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A soil profile of a Endoaqualf in Wyoming. The dark surface layer is an umbric epipedon. The subsoil has the characteristic gray and red mottled color pattern that indicates the presence of aquic conditions. (Soil Survey Staff. 2015. Illustrated guide to Soil Taxonomy. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska)
Endoaqualfs are saturated throughout the profile for some time during the year. The ground water fluctuates from a level near the soil surface to below the argillic subsoil horizon and is sometimes below a depth of 200 cm. Before cultivation, most Endoaqualfs supported either deciduous broadleaf or coniferous forest. They are generally nearly level, and their parent materials are typically late-Pleistocene sediments.
For additional information about soil classification, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...
Depth class: very deep
Drainage class: somewhat poorly
Parent material: stratified silty and sandy alluvium overlying sand and gravel
Landform: floodplains
Slope: 0 to 2 percent
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, nonacid Aquic Cryofluvents
Depth to sand and gravel ranges from 20 to 40 inches (50 to 102 cm). Organic carbon content decreases irregularly with depth. The texture of the upper part of the control section is stratified silt loam, very fine sandy loam, fine sandy loam and very fine sand with a weighted average of more than 15 percent fine sand or coarser and less than 18 percent clay. This material contains significant amounts of mica but less than 25 percent. Texture of the lower part of the control section is sand or loamy sand with coarse fragments ranging from 0 to 70 percent.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are in native forest consisting of white spruce, cottonwood and quaking aspen with alder shrubs. A water table is present at a depth of 3 to 6 feet for some period in most summers, allowing capillary rise of water into the soil profile.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRA 229 Interior Alaska Lowlands. The series is of minor extent.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/P/PILEDRIVER.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of an Ultisol from the Cerado physiographic region--a vast tropical savanna ecoregion of Brazil, particularly in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Tocantins, Minas Gerais and the Federal District of Brazil. (Horizonation is by Brazil soil classification system.)
Ultisols, commonly known as red clay soils, are one of twelve soil orders in the United States Department of Agriculture soil taxonomy. The word "Ultisol" is derived from "ultimate", because Ultisols were seen as the ultimate product of continuous weathering of minerals in a humid, temperate climate without new soil formation via glaciation. Ultisols occur in humid temperate or tropical regions. While the term is usually applied to the red clay soils of the Southern United States, Ultisols are also found in regions of Africa, Asia, and South America.
In the Brazil soil classification system, these soils are Argissolos. They are identified by a noticeable clay content and clay films increase in lower horizons and the degree of structural development. They have a low nutrient capacity and are very like Latossolos in low natural fertility characteristics. Argissolos occupy approximately 20% of Brazil's soils.
For additional information about these soils, visit:
sites.google.com/site/soil350brazilsoilsla/soil-formation...
and...
For additional information about U.S. soil classification, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/class...
Landscape: Low and intermediate mountains
Landform: Mountain slope and ridges
Geomorphic Component: Mountain top, mountain flank, and side slope
Hillslope Profile Position: Summit, shoulder, and backslope
Parent Material Origin: Metasedimentary rock such as arkose, metagraywacke, metasandstone, or quartzite.
Parent Material Kind: Residuum that is affected by soil creep in the upper solum.
Slope: Typically 15 to 75 percent, but range from 8 to 95 percent.
Elevation: 366 to 1,463 meters; (1,200 to 4,800 feet)
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, semiactive, mesic Typic Dystrudepts
Solum Thickness: 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 inches)
Depth to Bedrock: 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 inches) to unweathered bedrock (lithic).
Depth Class: Moderately Deep
Rock Fragment content: 5 to 30 percent, by volume, throughout.
Soil Reaction: Extremely acid to strongly acid, except where limed.
Content of Mica: None or few throughout
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Woodland, occasionally pasture and rarely hayland
Dominant Vegetation: Where wooded--chestnut oak, scarlet oak, hickory, red maple, Virginia pine, pitch pine, and few eastern white pine and hemlock. Understory includes mountain laurel, flowering dogwood, sourwood, black locust, and greenbrier. Where cleared--areas are used mainly for wildlife plantings, occasionally pasture and rarely hayland.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Southern Blue Ridge (MLRA 130-B) of Tennessee and North Carolina.
Extent: Large--More than 100,000 acres.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/D/DITNEY.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A profile of a Sumter soil. Sumter soils formed in silty and clayey residuum weathered from chalk. These well drained, alkaline soils have chalk bedrock that can be dug by light machinery at a depth of 50 to 100 centimeters. The landscape is an area of general soil map unit Sumter-Demopolis-Faunsdale. Areas of this map unit cover about 21,200 acres in the southern part of Hale County, Alabama. The dominant soils formed in materials weathered from chalk and are alkaline throughout. Most areas are used for pasture or hayland. (Soil Survey of Hale County, Alabama by Christopher Z. Ford and MacArthur C. Harris, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
These are dominantly nearly level to moderately sloping, well drained and somewhat poorly drained soils that have a loamy surface layer and a loamy or clayey subsoil; on uplands.
Setting
Location in the survey area: Southern part
Landform: Hillslopes and ridges
Landform position: Sumter and Demopolis—summits, shoulder slopes, side slopes,
and knolls; Faunsdale—concave slopes and toeslopes
Slope: Dominantly 1 to 8 percent, but ranges from 1 to 12 percent
Percent of the survey area: 5
Sumter soils: 40 percent
Demopolis soils: 20 percent
Faunsdale and similar soils: 20 percent
Minor soils: 20 percent, including Kipling, Okolona, Oktibbeha, Sucarnoochee,
Vaiden, and Watsonia soils
Soil Characteristics
Sumter
Surface layer: Dark grayish brown silty clay loam
Subsurface layer: Grayish brown silty clay
Subsoil: Upper part—pale olive silty clay that has many soft masses of calcium
carbonate; lower part—light yellowish brown silty clay that has many soft masses
of calcium carbonate
Substratum: Light yellowish brown chalk
Depth class: Moderately deep
Drainage class: Well drained
Depth to seasonal high water table: More than 6 feet
Slope: 1 to 12 percent
Parent material: Silty and clayey residuum weathered from chalk
Use and Management
Major uses: Aquaculture, cropland, pasture, hayland, and woodland
Cropland
Management concerns: Sumter and Demopolis—erodibility, restricted use of equipment, rooting depth, and tilth; Faunsdale—erodibility, restricted use of equipment, wetness, and tilth
Pasture and hayland
Management concerns: Sumter and Demopolis—restricted use of equipment, rooting depth, and tilth; Faunsdale—restricted use of equipment, wetness, and tilth
Woodland
Management concerns: Restricted use of equipment, seedling survival, and
competition from undesirable plants
Urban development
Management concerns: Sumter—depth to rock, restricted permeability, shrink-swell potential, and low strength; Demopolis—restricted permeability, low strength, and depth to rock; Faunsdale—restricted permeability, wetness, shrink-swell potential,
and low strength
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, mesic Typic Kanhapludults
Depth Class: Very deep
Drainage Class (Agricultural): Well drained
Internal Free Water Occurrence: Very deep
Flooding Frequency and Duration: None
Ponding Frequency and Duration: None
Index Surface Runoff: Low to high
Permeability: Moderate
Shrink-Swell Potential: Low
Landscape: Piedmont uplands
Landform: Hill, interfluve
Geomorphic Component: Interfluve, side slope, nose slope
Hillslope Profile Position: Summit, shoulder, backslope
Parent Material: Residuum weathered from felsic crystalline rock such as mica schist, gneiss, granite gneiss, mica gneiss, granodiorite, and granite
Slope: 2 to 60 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: Where cultivated--small grains, corn, soybeans, hay, tobacco, and orchards. Where forested--Eastern white pine, Virginia pine, red oak, white oak, post oak, hickory, blackgum, red maple, yellow poplar, and dogwood.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Virginia and North Carolina with moderate extent
A representative soil profile of a Chernozem from the Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) by Prof. Blaskó Lajos (2008).
For more information about these soils, visit:
regi.tankonyvtar.hu/hu/tartalom/tamop425/0032_talajtan/ch...
CHERNOZEMS: Soil with a deep, dark surface horizon that is rich in organic matter and secondary calcium carbonate concentrations in the deeper horizons (from the Russian for chern, black, and zemlja, earth). Soil having a very dark brown or blackish surface horizon with a significant accumulation of organic matter, a high pH and having calcium carbonate deposits within 50 cm of the lower limit of the humus rich horizon. Chernozems show high biological activity and are typically found in the long-grass steppe regions of the world, especially in Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Canada and the USA. Chernozems are amongst the most productive soil types in the world. They cover 9 percent of Europe.
The current Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) was developed in the 1960s, based on the genetic principles of Dokuchaev. The central unit is the soil type grouping soils that were believed to have developed under similar soil forming factors and processes. The major soil types are the highest category which groups soils based on climatic, geographical and genetic bases. Subtypes and varieties are distinguished according to the assumed dominance of soil forming processes and observable/measurable morphogenetic properties.
A representative soil profile of Hollister silty clay loam. (Soil Survey of Jackson County, Oklahoma; by Richard Gelnar, Clay Salisbury, and Scott Keenan, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Hollister series consists of very deep, well drained, very slowly permeable soils. These soils formed in calcareous alluvial clays of Pleistocene age. These nearly level and very gently sloping soils are on broad plain terraces of the Central Rolling Red Plains (MLRA-78C, MLRA-78B). Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 16 degrees C (61 degrees F) and the mean annual precipitation is 635 mm (25 in).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, thermic Typic Haplusterts
Solum thickness: 152 to 203 cm (60 to more than 80 in) over dense clay or clay loam, or claystone
Thickness of the mollic epipedon: 50 to 122 cm (20 to 48 in), and usually extends into the argillic horizon
Depth to secondary calcium carbonate: 15 to 76 cm (6 to 30 in)
Depth to slickensides: 20 to 50 cm (8 to 20 in)
Depth of cracks: more than 76 cm (30 in) deep, cracks remain open for 150 or more cumulative days during most years
Particle-size control section (weighted average):
Clay content: 35 to 55 percent
Coarse fragments: amount-0 to 5 percent; size- 2 to 5 mm; kind-quartzite and granite
USE AND VEGETATION: Mainly used as cropland. Crops are mostly wheat, cotton, and grain sorghum. Native vegetation is mainly buffalograss, vine mesquite, grama species, tall dropseed, and Texas wintergrass. Mesquite trees and prickly pear cactus are common invaders.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: LRR H; Central Rolling Red Plains (MLRA 78B, 78C) of Texas and Oklahoma. The series is extensive.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/oklahoma/OK065...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HOLLISTER.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Pacolet series. Pacolet soils are well drained and have a clayey subsoil. They are extensive in the southern part of Iredell County, especially on strongly sloping to moderately steep side slopes. (Soil Survey of Iredell County, North Carolina; by Robert H. Ranson, Jr., and Roger J. Leab, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: Fescue growing in a pasture in an area of Pacolet sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded. (Soil Survey of Paulding County, Georgia; by Curtis G. Marshall, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Pacolet series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered mostly from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes commonly are 15 to 25 percent but range from 2 to 60 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
The Bt horizon is at least 10 to 24 inches thick and extends to a depth of 18 to 30 inches. Depth to a lithic contact is more than 60 inches. The soil is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A horizon, and very strongly acid to moderately acid throughout the rest of the profile. Content of rock fragments, dominantly gravel, ranges from 0 to 35 percent in the A and E horizons, and 0 to 15 percent in the Bt horizon. Most pedons have few to common flakes of mica in the solum, and few to many in the C horizon.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are in forests of pine and mixed hardwoods. Cleared areas are used for small grain, hay, and pasture.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The series is of large extent. Pacolet soils were formerly mapped as a thin solum phase of the Cecil series.
For additional information about the survey areas, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/north_carolina...
and...
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/georgia/pauldi...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/P/PACOLET.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Fragipans prevent the downward movement of water and roots into the soil. The very dense, brittle, prisms block movement while coarser material surrounding the prisms serves as a preferential flow path. Limited rooting depth caused by fragipans has been found to significantly decrease crop productivity.
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Mitchellbay soil series. (Soil Survey of San Juan County, Washington; by Michael Regan, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Mitchellbay series consists of moderately deep, somewhat poorly drained soils formed in glacial drift over dense glaciomarine deposits. Mitchellbay soils are in valleys and on glacial drift plains and have slopes of 0 to 25 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 31 inches and the mean annual temperature is about 48 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquultic Haploxeralfs
Mean annual soil temperature - 48 to 50 degrees F.
Moisture control section - dry 60 to 75 days following the summer solstice
Depth to redoximorphic features - 9 to 18 inches
Depth to densic contact - 20 to 40 inches
Particle-size control section:
Clay content - 18 to 35 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for pasture, forage crop production, and forestry. Potential natural vegetation consists of western redcedar, bigleaf maple, Douglas-fir, grand fir, red alder, swordfern, deer fern, salal, stinging nettle, gooseberry, and snowberry.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northwest Washington; MLRA A2, Northern Part. Series is of moderate extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/washington/WA0...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MITCHELLBAY.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative profile of a Smithdale soil. (Soil Survey of Union County, Arkansas; by Leodis Williams, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
The Smithdale series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on ridge tops and hill slopes in dissected uplands of the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) and in the Western Coastal Plain (133B). They formed in thick beds of loamy marine sediments. Near the type location the average annual temperature is 63 degrees F., and the average annual precipitation is about 57 inches. Slopes range from 1 to 60 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Hapludults
Solum thickness ranges from 60 to more than 100 inches. Reaction is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout, except where the surface has been limed.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Smithdale soils are used for woodland, principally loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pines. Cleared areas are used mainly for growing pasture and a few areas are cropped to corn, cotton, soybeans, and small grains.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Coastal Plain of Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. The series is of large extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/alabama/AL025/...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/arkansas/AR139...
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
As a USDA soil scientist, I travelled throughout the US and abroad over a 35 year career. One of the most pleasurable experiences was to interact with children demonstrating soil survey techniques and relaying basic principals of soil science. Here, a group of children from a small rural village in Guangdong Province (southern China) are learning to rub a soil sample between thumb and forefinger to determine soil texture. They got it right!
www.flickr.com/photos/jakelley/albums/72157636863233576/
A soil scientist is a person who is qualified to evaluate and interpret soils and soil-related data for the purpose of understanding soil resources as they contribute to not only agricultural production, but as they affect environmental quality and as they are managed for protection of human health and the environment. The university degree should be in Soil Science, or closely related field (i.e., natural resources, environmental science, earth science, etc.) and include sufficient soils-related course work so the Soil Scientist has a measurable level of understanding of the soil environment, including soil morphology and soil forming factors, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil biology, and the dynamic interaction of these areas.
Soil profile: Typical profile of Statler loam. Statler soils are very deep, have dark surface layers, formed from old alluvium, and consist of fine-loamy material. They occur in mountain valleys of low and intermediate mountains throughout the survey area. (Soil Survey of Graham County, North Carolina; by Brian Wood and Southern Blue Ridge Soil Survey Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: Differences in soil properties can occur within short distances in the same field. Pictured are fine-loamy Statler soils (foreground) and clayey Braddock soils (background) under hayland management.
The Statler series consists of very deep well drained soils that formed in loamy alluvium. These soils are on low terraces. Slope is dominantly 0 to 5 percent but ranges up to 15 percent on narrow slopes leading down to the adjacent first bottoms.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Humic Hapludults
Thickness of solum ranges from about 30 to 80 inches. The soil is moderately acid or strongly acid in each horizon except the surface layer is less acid where limed. Limed soils tipically range from slightly acid to neutral in the upper part. Very fine to medium size flakes of mica in each horizon range from few or none to common. The amount of coarse fragments ranges from 0 to about 15 percent by volume in the A and B horizons and from 0 to about 30 percent in the C horizon. Transitional horizons have colors and textures similar to adjacent horizons.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used mainly for growing hay, pasture, vegetables, corn, tobacco, horticultural crops, christmas trees, orchards, and small grains.
Distributon and Extent: In the Unaka Mountain range and along the eastern edge of the Appalachian ridges and valleys province in Tennessee and in the mountainous areas of Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/north_carolina...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/S/STATLER.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
The Driggs series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in mixed alluvium with loess influence. Driggs soils are on fan remnants and have slopes of 0 to 30 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 406 mm and the mean annual air temperature is about 5 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, frigid Calcic Argixerolls
Mollic epipedon thickness: 25 to 44 cm.
Control section total clay range: 20 to 30 percent in the upper part and 1 to 8 percent in the lower part
Rock fragments: 2 to 20 percent in the upper part and,35 to 95 percent in the lower part
Depth to argillic horizon: 12 to 29 cm
Depth to calcic horizon: 44 to 86 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 15 to 40 percent in the calcic horizon
Depth to sandy-skeletal material (2Bk horizon): 50 to 89 cm
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major uses: irrigated areas are used primarily for small grains, potatoes, hay and pasture; nonirrigated areas are used for pasture and limited production of small grains and hay. Dominant native vegetation: mountain big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, arrowleaf balsamroot, snowberry, antelope bitterbrush
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Southeastern Idaho, MLRA 13
Extent: the series is not extensive
This revision in 2007 changes the type location and classification of this series. It was formerly classified as fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed superactive Xeric Argicryolls.
For additional information about Idaho soils, please visit:
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/97d01af9d4554b9097cb0a477e04...
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/D/DRIGGS.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
The Casa Grande series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in old mixed alluvium. Casa Grande soils are on fan terraces and relict basin floors and have slopes of 0 to 5 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 7 inches (175 mm) and the mean annual air temperature is about 72 degrees F. (22.2 degrees C.)
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, hyperthermic Typic Natrargids
Soil moisture- Intermittently moist in some part of the soil moisture control section during July-September and December-February. Driest during May and June. Typic aridic soil moisture regime.
Soil temperature: 72 to 78 degrees F. (22.2 to 25.6 degrees C.)
Rock fragments: less than 15 percent; some pedons contain hardpan fragments as a part of the coarse fraction.
Salinity: slightly to strongly saline
Sodicity: slightly to strongly sodic
Depth to calcic horizon: 20 to 40 inches, occurs mostly as vertically oriented, cylindrical masses
Organic matter content: less than one percent
Reaction: moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for livestock grazing, wildlife habitat and irrigated cropland. Vegetation is desert saltbush, linear-leaf saltbush, wolfberry and scattered mesquite.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Arizona; mainly in the central valley areas. This series is extensive. Total extent is about 260,000 acres. MLRA is 40.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/arizona/marico...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CASA_GRANDE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
The soils and miscellaneous areas (e.g., Rock outcrop) in a survey area are in an orderly pattern that is related to the geology, landforms, topography, climate, and natural vegetation. Each kind of soil and miscellaneous area is associated with a particular kind of landform or with a segment of the landform. Note soils in this photo range from deep (L) to shallow (R).
Soil scientists delineate these repeating patterns of landform segments, or natural bodies, on a map. By observing the soils and miscellaneous areas in the survey area and relating their position to specific segments of the landform, a soil scientist develops a concept, or model, of how they formed. Thus, during mapping, these models enable the soil scientist to predict with considerable accuracy the kind of soil or miscellaneous area on the landscape (Hudson, 1992).
The repetitive patterns imprinted in soils by the soil-forming factors can be observed at scales ranging from continental to microscopic. These patterns are the basis for soil identification and mapping at different scales. A system of terminology, definitions, and operations can be ascribed to the various scales. Hierarchical systems of classes and subclasses are established to produce groupings at the different scales.
Commonly, individual soils on the landscape merge into one another as their characteristics gradually change. To construct an accurate soil map, however, soil scientists must determine the boundaries between the soils. Some boundaries are sharp, where soils change over a few meters, while others are more gradual. Soil scientists can observe only a limited number of pedons. Nevertheless, these observations, supplemented by an understanding of the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are sufficient to verify predictions of the kinds of soil and to determine their boundaries.
Soil scientists record the characteristics of the pedons, associated plant communities, geology, landforms, and other features that they study. They describe the kind and arrangement of soil horizons and their color, texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind and amount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots, reaction, and other features that enable them to classify and identify soils. They describe plant species present (their combinations, productivity, and condition) to classify plant communities, correlate them to the soils with which they are typically associated, and predict their response to management and change.
After the soil scientists identify and describe the properties of landscape components, or natural bodies of soils, the components are correlated to an appropriate taxonomic class, which is used for naming map units. Correlation, or comparison of individual soils with similar soils in the same taxonomic class in other areas, confirms data and helps the staff determine the need to assemble additional data. Taxonomic classes are concepts. Each taxonomic class has a set of soil characteristics with precisely defined limits. The classes are used as a basis for comparison to classify soils systematically. Soil Taxonomy, the system of taxonomic classification used in the United States, is based mainly on the kind and character of soil properties and the arrangement of horizons within the profile (Soil Survey Staff, 1999).
For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...
or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...
For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM
For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...
or;
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...
Peanuts in an area of Orangeburg sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. These peanuts have been inverted and are ready for harvest. They were planted on the contour. Conservation practices, such as contour farming, terraces, and buffer strips, increase water infiltration, reduce the runoff rate, and help to control erosion.
(Soil Survey of Crenshaw County, Alabama)
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/alabama/AL041/...
Landform: Ridges
Landform position: Backslopes and shoulder slopes
Shape of areas: Irregular
Size of areas: 5 to 250 acres
Composition
Orangeburg and similar soils: 90 percent
Dissimilar soils: 10 percent
Typical Profile
Surface layer:
brown sandy loam or dark yellowish brown sandy loam
Subsoil:
yellowish red sandy clay loam and in lower parts, red sandy clay loam that has brownish mottles
Soil Properties and Qualities
Depth class: Very deep
Drainage class: Well drained
Permeability: Moderate
Available water capacity: High
Depth to seasonal high water table: More than 6 feet
Shrink-swell potential: Low
Flooding: None
Content of organic matter in the surface layer: Low
Natural fertility: Low
Depth to bedrock: More than 80 inches
Dominant uses: Pasture, hayland, cropland, and homesites
Other uses: Forestland and wildlife habitat
Cropland
Suitability: Well suited
Commonly grown crops: Corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, small grains, and truck crops
Management concerns: Erodibility
Management measures and considerations:
• Terraces and diversions, stripcropping, contour tillage, no-till planting, and crop residue management reduce the hazard of erosion, help to control surface runoff, and maximize infiltration of rainfall.
