Soilscape of Mosquito soil; Fairbanks area of Alaska
The Mosquito series (a hydric soil) is very shallow to moderately deep, very poorly drained soils over permafrost. They formed in silty alluvium or organic matter over alluvium in regions of groundwater discharge on alluvial plains in broad valleys and flats. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent.
Hydric soils are formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Federal Register, 1994). Most hydric soils exhibit characteristic morphologies that result from repeated periods of saturation or inundation that last more than a few days.
To download the latest version of "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils" and additional technical references, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=s...
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, subgelic Ruptic Histoturbels
Groundwater discharge neutralizes organic acids in the organic horizon, and results in a higher pH of these horizons than in most other Ruptic Histoturbels in this region. Because permafrost is relatively impermeable, groundwater must be discharged through associated unfrozen soils.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mosquito soils are used for wildlife habitat and watershed protection. Soil drainage is not improved sufficiently by clearing to allow agricultural use. The soils support forest of tamarack and black spruce, with shrub birch and cottonsedge in the understory.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRA 229, Interior Alaska Lowlands. The series is of moderate extent.
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MOSQUITO.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soilscape of Mosquito soil; Fairbanks area of Alaska
The Mosquito series (a hydric soil) is very shallow to moderately deep, very poorly drained soils over permafrost. They formed in silty alluvium or organic matter over alluvium in regions of groundwater discharge on alluvial plains in broad valleys and flats. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent.
Hydric soils are formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Federal Register, 1994). Most hydric soils exhibit characteristic morphologies that result from repeated periods of saturation or inundation that last more than a few days.
To download the latest version of "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils" and additional technical references, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=s...
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, subgelic Ruptic Histoturbels
Groundwater discharge neutralizes organic acids in the organic horizon, and results in a higher pH of these horizons than in most other Ruptic Histoturbels in this region. Because permafrost is relatively impermeable, groundwater must be discharged through associated unfrozen soils.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mosquito soils are used for wildlife habitat and watershed protection. Soil drainage is not improved sufficiently by clearing to allow agricultural use. The soils support forest of tamarack and black spruce, with shrub birch and cottonsedge in the understory.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRA 229, Interior Alaska Lowlands. The series is of moderate extent.
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MOSQUITO.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit: