Temperature and Soil Moisture Regimes In and Adjacent to the Fernow Experimental Forest

Jerry T. Crews; Linton Wright

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-713

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Temperature and Soil Moisture Regimes In and Adjacent to the Fernow Experimental Forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jerry T. Crews, Linton Wright

Year:

2000

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-713

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-713, Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.

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Abstract

The effects of elevation, aspect, ambient air temperature, and soil moisture on soil temperature were examined in and adjacent to the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia to determine the extent of frigid soils. The mean annual temperature of frigid soils ranges from 1? to 7?C at a depth of 50 cm; the difference between mean winter and mean summer temperatures exceeds 5?C. Soil temperature and moisture were measured and data on air temperature were collected at study sites on or near the Fernow from December 1994 to December 1997. Readings were taken 6 times during the year (January, February, June, July, August, and December) and the mean annual and seasonal soil temperatures were calculated. The winter (December-February) and summer (June-August) mean soil temperatures at each site were used to determine the extent of frigid soils. One soil was classified as frigid for 2 consecutive years.

Keywords

Forest soils, mesic soils, aspect, elevation

Citation

Crews, Jerry T.; Wright, Linton. 2000. Temperature and Soil Moisture Regimes In and Adjacent to the Fernow Experimental Forest. Res. Pap. NE-713, Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.