• Applying lime and fertilizer on the basis of soil testing increases the availability of
nutrients to plants and maximizes productivity.
For more information on Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/class/
For more photos related to soils and landscapes visit:
Depth Class: Very deep
Drainage Class: Well drained
Permeability: Moderately rapid
Surface Runoff: Slow
Parent Material: Loamy and sandy fluvial and marine sediments
Slope: 0 to 10 percent
Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 61 degrees F.
Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 47 inches
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Arenic Hapludults
Solum thickness: 40 to 60 inches or more.
Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 60 inches
Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: Greater than 60 inches
Soil Reaction: very strongly acid through slightly acid, unless limed
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Mostly cultivated
Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--peanuts, soybeans, tobacco, and corn. Where wooded--loblolly pine, sweet gum, oak, hickory, and maple
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Atlantic Coastal Plain of Virginia, North Carolina, and possibly South Carolina
Extent: Moderate
These soils were formerly included in the Kenansville series.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CONETOE.html
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A representative soil profile of the Nashoba soil series. (Soil Survey of Montgomery County, Arkansas; by Jeffrey W. Olson, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Nashoba series consists of moderately deep, well drained, moderately rapid permeable soils that formed in material weathered from sandstone of Pennsylvanian age. These soils are on nearly level to steep sideslopes and ridges of the Ouachita Mountains, MLRA 119. Water runs off the surface at a low to rapid rate, depending on slope. Slopes range from 1 to 35 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Dystrudepts
Solum thickness ranges from 20 to 40 inches and is extremely variable within short distances due to the irregular boundary between the Bw horizon and the underlying tilted bedrock. The soil is moderately acid or strongly acid except where the A horizon has been limed. The fine-earth fraction of the soil is sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or loam. Stony and gravelly phases are recognized.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used mainly for growing trees. The main trees are oak and pine. Also, Spanish-moss grows on the trees.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma and possibly in Arkansas. The series is of minor extent. These soils were previously classified in the Lithosols great soil group. These soils were formerly included in the Goldston series.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
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A representative soil profile of the Snyderville series in Idaho.
The Snyderville series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in alluvium or outwash derived from quartzite and sedimentary rocks. Snyderville soils are on stream terraces, outwash terraces, and fan remnants. Slopes range from 0 to 20 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 18 inches and the mean annual temperature is about 44 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Argixerolls
Soil moisture regime: Xeric; dry for 45 to 60 days following the summer solstice
Mean annual soil temperature: 42 to 47 degrees F.
Mean summer soil temperature: 58 to 65 degrees F.
Surface rock fragments: 15 to 35 percent
Depth to lithic contact: Greater than 60 inches
Thickness of the mollic epipedon: 20 to 36 inches
Particle-size control section (weighted average):
Clay content: 22 to 27 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: The major use is livestock grazing. Native vegetation is mountain big sagebrush, wheatgrasses, bitterbrush and snowberry. In Utah the ecological site is Mountain Stony Loam (Mountain Big Sagebrush).
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: North central Utah and southestern Idaho. LRR B and E, MLRA 13 and 47. This series is of moderate extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
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Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Dewey soil series. (Soil Survey of Macon County. Tennessee, by Charlie McCowan, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: Dewey soils are on gently sloping to steep uplands of 2 to 40 percent slope. The Dewey soils are in the foreground. (Soil Survey of Roane County, Tennessee; by Harry C. Davis and Jennifer R. Yaeger, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Dewey series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on uplands. These soils formed in residuum of limestone or in 1 to 2 feet of old alluvium and the underlying residuum from limestone. Slopes range from 2 to 40 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleudults
Thickness of the solum and depth to limestone bedrock are more than 60 inches. The soil is strongly acid or very strongly acid unless limed. Rock fragments are mostly gravel size chert and range from 0 to 15 percent in each horizon. Some horizons range up to 25 percent below 40 inches.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are cleared and used for row crops, small grain, hay, pasture. The native vegetation is mixed hardwoods.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Appalachian Ridges (MLRA 128) and Valleys and the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) in Tennessee, northwest Georgia, and northern Alabama. The series is of large extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/tennessee/maco...
and...
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/tennessee/TN14...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
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Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Trail series in an area of Monue-Trail-Nepalto complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes. (Soil Survey of Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Arizona and Utah; by Michael W. Burney, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Trail series consists of very deep, well drained and somewhat excessively drained soils that formed in stratified alluvium weathered dominantly from sandstone, siltstone, limestone and mudstone. Trail soils are on floodplains and alluvial fans and have slopes of 0 to 8 percent. Elevations range from 3,800 to 6,200 feet. The mean annual precipitation is about 8 inches and the mean annual air temperature is about 54 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Torrifluvents
Soil Moisture: Intermittently moist in some part of the soil moisture control section during July-September and December-February. Driest during May and June. Typic aridic soil moisture regime.
Soil Temperature: 51 to 61 degrees F.
Rock Fragments: less than 15 percent gravel
Reaction: slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline
Calcium carbonate: effervescent from at depth of less than 10 inches to more than 40 inches
Salinity: none to slightly saline
Sodicity: none to slightly sodic
USE AND VEGETATION: Trail soils are used for livestock grazing and irrigated cropland. The present vegetation is cottonwood, salt cedar, willow, Russian thistle, camelthorn, fourwing saltbush, and sand dropseed.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern Arizona, southern Colorado, northern New Mexico and southern Utah. This series is not extensive. MLRA 35 and 36. Use in MLRA 70C is not allowed.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
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Boluo County is a county of east-central Guangdong province, People's Republic of China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Huizhou, and in 2009, had a population of 813,700 residing in an area of 2,795 km (1,079 sq mi). It borders Yuancheng District, Dongyuan and Zijin counties to the northeast, Huiyang and Huicheng Districts to the southeast, Dongguan to the south, Zengcheng to the west, and Longmen County to the northwest.
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Soil profile: The Ngardmau series is characterized by infertile topsoil over infertile subsoil. Below a depth of 50 centimeters, the subsoil retains some characteristics of the parent material, which gives the subsoil the variegated color pattern of red, yellow, and white. Ngardmau soils support mostly false staghorn ferns (Gleichenia linearis or Dicranopteris linearis). This profile is in map unit 614 (Babelthuap-Ngardmau-Typic Udorthents undifferentiated group, 12 to 30 percent slopes), in Airai State, Babeldaob Island. (Soil Survey of the Islands of Palau, Republic of Palau; by Jason L. Nemecek and Robert T. Gavenda, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Ngardmau series consists of very deep, well drained soils on uplands. These soils formed in highly weathered volcanic breccia and tuff. Slope is 2 to 75 percent. The mean annual rainfall is about 145 inches, and the mean annual temperature is about 81 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Very-fine, parasesquic, isohyperthermic Oxic Dystrudepts
Coarse fragments on the surface range from 25 to 90 percent pebble-size and 0 to 15 percent irregular vesicular ferritic and gibbsitic concretions 3 to 6 inches in size. Thickness of the solum ranges from 10 to 20 inches.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are idle land and used only for watershed. The vegetation is a degraded anthropic savannah consisting of poor stands of Gleichenia linearis, Nepenthes mirabilis, Extrosia lepornia, Paspalum orbiculare and scattered shrubs and pandanus.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Ngardmau soils are of small extent in Palau on the island of Babelthuap. Ngardmau soils have a perudic moisture regime. The surface layer becomes dry for short periods, particularly during the months of February, March, and April, due to the high coarse fragment content. The mean annual soil temperature is 82 degrees F. In local pronunciation of the word Ngardmau, the "g" is silent. This soil meets all the requirements at an oxic horizon except thickness.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
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Parent material means the mineral matter that is in its present position through deposition by water, wind, gravity or by decomposition of rock. Parent material is the starting point for most soil development. The parent material may be mineral rock and/or organic matter. When parent rock material is exposed to the atmosphere or when organic matter and/or minerals are deposited on the earth’s surface, soil formation begins.
