From 'purpose' section: 'The principal objective of research conducted by the Forest Soils Laboratory is to provide information which will aid in understanding selected aspects of tree growth and forest development in the unique environment encountered in subarctic Alaska. Emphasis is placed on physical, chemical and biological soil properties and processes in relation to tree growth and forest development. This objective is approached through the study of nutrient cycles (cycles of nutritionally important chemical elements) in selected forest types in interior Alaska. The importance of such perturbations to forest ecosystems (systems formed by interaction of communities of organisms with their environment) as intensive forest management practices and fire are being considered within this framework.'