 1 Km X 1 Km Grid, May 2004.......22 Appendix A. Photographs..................................................23 Appendix B. Data Collection Forms........................................25 Appendix C. Classification Of Snow Crystals (Colbeck Et Al. 1992)........28 Introduction This data report is a summary of snow-survey information collected during a trip to the Arctic Slope April 12-15, 2004. The data were all collected as part of the Biocomplexity of Frost-Boil Ecosystems study (Walker et al. 2004). Snow is an important factor affecting soil-surface temperatures during the winter. These data will be used to help model the influence of snow on frost heave. Members of the survey team included Martha Raynolds, Anja Kade, and Christine Martin, all from the Alaska Geobotany Center and UAF student volunteer Nathan Shoutis, The data collected included: 1. Snow depth and soil temperature information from 97 of the 117 permanent plots (relevés) that are part of a vegetation classification study. 2. Snow density and snow-water-equivalent (SWE) measurements from the midpoints of the four sides of each of ten 10x10-m grids at Happy Valley, Sagwon, Franklin Bluffs, and Deadhorse. We were not able to access the grids on B.P.-leasedands at West Dock, and Howe Island, because we did not have B.P.'s "authorization to proceed". 3. Snow depths at every meter within each of the ten grids. 4. Snow profile descriptions from each of the ten grids. 5. Heave measurements from iron re-bar at relevé sites and V. Romanovsky heave meters 6. Snow depth measurements every 100 m within 1 x 1 km plot and at 45 permanent plots at Happy Valley. Happy Valley 1 x 1 km grid and permanent plots During 22-24 April 2004, snow depths were measured every 100 m within a 1 x 1 km grid at Happy Valley. Measurements were made by Skip Walker and Joe Bickley. The large grid includes the dry, moist and wet 10 x 10 m grids. At each site, marked by a 2 m-tall plastic pipe, depth was measured at 4 sites around the stake. Snow depth at three sites could not be measured because seismic vehicle traffic had compacted the snow. Snow depths were also measured at permanent plots which had been subjectively chosen to represent the range of vegetation types occurring in the Happy Valley area. Forty-five of the original 55 permanent plots were located, and five depth measurements were taken at each plot, one at the stake marking the plot and four surrounding it.