Concrete Frost along an Elevational Gradient in New Hampshire

Abstract

The occurrence and duration of concrete frost were observed at 28 forested sites along an elevational gradient on a New Hampshire mountain. The presence of concrete frost was determined with an aluminum probe on 17 dates between November 1973 and June 1974. Concrete frost was found at all sample points in soils of coniferous forest ecosystems above 950-m elevation from mid-November to mid-May; some concrete frost remained into early June. Concrete frost occurred at most sample points in soils of transition zone forests that were composed of mixed hardwoods and conifers for 4 months, in soils of northern hardwoods forests for 2 months, and in soils of successional fir stands at low elevations for 4 months. Winter weather conditions and differences in leaf litter insulation probably accounted for the variation of soil frost beneath these forest types.