A soil scientist is a person who is qualified to evaluate and interpret soils and soil-related data for the purpose of understanding soil resources as they contribute to not only agricultural production, but as they affect environmental quality and as they are managed for protection of human health and the environment. The university degree should be in Soil Science, or closely related field (i.e., natural resources, environmental science, earth science, etc.) and include sufficient soils-related course work so the Soil Scientist has a measurable level of understanding of the soil environment, including soil morphology and soil forming factors, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil biology, and the dynamic interaction of these areas.
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The Wedowee series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in residuum weathered from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. These soils are on narrow ridges and on side slopes of uplands. Slope is dominantly between 6 and 25 percent but ranges from 0 to 60 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are wooded. Common trees include loblolly pine, Virginia pine, red oak, white oak, post oak, hickory, blackgum, maple, and dogwood. Cleared areas are used for cotton, corn, tobacco, small grain, hay, and pasture.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The series is of moderate extent.
Wedowee soils were formerly mapped as thin solum phases of the Appling series. The 5/90 revision changed the classification to Typic Kanhapludults in recognition of the low activity clay content of the argillic horizon. The December 2005 revision moved the type location from Randolph County, Alabama to a more representative site.
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Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Monteola soil series.
Landscape: A stand of haygrazer growing on an area of Monteola clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes. (Soil Survey of Goliad County, Texas; by Jonathan K. Wiedenfeld)
The Monteola series consists of very deep, well drained, very slowly permeable soils. These soils formed in clays and clays interbedded with sandstone and claystone of the Oakville and Fleming Formation. These gently to moderately sloping soils occur on hillslopes on inland dissected coastal plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 8 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 787 mm (31in) and the mean annual air temperature is about 21.7 degrees C (71 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic Typic Haplusterts
Soil Moisture: A typic ustic soil moisture regime. The soil moisture control section is dry in some or all parts for more than 90 but less than 180 cumulative days in normal years.
Mean annual soil temperature: 22 to 24 degrees C (72 to 75 degrees F).
Solum thickness: more than 203 cm (80 inches)
Electrical Conductivity: ranges from nonsaline in the upper part to moderately saline in the lower part.
Particle-size control section (weighted average)
Clay content: 40 to 60 percent
Rock fragments: 0 to 3 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Monteola soils are in cropland and are used for cotton and grain sorghums. Principal native plants are mesquite, spiny hackberry, catclaw, and agarito. Native grasses are buffalograss, curlymesquite grass, and alkali sacaton.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern, Central, and Western Rio Grande Plains (MLRA 83A); LRR I. The series is of large extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
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The Caneyville series consists of moderately deep, well-drained soils formed in a thin silty mantle over fine textured residuum of limestone. The soils are on ridges and hillsides. Slopes range from 2 to 120 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludalfs
The solum thickness and depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches. The reaction ranges from very strongly acid to neutral in the A and Ap horizons and the upper part of the Bt horizon, and from moderately acid to slightly alkaline in the lower part of the Bt horizon. Fragments of limestone, chert, or sandstone (surface layer only) range from 0 to 10 percent in the A and upper Bt horizon, and 0 to 35 percent immediately above limestone bedrock.For a detailed description, visit:
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are in hay, pasture, or forest, and few are used for corn and small grain. Native forests are oaks, hickory, elm, hackberry, and redbud as the dominant species.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Kentucky and southern Indiana. Extent is large.
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Macropores are too large to have any significant capillary force. Unless impeded, water will drain from these pores, and they are generally air-filled at field capacity. Macropores can be caused by cracking, division of peds and aggregates, as well as plant roots, and zoological exploration.
The macropores may be completed filled with soil material or they be open (areas that once contained live roots, but are currently void of roots due to decomposition), allowing for the transmission of air and water within the channel.
Note the accumulation of iron (redox feature) along vertical area surrounding the pore. Redoximorphic features (RMFs) consist of color patterns in a soil that are caused by loss (depletion) or gain (concentration) of pigment compared to the matrix color, formed by oxidation/reduction of iron and/or manganese coupled with their removal, translocation, or accrual. Some of the dark red seams circumventing the pore contained sufficient iron accumulation to be cemented.
For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
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For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:
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For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:
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or;
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A soil profile of a Hapludand in Japan. This soil formed in several ash deposits and contains a series of paleosols. (Soil Survey Staff. 2015. Illustrated guide to Soil Taxonomy. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska)
Hapludands commonly have a thin O horizon, an ochric (typically thin and/or light-colored) or umbric (humus-rich with low base saturation) epipedon, and a cambic (minimal soil development) subsoil horizon. Most of the Hapludands in the United States developed in late Pleistocene or Holocene deposits. Most formed under coniferous forest vegetation.
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Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Tonka series.
Landscape: Tonka soils are in plane or slightly concave, closed basins and depressions on till and glacial lake plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 1 percent. The soils formed in local alluvium over till or glaciolacustrine deposits.
The Tonka series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly permeable soils that formed in local alluvium over till or glaciolacustrine deposits. These soils are in closed basins and depressions on till and glacial lake plains and have slopes of 0 to 1 percent. Mean annual air temperature is 42 degrees F, and mean annual precipitation is 20 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, frigid Argiaquic Argialbolls
Depth to carbonates commonly is 28 to 40 inches but ranges from 20 to more than 60 inches. The depth to the Bt horizon ranges from 12 to 28 inches. The soil commonly is free of rock fragments, but in some pedons the lower part of the solum and the substratum contain pebbles. Some pedons have surface stones.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for small grains, hay and pasture. Native vegetation is tall grasses, sedges and rushes.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Widely distributed on the glaciated plains of North Dakota, northeastern South Dakota, and western Minnesota. The series is extensive.
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Soil profile of Nona very fine sandy loam in an area of Nona-Dallardsville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes. The gray colors are because of wetness. (Soil Survey of Tyler County, Texas; by Levi Steptoe, Jr., Natural Resources Conservation Services)
The Nona series consists of very deep, poorly drained soils. These nearly level to very gently sloping soils formed in loamy fluviomarine deposits of the Lissie Formation of early to mid-Pleistocene age. Slope ranges from 0 to 1 percent. Mean annual temperature is about 19.5 degrees C (67 degrees F), and mean annual precipitation is about 1295 mm (51 in).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, siliceous, active, thermic Natric Vermaqualfs
Soil Moisture: An aquic soil moisture regime.
