On 7 August 1997, we collected 5.2-cm diameter soil cores (up to 30 cm depth depending on depth of thaw) from six randomly selected locations (between tussocks) at each site. The cores were separated into organic and mineral horizons, all live plant material and coarse roots were removed, and each horizon from each core was homogenized separately. Dried and ground soils (using a coffee grinder) for each horizon and from each of the six locations at each site were analyzed for total phosphorus (P), calcium (C)a, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and aluminum (Al) using nitric acid digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Emissions Spectometry (ICP, Applied Research Laboratory 3560) (US Environmental Protection Agency 1992).

Reference Citations: "Hobbie, SE and L Gough. In press. Foliar and soil nutrients in tundra on glacial landscapes of contrasting ages in northern Alaska. Oecologia