Mean annual soil temperature: 20.6 to 21.7 deegrees C (69 to 71 degrees F).
Aluminum saturation: 50 to 80 percent
Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP): 7 to 11
Reaction: extremely acid or very strongly acid throughout.
Particle-size control section (weighted average)
Clay content: 20 to 35 percent
Sands larger than very fine sand content: 5 to 15 percent
Depth to barite: 114 to 152 cm (45 to 60 in)
CEC/clay ratio: 0.45 to 0.55
Crawfish bioturbation: 10 to 50 percent; amount decreases with depth
USE AND VEGETATION: Used primarily as wildlife habitat. Some areas are used as woodland. Native vegetation is slash pine, black gum, sweet bay, sedges, rushes, panicums, and paspalums.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Western Gulf Coast Flatwoods of southeast Texas and possibly Louisiana; LRR T; MLRA 152B; small extent.
Vermic feature: 8 to 48 cm (3 to 19 in), 50 percent or more or crawfish bioturbation (Bg horizons)
Aquic conditions: These soils remain saturated and have aquic conditions from November to April from the surface to 30 cm (1 ft) in most years.
Additional Comments: The classification was changed in April 2000 from Typic Vermaqualfs to Natric Vermaqualfs due to lab data from the series type location from Hardin County, Texas. A study of salinity levels was conducted on this and other soils to determine the amount of seasonal variability. During the wetter time of year, ESP levels are typically 1 to 3 points lower than the drier time.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/TX457/0/...
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The Birome series consists of moderately deep, well drained, slowly permeable soils that formed in iron enriched loamy
and clayey sediments. These gently sloping to moderately steep soils are on low hills and ridges. Slopes range from 2 to 20 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, active, thermic Ultic Paleustalfs
The solum thickness and depth to sandstone ranges 20 to 40 inches. Ironstone and sandstone pebbles and sandstone fragments less than an inch to 3 inches thick and 3 to about 10 inches across the long axis cover 0 to 20 percent of the soil surface. Pebbles and fragments comprise 0 to 35 percent of the epipedon and 0 to 10 percent in the argillic horizon.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained; rapid runoff; slow permeability.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mostly in wooded pasture. Native vegetation consists of little bluestem, purpletop, and shrubs with an overstory of post oak and blackjack oak.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Central Texas mainly in the East Cross Timbers land resource area. The soils are of moderate
extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
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A representative soil profile of Uchee loamy sand. This soil has thick, dark gray and light yellowish brown sandy surface horizons and a brownish yellow loamy subsoil. (Soil Survey Charles City County, Virginia; by Robert L. Hodges and Pamela J. Thomas, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
The Uchee series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately slowly permeable soils that formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. They are on smooth ridgetops and dissected side slopes of the Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Near the type location, the average annual temperature is 65 degrees F. and average annual precipitation is about 54 inches.
CLASS: Loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Arenic Kanhapludults
Solum thickness ranges from 40 to 60 inches or more. Reaction is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout except where lime has been added. Content of rock fragments, mostly quartz gravel, ranges from 0 to 35 percent in the A and E horizons and from 0 to 15 percent in the B and C horizons.
USE AND VEGETATION: Much of the acreage is cleared and is used for cultivated crops, mainly cotton and corn and for pasture. Common trees growing in wooded areas are longleaf pine, loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, southern red oak, bluejack oak and hickory.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Coastal Plain of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. It is moderately extensive. The Uchee series was formerly mapped in the Wagram series.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/virginia/VA036...
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A representative soil profile of the Grant soil series. (Soil Survey of Woods County, Oklahoma; by Richard Gelnar, Jimmy Ford, Clay Salisbury, Clay Wilson, and Glen Williams, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Grant series consist of deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils. They formed in material weathered predominantly from siltstone or silty shale of Permian age. These nearly level to moderately steep soils are on treads and risers of paleoterraces in the Central Rolling Red Prairies (MLRA 80A). Slope ranges from 0 to 20 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 813 mm (32 in) and mean annual air temperature is 16 degrees C (61 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, thermic Udic Argiustolls
Depth to paralithic contact: 102 to 152 cm (40 to 60 in) to siltstone or silty shale
Depth to secondary carbonates: 76 to 152 cm (30 to 60 in)
Particle-size control section:
Clay content: 18 to 35 percent
Sand content: 0 to 15 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for cropland. Some areas are in native grassland. Cultivated crops are wheat and other small grains. Native vegetation is tall and mid grasses.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
General area: Oklahoma and south-central Kansas
Land Resource Region: H-Central Great Plains Winter Wheat and Range
MLRA 80A-Central Rolling Red Prairies
Extent: large
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A representative soil profile of the Gritney soil series. (Soil Survey of Screven County, Georgia; by Gary C. Hankins, Jr., Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Gritney series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils that formed in fine-textured sediments on Coastal Plain uplands. Permeability is slow. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent. Average annual precipitation is about 50 inches and mean annual temperature is about 65 degrees F. near the type location.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Aquic Hapludults
Solum thickness ranges from 35 to 60 inches or more. The soil ranges from extremely acid through strongly acid unless limed. Quartz and ironstone pebbles range from 0 to 10 percent throughout the soil. COLE is estimated to be less than 0.09 throughout the soil. Silt content of the control section is less than 30 percent.
USE AND VEGETATION: Gritney soils are used for crops, pasture and forest land. Principal crops grown are corn, soybeans, small grain, cotton, peanuts and hay and pasture. Wooded areas are mixed hardwood and pine. Tree species include white oak, post oak, southern red oak, red maple, sweetgum, hickory, elm, ash, American sycamore, beech, and loblolly pine. Common understory plants are American holly, dogwood, sassafras, sourwood, and waxmyrtle. Threeawn is a common native grass.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia, and possibly South Carolina.
Responsibility for Gritney series was transferred to North Carolina in l986. The classification of this series was changed with the 12/86 revision - from clayey, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludults to clayey, mixed, thermic Aquic Hapludults. This is based on selected water table studies.
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Organic soils have organic matter as the primary parent material. They occur when conditions allow organic matter to accumulate at a faster rate than it can be decomposed. This is usually under wet conditions such as a wetland. Fibric soil materials are slightly decomposed organic soil materials that contain three-fourths or more plant fiber material after rubbing.
For more information about Hydric Soils and their Field Indicators, visit:
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For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...
or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...
For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM
For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...
or;
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...
A profile of a Dolason soil. These soils are in prairies of the Bald Hills area. The thick, dark surface layer is the dominant feature of soils that form under grasses and forbs. (Soil Survey of Redwood National and State Parks, California; by Joseph P. Seney and Alaina C. Frazier, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and James H. Popenoe, Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Retired)
The Dolason series consists of very deep, well drained soils formed in colluvium and residuum derived from siltstone, mudstone, and sandstone. Dolason soils are on mountains and have slopes of 9 to 75 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 2290 millimeters (90 inches) and the mean annual temperature is about 11 degrees C (52 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Pachic Humixerepts
Soil Moisture: The soil is dry in all parts in the moisture control section from about July 10 to September 20, and is moist in all parts from about October 1 to June 1. The soils have a xeric moisture regime.
Soil Temperature: The mean annual soil temperature is 10 to 15 degrees C (50 to 59 degrees F). The difference between mean summer and mean winter temperature is 6 to 10 degrees C. The soils have a mesic soil temperature regime.
Umbric epipedon: 50 to 100 centimeters thick
Reaction: very strongly through moderately acid, and base saturation, by ammonium acetate, is less than 60 percent.
Surface fragments: 0 to 12 percent gravel and 0 to 3 percent cobble
Particle-Size Control Section (weighted average):
Rock fragments: 5 to 35 percent gravel and 0 to 10 percent cobbles.
Clay content: 18 to 25 percent clay.
This soil has been used for livestock grazing, recreation, wildlife habitat, and watershed. In a few areas it has been planted to commercial timber. Naturalized annual and perennial grasses and forbs include tall oatgrass, annual vernal grass, bentgrass, California oatgrass, blue wildrye, bristly dogstail grass, soft brome, wild oat, slender oat, western brackenfern, hairy catsear, common sheep sorrel, miniature lupine, pale flax, common yarrow, and California poppy. In the southern part of the range, scattered coyote brush can be present.Invasion by Douglas fir and succession to forest is in progress in many areas.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Coastal Redwood Belt; MLRA 4B. The series is not extensive.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/california/CA6...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/D/DOLASON.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of a Solonchak from the Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) by Prof. Blaskó Lajos (2008).
For more information about these soils, visit:
regi.tankonyvtar.hu/hu/tartalom/tamop425/0032_talajtan/ch...
SOLONCHAKS: Strongly saline soil (from the Russian, sol, meaning salt and chak, meaning salty area). Solonchaks are a strongly saline soil type with high concentration of soluble salts. They occur where saline groundwater comes near to the surface or where the evapo-transpiration is considerably higher than precipitation, at least during a large part of the year. Salts dissolved in the soil moisture remain behind after evaporation of the water and accumulate at or near the surface. Their morphology, characteristics and limitations to plant growth depend on the amount, depth and composition of the salts. Common international names for Solonchaks are saline soil and salt-affected soil. They are dominant in very small areas but can be very important locally.
The current Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) was developed in the 1960s, based on the genetic principles of Dokuchaev. The central unit is the soil type grouping soils that were believed to have developed under similar soil forming factors and processes. The major soil types are the highest category which groups soils based on climatic, geographical and genetic bases. Subtypes and varieties are distinguished according to the assumed dominance of soil forming processes and observable/measurable morphogenetic properties.
The Polkton series consists of moderately deep, moderately well drained, very slowly permeable soils on uplands of the Triassic Basins in the Southern Piedmont. They formed in residuum weathered from Triassic siltstone, mudstone, shale, and sandstone. Slope ranges from 2 to 25 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, active, thermic Oxyaquic Vertic Hapludalfs
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES:
Ochric epipedon - the zone from the soil surface to a depth of 7 inches (Ap horizon)
Argillic horizon - the zone from 7 to 28 inches below the surface (Btss1 and Btss2 horizons)
Slickensides - presence of slickensides in the zone from 7 to 28 inches (Btss1 and Btss2 horizons)
Paralithic contact - the occurrence of weathered bedrock at a depth of 28 inches (upper boundary of the Cr horizon).
Vertic feature: cracks within 50 inches of the soil surface that are 5 mm or more wide through a thickness of 12 inches or more for some time in normal years, and slickensides or wedge-shaped aggregates in a layer 6 inches or more thick that has its upper boundary within 50 inches of the soil surface; or a linear extensibility of 2.5 inches or more between the surface and either a depth of 40 inches or a paralithic contact, whichever is shallower
Oxyaquic feature: Saturation with water in one or more layers within 40 inches of the surface in normal years for either or both 20 or more consecutive days or 30 or more cumulative days.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Solum thickness ranges from 20 to 40 inches. Depth to weathered bedrock is 20 to 40 inches. Depth to hard bedrock is 40 to 60 inches or more. Rock fragment content ranges from 0 to 10 percent by volume. Linear extensibility totals 6.0 cm or more between the surface and paralithic contact. Nonintersecting slickensides range from few to common in the Btss horizon. Base saturation by sum of cations increases with depth and ranges from 35 to 60 percent immediately above the paralithic contact. Exchangeable aluminum content of the Btss horizon is high (10 to 25 me/100g). The soil is very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A horizon and very strongly acid or strongly acid in the B and C horizons.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/P/POLKTON.html
For geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of the Sueredo series. (Soil Survey of Lassen Volcanic National Park, California; by Andrew E. Conlin, Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Sueredo series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in tephra over till from volcanic rocks. Sueredo soils are on ground moraines in the Southern Cascade mountains. Slopes range from 2 to 70 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 43 inches (1092 mm) and the mean annual temperature is about 43 degrees F (6 degrees C).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Ashy-skeletal, mixed, frigid Typic Vitrixerands
Depth to restrictive feature: Densic contact 60 to 80 inches (152 to 200 cm).
Mean annual soil temperature: 43 to 46 degrees F (6 to 8 degrees C).
Soil moisture control section is dry: July to October (about 90 days).
Particle-size control section (thickest part): 0 to 2 percent clay, and 48 to 77 percent rock fragments.
Surface fragments: 0 to 25 percent gravel, 0 to 15 percent cobbles, 0 to 5 percent stones, and 0 to 10 percent boulders.
USE AND VEGETATION: This soil is used for wildlife habitat, recreation, ecosystem management and watershed. Vegetation is white fir, Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, greenleaf manzanita and snowbrush ceanothus, with some California red fir and western white pine at higher elevations.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The soils are inextensive and are mapped in MLRA: 22B Southern Cascade Mountains
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/california/las...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/S/SUEREDO.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soils of the Masada series are very deep and well drained. They formed in old alluvium on terraces in the Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent.
TYPICAL PEDON: Masada fine sandy loam - uncultivated. (Colors are for moist soil.)
Solum thickness ranges from 40 to 60 inches. Depth to bedrock is more than 72 inches. Clay content ranges from 35 to 55 percent in the particle-size control section, and silt content is less than 30 percent. Rounded or waterworn rock fragments of quartz, quartzite, gneiss, or schist range from 0 to 50 percent in the A and E horizons and from 0 to 35 percent in the B and C horizons. Stone lines consisting of waterworn stones are present in the lower part of the solum and C horizons in some pedons. Flakes of mica and black minerals are commonly in the B horizon. The soil is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout except where limed.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of these soils are cleared and used for crops and pasture. Crops are corn, wheat, oats, mixed hay, vegetables, peach and apple orchards, and plant nurseries. Native vegetation consists of red oak, white oak, hickory, cedar, dogwood, maple, shortleaf, loblolly and Virginia pine.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Virginia; possibly Maryland and North Carolina. The series is of moderate extent.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MASADA.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of the Mountview series.
The Mountview series consists of very deep, well drained and moderately well drained, soils that formed in 2 to 3 feet of a silty mantle, presumably loess, and underlying residuum of limestone or old alluvium. Slopes range from 0 to 20 percent. Near the type location, average annual air temperature is about 59 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is about 54 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Oxyaquic Paleudults
Solum thickness and depth to rock exceeds 60 inches. The upper solum formed in a silty mantle, presumably loess, and commonly is about 30 inches thick but ranges from about 22 to 36 inches. This overlies a lower solum developed in residuum of limestone or old alluvium. Coarse fragments, commonly fragments of chert, range from 0 to about 5 percent in the upper 30 inches and from about 5 to 35 percent below that depth. Transition horizons have characteristics similar to adjacent horizons. Reaction of each horizon is very strongly acid or strongly acid, except the surface layer is less acid where limed.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are used for growing hay, pasture, small grains, cotton, corn, and tobacco. Some areas are in woodland consisting chiefly of oak, hickory, gum, and maple.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Highland Rim of Tennessee, northern Alabama, Pennyroyal of Kentucky, and possibly southern Missouri. The series is of large extent.
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MOUNTVIEW.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A soil scientist is a person who is qualified to evaluate and interpret soils and soil-related data for the purpose of understanding soil resources as they contribute to not only agricultural production, but as they affect environmental quality and as they are managed for protection of human health and the environment. The university degree should be in Soil Science, or closely related field (i.e., natural resources, environmental science, earth science, etc.) and include sufficient soils-related course work so the Soil Scientist has a measurable level of understanding of the soil environment, including soil morphology and soil forming factors, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil biology, and the dynamic interaction of these areas.
A description of the soils is essential in any soil survey. Standard technical terms and their definitions for soil properties and features are necessary for accurate soil descriptions. For some soils, standard terms are not adequate and must be supplemented by a narrative. Some soil properties change through time. Many properties must be observed over time and summarized if one is to fully understand the soil being described and its response to short-term environmental changes. Examples are the length of time that cracks remain open, the patterns of soil temperature and moisture, and the variations in size, shape, and hardness of clods in the surface layer of tilled soils.
For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...
or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...
For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM
For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...
or;
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...
The Hiwassee series consists of very deep, well drained soils on high stream terraces in the Southern Piedmont. They formed in old alluvium derived from felsic and mafic rocks. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kanhapludults
Solum thickness ranges from 40 to 60 inches or more. Depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. Rock fragments of gravel and cobbles of quartz and crystalline rock range from 0 to 35 percent in A or Ap horizons, from 0 to 15 percent in the Bt and BC horizons, though subhorizons of the Bt and BC may range to 35 percent, and from 0 to 55 percent in the substratum. Dark concretions of iron and manganese range from none to common. Flakes of mica are few to common in many pedons. Lithologic discontinuities, noted by stone lines, are beneath the solum in some pedons. The soil is very strongly acid to slightly acid, except where limed.
Cleared areas are used for crops or pasture. Principal crops are corn, small grain, and hay. Common trees in woodland areas are loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, northern red oak, southern red oak, and hickory. Understory plants include dogwood, eastern redbud, and sassafras.
These soils are moderately extensive in the Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The December 1996 revision restricts the Hiwassee series to Typic Rhodudults on high terraces. The Hiwassee series was reclassified to Rhodic Kanhapludults in 1988, and to Typic Kanhapludults in 1993. The soil had been consistently mapped as Typic Rhodudults on stream terraces in Virginia. The 2003 revision moved the type location from the mesic piedmont to the thermic piedmont. The classification changed to Rhodic Kanhapludults. The particle size control section was changed to very-fine based on lab data.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HIWASSEE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Talbott soil series. (Soil Survey of Cannon County, Tennessee; by Jerry L. Prater, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: An area of Talbott-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes. This map unit has common outcrops of limestone. Vegetation is mostly red cedar and hickory. (Soil Survey of Overton County, Tennessee; by Carlie McCowan, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Talbott series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils that formed in clayey residuum weathered from limestone. These soils have moderately slow permeability. The slope ranges from 0 to 70 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludalfs
Thickness of solum and depth to bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches. Rock fragments in this soil are normally less than 5 percent, but range from 0 to 10 percent in all horizons. It ranges from slightly acid to strongly acid except the horizons near bedrock ranges to mildly alkaline.
USE AND VEGETATION: Originally hardwoods, chiefly oak, hickory, elm, maple, and redcedar. Most of the areas are cleared. About 70 percent of the cleared areas are in pasture and hay. Crops include corn, small grain, tobacco, and soybeans. Many areas are idle.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Appalachian Ridge and Valley, Highland Rim and Nashville Basin in Tennessee, northern Georgia, and Alabama, and possibly Kentucky. The series is of large extent.
For additional information about the survey areas, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/tennessee/cann...
and...
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/tennessee/TN13...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/T/TALBOTT.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of a Leptosol from the Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) by Prof. Blaskó Lajos (2008).
For more information about these soils, visit:
regi.tankonyvtar.hu/hu/tartalom/tamop425/0032_talajtan/ch...
LEPTOSOLS: Shallow soil over hard rock or gravelly material (from the Greek, leptos, meaning thin). Leptosols are shallow over hard rock and comprise of very gravelly or highly calcareous material.They are found mainly in mountainous regions and in areas where the soil has been eroded to the extent that hard rock comes near to the surface. Because of limited pedogenic development, Leptosols do not have much structure. On a global scale, Leptosols are very extensive. Leptosols on limestone are called Rendzinas while those on acid rocks, such as granite, are called Rankers. They cover 9 percent of Europe.
The current Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) was developed in the 1960s, based on the genetic principles of Dokuchaev. The central unit is the soil type grouping soils that were believed to have developed under similar soil forming factors and processes. The major soil types are the highest category which groups soils based on climatic, geographical and genetic bases. Subtypes and varieties are distinguished according to the assumed dominance of soil forming processes and observable/measurable morphogenetic properties.
A representative soil profile of a Calcisols from the Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) by Prof. Blaskó Lajos (2008).
For more information about these soils, visit:
regi.tankonyvtar.hu/hu/tartalom/tamop425/0032_talajtan/ch...
CALCISOLS: Soil with significant accumulation of secondary calcium carbonates, generally developed in dry areas (from the Latin, calcarius, meaning calcareous or lime-rich).Calcisols have substantial movement and accumulation of calcium-carbonate within the soil profile. The precipitation may occur as pseudomycelium (root channels filled with fine calcite), nodules or even in continuous layers of soft or hard lime (calcrete). Calcisols are common on calcareous parent material in regions with distinct dry seasons, as well as in dry areas where carbonate-rich groundwater comes near the surface. Formerly Calcisols were internationally known as Desert soil and Takyrs. They cover 5 percent of Europe.
The current Hungarian Soil Classification System (HSCS) was developed in the 1960s, based on the genetic principles of Dokuchaev. The central unit is the soil type grouping soils that were believed to have developed under similar soil forming factors and processes. The major soil types are the highest category which groups soils based on climatic, geographical and genetic bases. Subtypes and varieties are distinguished according to the assumed dominance of soil forming processes and observable/measurable morphogenetic properties.
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Owyhee series.
Landscape: Owyhee soils are used mostly for irrigated cropland. The principal crops are corn, small grains, sugar beets, potatoes, hops, alfalfa, pasture grasses, and onions.
The Owyhee series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in lacustrine material or old alluvium on level to sloping terraces. The permeability is slow or moderately slow. Slopes are 0 to 30 percent. The average annual precipitation is about 230 millimeters, and the average annual air temperature is about 11 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Xeric Haplocalcids
Average annual soil temperature -- 10.5 to 12 degrees C.
Average summer soil temperature - 20.5 to 22 degrees C.
Depth to Laminae - 50 to 89 centimeters
Depth to carbonates - 30 to 61 centimeters
USE AND VEGETATION: Mostly irrigated cropland. The principal crops are corn, small grains, sugar beets, potatoes, hops, alfalfa, pasture grasses, and onions. The vegetation on uncultivated areas is big sagebrush, Sandberg bluegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, cheatgrass, basin wildrye, and annual weeds and grasses.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Valleys in southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon. The series is of moderate extent
For additional information about Idaho soils, please visit:
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/97d01af9d4554b9097cb0a477e04...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/O/OWYHEE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit: