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Soil Profile: A profile of a Holly soil. Holly soils are very deep and very poorly drained. They are on flood plains. The depth to the water table fluctuates with seasonal flooding in the river.
Landscape: An area of Holly soil in a backswamp along the Delaware River. Holly soils are hydric. (United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service)
(From the Soil Survey of Bluestone National Scenic River, West Virginia; by Eileen Klein, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Map Unit Setting
Landscape: Mountains
Major land resource area: 127—Eastern Allegheny Plateau and Mountains
Elevation: 435 to 480 meters
Mean annual precipitation: 865 to 1,044 millimeters
Mean annual air temperature: 6 to 18 degrees C
Frost-free period: 158 to 205 days
Map Unit Composition
Holly and similar soils: 55 percent
Dissimilar minor components: 20 percent
Classification
Fine-loamy, mixed, active, nonacid, mesic Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts
Setting
Landform: Flood plains in river valleys
Landform position (two-dimensional): Toeslope
Landform position (three-dimensional): Mountain base
Down-slope shape: Linear
Across-slope shape: Linear
Aspect (representative): South
Aspect range: All aspects
Slope range: 0 to 3 percent
Parent material: Fine-loamy alluvium derived from limestone, sandstone, and shale
Properties and Qualities
Depth to restrictive feature: None within a depth of 150 centimeters
Shrink-swell potential: Low (about 1.5 LEP)
Salinity maximum based on representative value: Nonsaline
Sodicity maximum: Not sodic
Calcium carbonate equivalent percent: No carbonates
Hydrologic Properties
Slowest capacity to transmit water (Ksat): Moderately high
Natural drainage class: Poorly drained
Flooding frequency: Occasional (see table 23)
Ponding frequency: Occasional (see table 23)
Depth to seasonal water table: At the soil surface to 15 centimeters (see table 23)
Available water capacity (entire profile): Very high (about 33.4 centimeters)
Interpretive Groups
Land capability subclass (nonirrigated): 5w
West Virginia grassland suitability group (WVGSG): Wetlands (W2)
Dominant vegetation map class(es): Modified Successional Floodplain Forest and Woodland
Hydric soil status: Yes
Hydrologic soil group: D
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/west_virginia/...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HOLLY.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Westola series. (Soil Survey of Harper County, Oklahoma; by Troy Collier and Steve Alspach, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
When photographing soils, a soil scientist will commonly use a knife to pick the profile face to show natural soil structure (left side of profile). Or, they may use a knife or shovel to smooth the surface (right side of the profile) which helps show change in color or horizonation.
Landscape: Little bluestem pasture in an area of Westola fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded.
The Westola series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils that formed in calcareous, recent alluvium. These soils occur on nearly level flood plains in the Central Rolling Red Plains (MLRA 78B, 78C). Slope ranges from 0 to 1 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 660 mm (26 in), and mean annual air temperature is about 16.1 degrees C (61 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, thermic Typic Ustifluvents
Soil Moisture: Typic-ustic soil moisture regime
Particle-size control section (weighted average):
Clay content: 5 to 18 percent
Sand content: more than 15 percent that is fine sand or coarser
USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are mainly cropped to alfalfa, cotton, small grains, forage sorghum, and tame pasture. The native vegetation is tall and mid grasses with Eastern Cottonwood, Tamarisk, and American Elm.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Central Rolling Red Plains (MLRA-78B, 78C) of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. The series is extensive. Westola soils were formerly mapped as Yahola.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/oklahoma/OK059...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WESTOLA.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: Larkin soils typically form in loess, but in some areas loess over residuum derived from basalt or loess mixed with a small amount of volcanic ash in upper part.
Landscape: Typical area of Larkin silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, under small grain stubble. In uncultivated areas, the Larkin soil supports a ponderosa pine/common snowberry habitat type.
Landscape--Columbia hills
Landform--loess hills, structural benches, plateaus
Slope--0 to 60 percent
Parent material--typically loess, but in some areas loess over residuum derived from basalt or loess mixed with a small amount of volcanic ash in upper part
Mean annual air temperature--about 8 degrees C
Mean annual precipitation--about 585 mm
Depth class--very deep
Drainage class--well drained
Soil moisture regime--xeric
Soil temperature regime--mesic
Soil moisture subclass--typic
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Ultic Argixerolls
Thickness of mollic epipedon--25 to 50 cm
Base saturation--50 to 75 percent in some part between depths of 25 and 75 cm
Soil moisture control section--dry 45 to 75 days
Mean annual soil temperature--8 to 12 degrees C
Content of clay in particle-size control section (weighted average)--20 to 35 percent
USE AND VEGETATION:
Use--dominantly crop production; some timber production
Potential natural vegetation--dominantly ponderosa pine, mallow ninebark, common snowberry, elk sedge, and bluebunch wheatgrass
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern Idaho and eastern Washington; MLRA 9; moderate extent
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/washington/spo...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/L/LARKIN.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: An example of a Hayesville soil. The subsoil is red clay. Depth to bedrock is more than 150 centimeters. (Soil Survey of
Grayson County, Virginia; by Robert K. Conner, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Hayesville series consists of very deep, well drained soils on gently sloping to very steep ridges and side slopes of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. They most commonly formed in residuum weathered from igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks such as granite, granodiorite, mica gneiss and schist; but in some places formed from thickly-bedded metagraywacke and metasandstone. On steeper slopes the upper part of some pedons may have some colluvial influence. Mean annual air temperature is 55 degrees F., and average annual precipitation is about 56 inches near the type location. Slopes range from 2 to 60 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, mesic Typic Kanhapludults
Solum thickness is 30 to 60 inches. Depth to bedrock is greater than 60 inches and ranges to more than 10 feet. Content of rock fragments ranges from 0 to 40 percent by volume in the A and E horizons and 0 to 15 percent in the B and C horizons. Rock fragments are commonly pebbles, cobbles, or stones, but may include channers or flagstones. Reaction is extremely acid to moderately acid unless limed. Limed soils are typically slightly acid to neutral in the upper part. Flakes of mica range from none to common in the A and B horizons above a depth of 40 inches, and from none to many in the B and C horizons below 40 inches.
USE AND VEGETATION: About one-half of the acres of this soil is in cultivation. Common trees in wooded areas are yellow- poplar, eastern white pine, northern red oak, pitch pine, shortleaf pine and Virginia pine. The understory includes flowering dogwood, rhododendron, mountain laurel and sourwood. Cleared areas are used for cultivated crops such as corn, small grain, pasture, hayland, burley tobacco, vegetable crops and Christmas trees.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Mountain areas of North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. The series is of large extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/virginia/VA077...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HAYESVILLE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
As indicated in the photo (R), this pedon was initially identified as a Wagram soil--an Arenic Kandiudult. However, note the color separations starting at about 120 cm (Bt3 horizon) leading to discussions about identification of contemporary versus relict aquic conditions and type of mottles.
In the pedon, areas of oxidation (red redox concentrations) and zones of reduction (gray areas) are present starting at a depth about 120 centimeters. Without water monitors, it is often difficult to determine if these segregations are the result of relic or contemporary conditions. In addition, the areas of iron concentration (reddish brown and red areas) are plinthite if they irreversible harden over time upon exposure.
The Wagram series has a seasonal high water table at a depth below 150 centimeters. This pedon clearly indicates morphological properties associated with a water table starting at about 120 centimeters.
The Bonneau series has a seasonal water table starting at a depth within 150 centimeters with less than 5 percent plinthite.
The Fuquay series has a seasonal high water table as shallow as 1 meter with 5 percent or more plinthite within 150 centimeters. This pedon would most likely best fit the Fuquay series--an Arenic Plinthic Kandiudult with a seasonal high water table at a depth below a meter.
For more information about the Fuquay series, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/F/FUQUAY.html
To learn more about describing soil horizons, visit;
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlyDyQT6_WE
To learn about the Field Book for describing soils, visit;
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM
____________________________________
The soil scientist is Dr. Warren Lynn, Research Soil Scientist, National Soil Survey Lab, NRCS-USDA, Lincoln, NE. Warren was a good friend and Mentor. He is missed by his friends and colleagues.
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.
The gently sloping, sandy and loamy soils of this unit are well suited to cultivated crops, hay, pasture, and forestland. (Fuquay loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes; Soil Survey of Crenshaw County, Alabama; by James M. Mason, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Setting
Landform: Ridges and high stream terraces
Landform position: Summits, shoulder slopes, and backslopes
Shape of areas: Irregular
Size of areas: 10 to 150 acres
Composition
Fuquay and similar soils: 90 percent
Dissimilar soils: 10 percent
Typical Profile
Surface layer:
0 to 4 inches—grayish brown loamy fine sand
Subsurface layer:
4 to 30 inches—yellowish brown and brownish yellow loamy fine sand
Subsoil:
30 to 40 inches—brownish yellow sandy loam
40 to 53 inches—yellowish brown sandy clay loam
53 to 68 inches—strong brown sandy clay loam that has reddish mottles and has
masses of nodular plinthite
68 to 80 inches—mottled yellowish brown, strong brown, light brownish gray, and red
sandy clay loam that has masses of nodular plinthite
Soil Properties and Qualities
Depth class: Very deep
Drainage class: Well drained
Permeability: Rapid in the surface and subsurface layers and slow in the subsoil
Available water capacity: Low
Seasonal high water table: Perched, at a depth of 4 to 6 feet from December through
March
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
Land Use
Dominant uses: Cropland, pasture, and hayland
Other uses: Forestland and wildlife habitat
Cropland
Suitability: Suited
Commonly grown crops: Corn, peanuts, cotton, and soybeans
Management concerns: Droughtiness and nutrient leaching
Management measures and considerations:
• Conservation tillage, winter cover crops, crop residue management, and a crop rotation that includes grasses and legumes increase available water capacity and improve fertility.
• Using supplemental irrigation and planting crop varieties that are adapted to droughty conditions increase productivity.
• Using split applications increases the effectiveness of fertilizer and herbicides.
• Applying lime and fertilizer on the basis of soil testing increases the availability of nutrients to plants and maximizes productivity.
Pasture and hayland
Suitability: Well suited
Commonly grown crops: Coastal bermudagrass and bahiagrass
Management concerns: Droughtiness and nutrient leaching
Management measures and considerations:
• Using supplemental irrigation and planting varieties that are adapted to droughty conditions increase production.
• Using split applications increases the effectiveness of fertilizer and herbicides.
• Applying lime and fertilizer on the basis of soil testing increases the availability of nutrients to plants and maximizes productivity.
For more information, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/alabama/AL041/...
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/F/FUQUAY.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Northeast Regional Soil Collegiate Competition ⛏📋🐾 #HuskyUnleashed #BloomOnward #EGGS #EnvironmentalGeoscience #SoilScience #geology #dirt
Alabama State Soil:
[www.soils4teachers.org/files/s4t/k12outreach/al-state-soi...]
[www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9QK7grSM-E]
Profile of a Bama soil. Bama soils formed in thick deposits of loamy sediments. They are very deep, well drained soils on summits of broad ridges and high stream terraces (Soil Survey of Bibb County, Alabama by Lawrence E. McGhee, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
The Bama series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils in the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A). They formed thick beds of loamy marine and fluvial sediments on high stream or marine terraces. Near the type location, the average annual air temperature is about 67 degrees F. and the average annual precipitation is about 63 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Paleudults
Solum thickness is more than 60 inches. Percent by volume of ironstone concretions and/or quartz gravel, 2 to 20 mm in diameter, ranges from 0 to 15 percent throughout the solum. Silt content of the particle-size control section ranges from 20 to 46 percent. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid in the A, Ap, E, BE, EB, BA and AB horizons except where the surface has been limed. Reaction in the Bt, BC and C horizons is very strongly acid or strongly acid.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Bama soils are used for cultivated crops, pasture, hayland, orchards or urban development. Crops commonly grown include corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat, and pecans. Some areas are in woodland that consist of longleaf pine, loblolly pine and slash pine with scattered oak, sweetgum, hickory and dogwood.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Coastal Plain of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Virginia. The series is of large extent.
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BAMA.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: A typical profile of Tusquitee gravelly loam. Tusquitee soils are very deep, have thick, dark surface layers, and formed from local colluvium. They occur in coves and drainageways on low or intermediate mountains predominantly in the eastern and western parts of Buncombe County, NC. (Soil Survey of Buncombe County, North Carolina; By Mark S. Hudson, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: Woodland and pasture in an area of Toecane-Tusquitee complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, very bouldery.
The Tusquitee series are on gently sloping to very steep benches, foot slopes, toe slopes, and fans in coves in the Southern Blue Ridge mountains, MLRA 130B. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is about 52 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is about 52 inches. Slope ranges from 2 to 95 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, isotic, mesic Humic Dystrudepts
Solum thickness ranges from 40 to more than 60 inches. Depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid, in the A horizon, unless limed. The Bw and lower horizons are very strongly acid to moderately acid. In the upper 40 inches, content of rock fragments, dominantly of gravel to stone size, ranges up to 35 percent. Below 40 inches, rock fragment content may range up to 60 percent. Content of mica flakes ranges from few to common.
USE AND VEGETATION: About one-half of the acreage has been cleared and is used for corn, small grain, tobacco, truck crops, clover, lespedeza, and pasture. Wooded areas consist mostly of yellow poplar, white oak, northern red oak, black locust, white ash, black birch, yellow birch, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, black cherry, cucumber tree, yellow buckeye, American beech, and sugar and red maples.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and possibly Georgia and South Carolina. The series is of large extent.
The 12/97 revision places the Tusquitee series in a fine-loamy, isotic, mesic Umbric Dystrochrepts family. This series was formerly placed in a coarse-loamy, mixed, mesic Umbric Dystrochrepts family. Laboratory PSA (pipette) method and corresponding field texture estimates (feel method) indicate control section clay contents of generally 12 to 24 percent, with most pedons marginally coarse-loamy. However, chemical lab data for similar competing series indicate that sufficient amorphous, clay-sized materials occur in the particle-size control section to place this soil in a fine-loamy family. Average clay contents are generally less than 25 percent.
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/T/TUSQUITEE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Humid climates led to erosion on the mountains and alluvial deposition on the plains, while arid climates meant more eolian activity and dune building. Throughout the Quaternary period, but particularly during glacial periods, the whole Arabian Gulf was almost dry and the sea retreated to the Straits of Hormuz. At this time the united Tigris and Euphrates rivers extended the entire length of the Gulf, with perhaps occasional lakes, and carried large loads of sediments that were deposited during periods of flooding and then reworked by the dominant northwesterly Shamal winds. The Shamal is primarily responsible for the formation and continued evolution of the dune fields seen in the Northern Emirates today. These powerful winds not only created extensive dune fields but also deflated areas, leaving small plains of alluvial material exposed between dune systems, where groundwater levels approach the surface.
A representative soil profile of the Lissagriffin series in an area of unimproved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in coarse loamy material over shale bedrock.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=06...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Typical Groundwater Gleys (soils influenced by water).
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
In South Korea are areas adjacent to the DMZ referred to as the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) where public access is restricted. Most of these areas are heavily farmed.
South Korean farmers see these area adjacent to the DMZ as valuable soil, frequently planting crops despite warnings to stay away, a typical example of how South Korea's population has encroached on once-rural training areas.
In 1996 and 1998, unexploded ordnance killed two Korean civilians who had entered the Story range to look for scrap metal. Unexploded munitions and live-fire exercises make the area very dangerous. Unexploded ordnance in that area presents a very real and significant danger to anyone walking in the area. This danger is greatly amplified if someone is planting or harvesting crops... or sampling soils!
The South Korean Army supervises farming. Farmers must have a pass to cross any of the three bridges, guarded by South Korean soldiers, leading to the CCZ. Normally, range control officials and Army explosive ordnance disposal teams would clear munitions from the area annually. But many of these areas are swampy, and teams can only look for duds on the surface.
Additionally, the entire area just south of the DMZ is rife with mines. Many are newer mines laid by the South Korean Army as part of the DMZ defense. But there are unmarked mine fields, and monsoon rains shift mines around. Korean contractors and 8th Army personnel have uncovered about 30 mines while putting in fence posts.
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Sebree series.
Landscape: Sebree soils are generally on terraces and basalt plains. Slopes range from 0 to 12 percent. Elevations range from 2,000 to 4,500 feet. The soil formed in loess overlying unconsolidated fan or fluviatile sediments. The climate is semiarid and summers are dry. They are mainly used for rangeland and irrigated cropland. Crops are small grains, corn, alfalfa and pasture.
The Sebree series consists of moderately deep over a duripan, well drained soils on terraces or alluvial plains. They formed in loess over unconsolidated alluvial sediments. Permeability is slow. Slopes are 0 to 12 percent. The average annual precipitation is about 10 inches and the average annual air temperature is about 49 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Xeric Natridurids
Average annual soil temperature - 47 to 54 degrees F.
Depth to duripan - 20 to 40 inches
Depth to calcium carbonate - 7 to 20 inches
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for rangeland and irrigated cropland. Crops are small grains, corn, alfalfa and pasture. Under natural conditions the soil is barren or nearly so; some cheatgrass, pepperweed, and stunted big sagebrush are around the edges of individual areas.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. The series is moderately extensive.
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/S/SEBREE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A Lithic Petrogypsid from the interior of the UAE.
Lithic Petrogypsids have lithic contact within 50 cm of the soil surface (UAE Keys to Soil Taxonomy). The "lithic" subgroup in Petrogypsids is not currently recognized in Soil Taxonomy.
Petrogypsids are the Gypsids that have a petrogypsic or petrocalcic horizon that has its upper boundary within 100 cm of the soil surface. These soils occur in very arid areas of the world where the parent material is high in content of gypsum. When the petrogypsic horizon is close to the surface, crusting forms pseudohexagonal patterns on the soil surface. Petrogypsids occupy old surfaces. In Syria and Iraq, they are on the highest terraces along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. These soils are not extensive in the United States but are extensive in other countries.
Gypsids are the Aridisols that have a gypsic or petrogypsic horizon within 100 cm of the soil surface. Accumulation of gypsum takes place initially as crystal aggregates in the voids of the soils. These aggregates grow by accretion, displacing the enclosing soil material. When the gypsic horizon occurs as a cemented impermeable layer, it is recognized as the petrogypsic horizon. Each of these forms of gypsum accumulation implies processes in the soils, and each presents a constraint to soil use. One of the largest constraints is dissolution of the gypsum, which plays havoc with structures, roads, and irrigation delivery systems. The presence of one or more of these horizons, with or without other diagnostic horizons, defines the great groups of the Gypsids. Gypsids occur in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, West Asia, and some of the most arid areas of the western part of the United States. Gypsids are on many segments of the landscape. Some of them have calcic or related horizons that overlie the gypsic horizon.
For more information about soil classification in the UAE, visit:
vdocument.in/united-arab-emirates-keys-to-soil-taxonomy.h...
A representative profile of the Fedscreek soil series. (Kentucky Soil Atlas; by Anastasios D. Karathanasis; Photo by D. McIntosh, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: hills and mountains in Cumberland Plateau and Mountains
Landform: hillslope, mountain side,
Geomorphic Component: benches, side slope, base slopes
Hillslope Profile Position: back slope, footslope and toeslopes
Parent Material Origin: sandstone and siltstone
Parent Material Kind: Colluvium
Slope: 8 to 90 percent
Elevation: 183 to 1219 meters, 600 to 4000 feet
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, semiactive, mesic Typic Dystrudepts
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Forestry
Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--Less sloping areas are used for pasture and as sites for houses or gardens. Where wooded--are in secondary growth hardwood forest with mixed stands of white oak, American beech, mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, black oak, sugar maple, sassafras, red maple, chestnut oak, Virginia pine, and flowering dogwood.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Allegheny-Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky with possible similar areas in West Virginia, Virginia, and eastern Tennessee
Extent: Large, approximately 200,000 acres.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_book/4/?utm_source=uknowledge.uky....
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/F/FEDSCREEK.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
As salt crystals accumulate and grow, they cause the soil surface to heave a few inches. This results in the large polygonal pattern and surface roughness. The low angle of the sun accentuates the surface pattern in this photo.
Illustrated Guide to Soil Taxonomy (p. 4-115)
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Toccoa series. Toccoa soils formed in coarse alluvial sediments. These very deep, well drained and moderately well drained soils generally have stratified loamy and sandy material. (Soil Survey of Coosa County, Alabama; by John L. Burns, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: A flood plain along Hatchet Creek in an area of Toccoa fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded. Hatchet Creek is a popular waterway for canoeists and kayakers because of its rapid flow in the spring. These rapid currents allow for coarser soil materials to be laid down during floods, which assists in the formation of the Toccoa soil.
Depth Class: Very deep
Drainage Class (Agricultural): well drained and moderately well drained
Internal Free Water Occurrence: Moderately deep to deep, common
Flooding Frequency and Duration: Occasional to frequent for brief to very brief periods, October to May
Ponding Frequency and Duration: None
Index Surface Runoff: Very low
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: High
Shrink-swell Potential: Low
Landscape: Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plain valleys
Landform: Flood plains and natural levees
Parent Material: Loamy and sandy alluvium from igneous and metamorphic rocks
Slope: 0 to 4 percent
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, active, nonacid, thermic Typic Udifluvents
Depth to seasonal high water table: 76 to 152 centimeters (about 30 to 60 inches), November to April
Depth to strongly gleyed horizons: Greater than 100 centimeters (about 40 inches) to horizons with matrix color (moist) that have chroma of 2 or less
Depth to lithologic discontinuity (contrasting sand sizes): 100 to 200 centimeters or more (about 40 to 80 inches)
Rock fragment content: 0 to 5 percent, by volume; up to 60 percent in individual subhorizons in the lower part
Soil Reaction: strongly acid to moderately acid, unless limed; some part in the control section is moderately acid or slightly acid
Mica content: 1 to 30 percent, by volume mica flakes in the A and C horizons
Other Soil Features: Bedding planes and thin strata of sandy or loamy texture occur throughout the C horizon
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Cropland, hayland, pasture
Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--corn, grain sorghums, small grain, and vegetables. Where wooded--yellow-poplar, loblolly pine, southern red oak and sweet gum
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia
Extent: Moderate
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/alabama/AL037/...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/T/TOCCOA.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of Spieden soil in an area of Sholander-Spieden complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes. (Soil Survey of San Juan County, Washington; by Michael Regan, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
The Spieden series consists of very deep, poorly drained soils formed in glacial outwash. Spieden soils are in drainageways and depressions of outwash plains. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. Average annual precipitation is about 24 inches. The average annual temperature is about 50 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, isotic, mesic Typic Endoaquolls (Photo taken during dry period reflecting dry soil color))
Average annual soil temperature - 50 to 52 degrees F.
Mollic epipedon thickness - 10 to 14 inches
Depth to redoximorphic features - 0 to 8 inches
Reaction - moderately acid to neutral
Particle size control section:
Clay content - 0 to 5 percent
Rock fragments - 0 to 30 percent gravel, 0 to 5 percent cobbles, 0 to 35 percent total
USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used mainly for pasture, forestry, and watershed. Potential natural vegetation consists of Sitka spruce, red alder, lodgepole pine, clustered rose, salmonberry, trailing blackberry, red elderberry, common snowberry, stinging nettle, swordfern, slough sedge, field horsetail, and scouring-rush horsetail.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Puget Sound valleys in Northwest Washington; MLRA 2, Northern Part. Series is of small 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/S/SPIEDEN.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
FUQUAY SERIES
MLRA(s): 133A-Southern Coastal Plain, 153A-Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (upper part)
Depth Class: Very deep
Drainage Class (Agricultural): Well drained
Internal Free Water Occurrence: Deep or very deep, common
Flooding Frequency and Duration: None
Ponding Frequency and Duration: None
Slowest Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: Moderately low
Landscape: Upper and middle coastal plains
Landform: Marine terraces, uplands, flats
Geomorphic Component: Interfluves, side slopes
Hillslope Profile Position: Summits, shoulders, backslopes
Parent Material: Sandy over loamy marine deposits or fluviomarine deposits
Slope: 0 to 10 percent
Elevation (type location): Unknown
Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 16.7 degrees C. (about 62 degrees F.)
Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 1240 millimeters (about 49 inches)
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Arenic Plinthic Kandiudults
Note: This pedon has more than 50 percent by volume plinthite below a depth of 150 centimeters
For more information on Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/class/
TYPICAL PEDON: Fuquay sand--cultivated (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)
Ap--0 to 20 centimeters; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sand; single grain; loose; common fine roots; few (1 percent) nodules of ironstone; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
E1--20 to 35 centimeters; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4) sand; many coarse light gray (2.5Y 7/2) bodies of clean sand grains in lower part; single grain; loose; few fine roots; 1 percent ironstone nodules; strongly acid; diffuse wavy boundary.
E2--35 to 60 centimeters; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4) sand; many coarse light gray (2.5Y 7/2) bodies of clean sand grains in lower part; single grain; loose; few fine roots; 3 percent ironstone nodules; strongly acid; diffuse wavy boundary.
Btv1--60 to 125 centimeters; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; 1 percent ironstone nodules; 5 percent plinthite nodules, red and brown zones of plinthite are very firm and brittle; f common medium faint strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Btv2--125 to 175 centimeters; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4) sandy clay loam; weak medium angular blocky structure, friable; few fine roots and pores; few faint clay films on faces of peds; 4 percent medium and coarse strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) ironstone nodules; 15 percent plinthite nodules, red and brown zones of plinthite are very firm and brittle; fstrongly acid; abrupt wavy boundary.
BCtv1--175 to 275 centimeters; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) sandy clay loam; coatings and streaks of light gray (10YR 7/2) sandy clay; few linear streaks of yellowish red (5YR 4/6) sandy loam; weak medium angular blocky structure; friable; common fine pores; 55 percent plinthite nodules, red and brown zones of plinthite are very firm and brittle; few faint clay films on faces of peds; light gray areas are iron depletions and yellowish red areas are masses of oxidized iron; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
BCtv2--275 to 325 centimeters: reticulate pattern of brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and yellowish red (5YR 5/8) sandy clay loam and light gray (10YR 7/1) sandy clay; gray parts are surrounded by brownish yellow colors that grade into yellowish red colors; weak medium angular blocky structure; firm; few fine pores; 25 percent plinthite nodules; few faint brownish yellow clay films on faces of peds; the areas with yellowish red color are masses of oxidized iron and areas with light gray are iron depletions; strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
CB--325 to 375 centimeters; yellowish red (5YR 5/8) loamy sand; massive; very friable; common fine and coarse faint red (2.5YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron and few fine brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) iron depletions; strongly acid.
C--375 to 425 centimeters; yellowish red (5YR 5/8) loamy sand; massive; very friable; common fine and coarse faint red (2.5YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron and few fine brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) iron depletions; strongly acid.
TYPE LOCATION: Johnston County, North Carolina; 0.03 mile south of junction of North Carolina Highways 50 and 210, 126 feet north of County Road No.1320 and 250 feet west of North Carolina Highway 50.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Depth to top of Argillic horizon: 50 to 100 centimeters (about 20 to 40 inches)
Depth to base of Argillic horizon: 150 to more than 200 centimeters (about 60 to more than 78 inches)
Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 200 centimeters (about 78 inches)
Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: 100 to 150 centimeters or more (about 40 to 60 inches or more), January to March
Thickness of the sandy surface and subsurface layers: 50 to 100 centimeters (about 20 to 40 inches)
Content and Size of Rock Fragments: 0 to 35 percent, by volume, in the A, E, and BE horizons and 0 to 15 percent throughout the lower profile; mostly rounded nodules of ironstone
Organic matter content: 0.5 to 2.0 percent in the A horizon and less than 0.5 in E, B, and C horizons
(Effective) Cation Exchange Capacity: 2 to 10 milliequivalents per 100 grams of soil in the A horizon; 1 to 4 in E and B horizons; and 2 to 5 in the C horizon
Soil Reaction: Extremely acid to moderately acid, except where limed
Plinthite Content: Greater than 5 percent within a depth of 150 centimeters (about 60 inches) starting at a depth greater than 50 centimeters (about 20 inches)
Range of Individual Horizons:
Ap horizon or A horizon (where present):
Color--hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 3 to 5, chroma of 1 to 3
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--coarse sand, sand, loamy coarse sand, loamy sand, fine sand, or loamy fine sand
Clay content: 1 to 10 percent
E horizon:
Color--hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 to 7, chroma of 3 to 6. Some pedons have mottles in shades of these colors.
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--coarse sand, sand, loamy coarse sand, loamy sand, fine sand, or loamy fine sand
Clay content: 1 to 10 percent
BE horizon (where present):
Color--hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 5 or 6, chroma of 3 to 8
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--loamy coarse sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, or fine sandy loam
Clay content: 4 to 12 percent
Bt or Btc horizon (where present):
Color--hue of 7.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or sandy clay loam
Clay content: 10 to 35 percent in the upper part and 18 to 35 in the lower part
Redoximorphic features (where present)--masses of oxidized iron in shades of red, yellow, or brown and iron depletions in shades of brown, yellow, olive, or gray
Btg horizon (where present):
Color--hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 8, chroma of 1 to 2
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or sandy clay loam
Clay content: 18 to 35 percent
Redoximorphic features--masses of oxidized iron in shades of red, yellow, or brown and iron depletions in shades of brown, yellow, or gray
Btv horizon or Btcv horizon (where present):
Color--hue of 10R to 2.5Y, value of 4 to 8, chroma of 1 to 8
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or sandy clay loam
Clay content: 18 to 35 percent
Redoximorphic features--masses of oxidized iron in shades of red, yellow, or brown and iron depletions in shades of brown, yellow, olive, or gray commonly in a reticulate pattern
Other features--bodies of reddish plinthite surrounded by strong brown and yellowish brown material. The reddish and brownish parts are typically sandy clay loam or sandy loam. The gray parts are sandy clay loam or sandy clay. Generally, the redder parts of the plinthite are oriented horizontally.
BCt, BC, or C horizons (where present):
Color--hue of 2.5YR to 2.5Y, value of 4 to 8, chroma of 1 to 8 and may be variegated in shades of these colors
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--loamy coarse sand, loamy sand , loamy fine sand, sandy loam, or fine sandy loam
Clay content: 4 to 20 percent
Redoximorphic features--masses of oxidized iron in shades of red, yellow, or brown and iron depletions in shades of brown, yellow, olive, or gray
C horizon:
Color--hue of 2.5YR, 5YR, 7.5YR, 10YR, or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 8, chroma of 1 to 8
Texture (fine-earth fraction)--loamy coarse sand, loamy sand, or sandy loam
Clay content: commonly 5 to 20 percent
Redoximorphic features--masses of oxidized iron in shades of red, yellow, or brown and iron depletions in shades of brown, yellow, olive, or gray commonly in a reticulate pattern
COMPETING SERIES:
There are no other known series in the same family.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:
Elevation Range: 30 to 150 meters (about 100 to 500 feet)
Frost Free Period: 190 to 290 days
Mean Annual Air Temperature: 14 to 21 degrees C. (about 57 to 70 degrees F.)
Mean Annual Precipitation: 890 to 1400 millimeters (about 35 to 55 inches)
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS:
Cowarts soils--have sandy A and E horizons less than 20 inches thick
Dothan soils--have sandy A and E horizons less than 20 inches thick
Lakeland soils--do not have plinthite or argillic horizon
Leefield soils--are somewhat poorly drained
Norfolk soils--have sandy A and E horizons less than 20 inches thick
Stilson soils--are moderately well drained
Tifton soils--have sandy A and E horizons less than 20 inches thick
Troup soils--do not have plinthite and have sandy A and E horizons more than 40 inches thick
Varina soils--have sandy A and E horizons less than 20 inches thick
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY:
Drainage Class (Agricultural): Well drained
Internal Free Water Occurrence: Deep or very deep, common; perched above the plinthic layer briefly during wet periods or at lower elevations it has an apparent water table
Flooding Frequency and Duration: None
Ponding Frequency and Duration: None
Index Surface Runoff: Negligible to high
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: Moderately high (4.23 to 14.11 micrometers per second) in the upper part (0.42 to 1.41 micrometers per second) in the lower part
Permeability: Moderate in upper part, slow in lower part
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Cropland
Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--tobacco, cotton, corn, soybeans, and small grains. Where wooded--loblolly pine, longleaf pine, and slash pine, with some hardwoods, understory plants including American holly, flowering dogwood, persimmon, and greenbrier.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Upper Coastal Plain of North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
Extent: Large
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Raleigh, North Carolina
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Johnston County, North Carolina; 1965. BENCHMARK SOIL.
REMARKS:
06/88. Revised the classification to Arenic Plinthic Kandiudults according to criteria in the Low Activity Clay Amendment to Soil Taxonomy, August 1986.
11/2007. The base elevation range was extended to 30 meters (100 feet). The intent is to restrict Fuquay soils to areas above the toe of the Surry scarp.
Diagnostic horizons and soil characteristics recognized in this pedon are:
Ochric epipedon--the zone from the surface of the soil to 86 centimeters (Ap and E horizons)
Kandic horizon--the zone between 86 to 244 centimeters has low activity clay in more than 50 percent of the upper 100 centimeters of the horizon (Bt, Bt, and Btv horizons)
Argillic horizon--the zone from 86 to 244 centimeters (Bt, Bt, and Btv horizons)
Plinthite--more than 5 percent plinthite nodules in the zone from 127 to 244 centimeters (Btv horizons)
ADDITIONAL DATA:
Laboratory Data: Characterization/Reference data are available from NRCS-Soil Survey Laboratory, Lincoln, NE.; User Pedon ID (S06GA251001) or Lab Pedon Number (06NO934) is representative of the Fuquay Series.
National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/F/FUQUAY.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
The Bethlehem series consists of well drained, moderately deep soils on ridgetops and side slopes in the upper part of the Piedmont. They formed in residuum weathered from the high-grade metamorphic rocks such as sillimanite schist, phyllite schist, and mica schist. Slopes range from 2 to 45 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
The solum ranges from 20 to 40 inches thick over a Cr horizon of weathered bedrock. Hard bedrock is deeper than 40 inches. Reaction is very strongly acid to moderately acid unless limed. Content of flakes of mica ranges from few to common in the A and upper B horizons, and from few to many in the lower B and C horizons. Rock fragment content ranges from 0 to 60 percent by volume in the A horizon, from 0 to 35 percent in the E, BA, BE, and Bt horizons, and from 15 to 60 percent in the BC and C horizons. Fragments are dominantly gravel or cobbles.
USE AND VEGETATION: Approximately half of the acreage is cleared. Chief crops are hay, corn, tobacco, and pasture. The remainder is in mixed hardwoods and pines including shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, scarlet oak, chestnut oak, white oak, and black oak. Common understory plants are sourwood, flowering dogwood, greenbrier, sassafras, grape, poison ivy, American holly, and blueberry.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. This series is of moderate extent.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BETHLEHEM.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Current faculty, staff and alumni gathered at the Plant and Soil Science Reunion in the Plant Science Plaza during Roundup week.
(Original photo and comments courtesy of Stan Buol, NCSU.)
The original photo may be viewed at:
www.flickr.com/photos/soilscience/5140651790/in/photolist...
This profile (a (coarse-loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Lithic Hapludoll) was photographed in São Paulo state Brazil SA. The soil is formed over calcareous sandstone at the edge, shoulder position below a plateau covered with Oxisols formed in thick oxidized sediments. The lithic contact, seen in this photo at 50 cm is at the limit of the Lithic subgroup classification. Mollisols formed in base enriched sediments from the calcareous sandstone also dominate the side slopes directly below this site are thicker and classify as Typic Hapludolls and Typic Argiudolls. Base saturation in the soils formed in and from sediments derived from the calcareous sandstone range from 50 to 90%. In surrounding Oxisols base saturation percentages are mostly less than 10%. Although Mollisols are present in only a small portion of the area their presence of in an area dominated by Oxisols illustrates the significance of parent material properties in determining soil properties.
____________________________
Lithic Hapludolls have a shallow lithic contact. The mollic epipedon commonly extends to the rock. Some of the soils have impeded drainage because of shallow, impermeable rock. Lithic Hapludolls are of moderate extent and are widely distributed in the United States. Slopes are gentle to very steep. Many of the soils supported grasses, but some supported trees and shrubs. Most are used as rangeland or wildlife habitat.
Hapludolls are the Udolls that generally have a cambic horizon below a mollic epipedon. There may be a Bk horizon below the cambic horizon, and a few of the soils have enough secondary carbonates for a calcic horizon. Hapludolls formed mostly in Holocene or late-Pleistocene deposits or on surfaces of that age. Slopes generally are gentle, and most of the soils are cultivated. Hapludolls are extensive soils in Iowa, Minnesota, and adjacent states.
Udolls are the more or less freely drained Mollisols of humid climates. In addition to the mollic epipedon, these soils may have a cambic, calcic, natric, or argillic horizon. They formed mainly in late-Pleistocene or Holocene deposits or on surfaces of comparable ages. In the United States, their vegetation at the time of settlement was dominantly a tall grass prairie, but some of the soils on Pleistocene surfaces appear to have supported at some time a boreal forest that was supplanted by grasses several thousand years ago.
For more information about describing soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/field-book.pdf
For additional information about soil classification using Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Keys-to-Soi...
A soil profile of Belhaven muck from the Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia. The Great Dismal Swamp is a large swamp in the Coastal Plain Region of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, between Norfolk, Virginia, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It is located in parts of the southern Virginia independent cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk and northern North Carolina counties of Gates, Pasquotank, and Camden. Some estimates place the size of the original swamp at over one million acres.
MLRA(s): 153A, 153B
Depth Class: Very deep
Drainage Class: Very poorly drained
Permeability: Moderately slow to moderately rapid
Surface Runoff: Very slow
Parent Material: Highly decomposed organic matter underlain by loamy marine sediments
Slope: 0 to 2 percent
Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 60 degrees F.
Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 51 inches
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, mixed, dysic, thermic Terric Haplosaprists
Thickness of Organic Layers: 16 to 51 inches
Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 60 inches
Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: 0 to 12 inches, November to May
Soil Reaction: Organic layers are ultra acid to extremely acid (in 0.01 M CaCl2) except where the surface has been limed. The underlying mineral horizons are extremely acid through moderately alkaline
Fiber content of Oa horizons: 15 percent to 45 percent unrubbed and less than 10 percent rubbed. The amount of fiber is highest in the lower tier. The organic material of this layer has a slick feel and is paste-like (colloidal). It is massive under natural wet conditions. Upon aeration after drainage, structure of the organic material evolves. Excessive drying causes shrinkage and hard subangular blocky peds to form. These peds dry irreversibly.
Other Features: Logs, stumps, and fragments of wood occupy 0 to 5 percent of the upper organic horizons in cleared areas that are cultivated and 5 to 35 percent in undrained areas. Pieces of charcoal range from common (2 to 8 percent) in the upper tier to few (less than 2 percent) in the lower tiers
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Mostly woodland
Dominant Vegetation: Where wooded--plant communities that reflect past history of treatment. Areas with a history of severe burning have scattered pond pine and a dense undergrowth of both large holly and small gallberry and huckleberry, fetterbush lyonia, swamp cyrilla, loblollybay gordonia, greenbrier and southern bayberry, as well as scattered red maple, red bay, sweetbay magnolia, and reeds. Similar areas may have a smaller population of these species and contain large amounts of broomsedge. Areas without severe burning have red maple, Southern bald cypress, pond pine, Atlantic white-cedar, red bay, sweet bay, and other hydrophytic species. Where cultivated--corn, soybeans, small grain, and pasture.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina and Virginia
Extent: Moderate
For more detailed information, please visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BELHAVEN.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Myakka series: the State Soil of Florida. (Soil Survey of Okeechobee County, Florida; by Douglas Lewis, Ken Liudahl, Chris Noble, and Lewis Carter, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Myakka series consists of very deep, very poorly or poorly drained, moderately rapid or moderately permeable soils that occur primarily in mesic flatwoods of peninsular Florida. They formed in sandy marine deposits. Near the type location, the average annual temperature is about 72 degrees F., and the average annual precipitation is about 55 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 8 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Aeric Alaquods
Solum thickness is more than 30 inches. Some pedons have a layer of muck less than 3 inches thick on the surface. Thickness of the A and E horizons ranges from 20 to 30 inches. Reaction ranges from extremely acid to slightly acid throughout. In tidal, limestone substratum, and shelly substratum phases, the reaction ranges up to moderately alkaline.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Myakka soils are used for commercial forest production or native range. Large areas with adequate water control measures are used for citrus, improved pasture, and truck crops. Native vegetation includes longleaf and slash pine with an undergrowth of saw palmetto, running oak, inkberry, wax myrtle, huckleberry, chalky bluestem, pineland threeawn, and scattered fetterbush.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Peninsular Florida, primarily in MLRA155 (Southern Florida Flatwoods), and to a less extent in MLRA 154 (South-Central Florida Ridge), MLRA156A (Florida Everglades and Associated Areas), and MLRA156B (Southern Florida Lowlands). The series is of large extent (about 1,400,072 acres).
Myakka soils were formerly classified in the Leon series. Historical mapping of the Myakka series includes the following landforms and geomorphic positions: high tidal areas, flood plains, depressions, and gently sloping to sloping barrier islands. Myakka map units on these landforms should be evaluated and validated during MLRA update activities.
For more information about this state soil, visit:
www.soils4teachers.org/files/s4t/k12outreach/fl-state-soi...
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/florida/FL093/...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MYAKKA.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of the Birchwood series. (Photo provided by Jim Turenne, USDA-NRCS; New England Soil Profiles)
The Birchwood series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils formed in a mantle of sandy material overlying dense till on uplands. They are nearly level to strongly sloping soils on plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent. Permeability is moderately rapid or rapid in the surface layer, rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and slow to very slow in the dense substratum. Mean annual temperature is about 50 degrees F. and the mean annual precipitation is about 45 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Mixed, mesic Aquic Udipsamments
Thickness of the solum and depth to the dense substratum ranges from 20 to 38 inches. Depth to bedrock is commonly more than six feet. Rock fragments range from 0 to 25 percent in the surface layer, 0 to 20 percent in the subsoil and from 5 to 35 percent in the substratum. Except where the surface layer is stony, the fragments are mostly subrounded pebbles and typically make up 65 percent or more of the total rock fragments. Unless limed, the soil is very strongly acid to slightly acid, but some horizon between 10 and 40 inches is moderately acid or slightly acid.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are used for hay and pasture but some acreage is used for tobacco, vegetables, potatoes, and silage corn. Some areas are used for community development. A few areas are idle or used as woodland. Common trees are red, white and black oak, red maple, white ash, gray birch, and white pine.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Sandy mantled glaciated uplands of Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island; MLRA 144A. The series is of small extent.
For additional information about New England soils, visit:
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BIRCHWOOD.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile of the Wilkes series. (Soil Survey of Jasper County, Georgia; by James R. Latham and Grover J. Thomas, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Depth class: Shallow
Agricultural Drainage Class: Well drained
Permeability: Moderately slow to slow
Index Surface Runoff: High to very high
Parent Material: Residuum weathered from intermediate and mafic crystalline rocks
Shrink-swell potential: High
Slope: 4 to 60 percent
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, mixed, active, thermic, shallow Typic Hapludalfs
Solum thickness: 10 to 25 inches (25 to 64 centimeters)
Depth to soft bedrock: 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 centimeters)
Depth to hard bedrock: 40 to more than 60 inches (100 to 150+ centimeters)
Content and size of rock fragments: 0 to 50 percent in the A horizon consisting of gravel, cobble and stone size fragments and 0 to 35 percent in the Bt horizons.
Dark concretions: none to common.
Soil reaction: strongly acid through slightly acid in the A and E horizons if present, and moderately acid through mildly alkaline in the lower horizons
Clay content: averages 18 to 35 percent
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Woodland, pasture and cropland (mainly small grain, lespedeza, corn and tobacco).
Dominant trees are shortleaf, loblolly, and Virginia pines, eastern red cedar, blackjack oak, and post oak.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Thermic Piedmont area of Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Extent: Moderate The series is of moderate extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/georgia/GA159/...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WILKES.html
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A grassed waterway constructed on Bedford silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes. The waterway and the use of no-till cropping systems reduce sheet and rill erosion. (Soil Survey of Harrison County, Indiana; by Steven W. Neyhouse, Sr., Byron G. Nagel, Gary R. Struben, and Steven Blanford, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landform: Hills underlain with Mississippian limestone bedrock
Position on landform: Summits and shoulders
Map Unit Composition
85 percent Bedford and similar soils
10 percent well drained Crider and similar soils on summits and shoulders
5 percent somewhat poorly drained, nearly level Bromer and similar soils in
depressions on karst landscapes
Interpretive Groups
Land capability classification: 2e
Prime farmland: All areas are prime farmland
Properties and Qualities of the Bedford Soil
Parent material: Loess, loamy materials, and the underlying paleosol in clayey
residuum over Mississippian limestone bedrock
Drainage class: Moderately well drained
Permeability range to a depth of 40 inches: Very slow to moderate
Permeability range below a depth of 40 inches: Very slow to moderate
Depth to restrictive feature: 20 to 38 inches to fragipan
Available water capacity: About 7.1 inches to a depth of 60 inches
Organic matter content of surface layer: 1.0 to 3.0 percent
Shrink-swell potential: High
Highest perched seasonal high water table (depth, months): 1.5 feet; January,
February, and March
Ponding: None
Flooding: None
Hydric soil: No
Potential frost action: High
Corrosivity: High for steel and high for concrete
Potential for surface runoff: Medium
Water erosion susceptibility: Moderate
Wind erosion susceptibility: Slight
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BEDFORD.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A profile of Rubais soil and pastureland in an area of Rubias-Chiquito complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes and Rubias-Chiquito complex, 60 to 90 percent slopes. (Soil Survey of San Germán Area, Puerto Rico by Jorge L. Lugo-Camacho, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
Setting
Landscape: Mountain ranges
Landform: Ridges and mountain slopes
Major uses: Cropland and forestland
Elevation: 2,460 to 3,609 feet
Composition
Rubias and similar soils: 50 percent
Chiquito and similar soils: 40 percent
Dissimilar soils: 10 percent
Typical Profiles
Rubias
Surface layer:
0 to 8 inches—very dark grayish brown clay loam
Subsoil:
8 to 18 inches—very dark grayish brown clay loam
Substratum:
18 to 25 inches—brown loam
Bedrock:
25 to 50 inches—moderately weathered, unconsolidated mudstone
50 to 80 inches—hard, fractured, consolidated mudstone
Chiquito
Surface layer:
0 to 5 inches—dark grayish brown gravelly clay loam
Subsoil:
5 to 11 inches—brown very gravelly clay loam
11 to 18 inches—very dark grayish brown extremely gravelly clay loam
Bedrock:
18 inches—hard, fractured, consolidated mudstone
Minor Components
Dissimilar:
• Small areas of volcanic rock outcrop
Soil Properties and Qualities
Depth class: Rubias—moderately deep; Chiquito—shallow
Depth to bedrock: Rubias—18 to 50 inches; Chiquito—14 to 19 inches
Parent material: Residuum that weathered from mudstone
Surface runoff: High
Drainage class: Well drained
Permeability: Moderate
Available water capacity: Low or moderate
Flooding: None
Hazard of water erosion: Severe
Rock fragments in the surface layer: Less than 35 percent, by volume, pebbles
Extent of rock outcrop: 10 percent
Shrink-swell potential: Moderate
Natural fertility: Moderate
Content of organic matter in the surface layer: Moderate
Reaction: Slightly acid or neutral
Land Use
Dominant uses: Cropland
Other uses: Forestland
Agricultural Development
Cropland
Suitability: Unsuited
Commonly grown crops: Coffee; oranges; bananas; plantains
Management concerns: Erosion; slope; depth to bedrock
Pasture and hayland
Suitability: Unsuited
Management concerns: Erosion
Management measures and considerations:
• Erosion is a concern in unprotected areas.
Naturalized pastureland
Suitability: Unsuited
Management concerns: Erosion
Management measures and considerations:
• Erosion is a concern in unprotected areas.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/puerto_rico/PR...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/puerto_rico/PR...
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Vaucluse soils have a Bt horizon more than 6 inches thick that is compact, dense, and brittle in 30 to 60 percent of the mass. The brittleness is thought to be due to masses of oxidized iron. This horizon commonly has weak or moderate, medium or coarse subangular blocky structure but in some pedons it appears to be massive. It contains fine roots but medium and coarse roots are not usually present in the brittle part. Since establishment, the series has been classified as: Typic Hapludults, Fragic Paleudults, Typic Fragiudults, Typic Kanhapludults, and (2005) Fragic Kanhapludults. Further study of the soil is needed to accurately determine the dominant diagnostic characteristics.
MLRA(s): 133A-Southern Coastal Plain, 137-Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills
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: High, very high
Permeability: Moderately slow, slow (Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: Moderately high, moderately low
Shrink-swell Potential: Low
Landscape: Middle or upper coastal plain
Landform: Marine terraces, uplands
Geomorphic Component: Interfluves, side slopes
Hillslope Profile Position: Summits, shoulders, back slopes
Parent Material: Fluviomarine deposits, marine deposits
Slope: 2 to 25 percent, mostly 6 to 15 percent
Elevation (type location): Unknown
Frost Free Period (type location): 240 days
Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 62 degrees F.
Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 45 inches
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Fragic Kanhapludults
Thickness of the sandy surface and subsurface layers: 4 to 19 inches
Depth to top of the Argillic horizon: 4 to 19 inches
Depth to the base of the Argillic horizon: 40 to 75 inches
Depth to top of the Kandic horizon: 4 to 19 inches
Depth to fragic soil properties: 15 to 35 inches
Fragic soil properties content: 30 to 60 percent, by volume in the Btx horizon
Depth to densic materials: More than 40 inches
Depth to lithologic discontinuity (contrasting sand sizes or abrupt textural change): 40 inches or more
Soil reaction: Extremely acid to strongly acid throughout, unless limed
Depth to bedrock: Greater than 80 inches
Depth to seasonal high water table: Greater than 72 inches
Rock fragment content: 0 to 60 percent in the A and E horizons and 0 to 15 percent in the B and C horizons; mostly quartz or ironstone pebbles
Other features--0 to 10 percent, by volume, fine to coarse pockets or irregularly shaped masses of white or light gray kaolin clay
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Forest, cropland
Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--corn, cotton, small grain, soybeans, or pasture. Where wooded--loblolly and longleaf pine.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Extent: Large
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/V/VAUCLUSE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A Rougj-Orthic Primosol and landscape. These soils refer to the Orthic Primosols with the features of red sand shale, glutenite, and rrddish rocks in north China. They are formed on the basis mostly of Tertiary and partly of Quaternary red clay. They mainly distribute in the Loess Plateau, the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and red hilly regions in south of Yangtz-River. Parent materials are old deposits characterized by weak diagenesis and massive or semi-diagenetic shape. The vegetation is shrub and grass-shrub, composed of Robinia pseudoacacia, Artemisia annua, and potentilla,spp.
In Chinese Soil Taxonomy, Primosols are recent soils with no diagnostic horizons or only an ochric epipedon. In Soil Taxonomy these soils are mostly Entisols or some Gelisols.
For additional information about this soil and the Soils Museum, visit:
www.giwsr.com/en/article/index/199
For additional information about Soil Taxonomy, visit:
A representative soil profile of the series (Clayic Fluvic Eutric Gleysols) in England. (Cranfield University 2021. The Soils Guide. Available: www.landis.org.uk. Cranfield University, UK.)
Soils classified and described by the World Reference Base for England and Wales:
www.landis.org.uk/services/soilsguide/wrb_list.cfm
Fladbury soils are deep clayey alluvial soils. They are widespread on flat valley floors in the Midlands and South West England and occur to a limited extent in Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and South Glamorgan. They often flank rivers draining catchments of Jurassic rocks and hence occur mainly on or near the broad Jurassic outcrop from east Nottinghamshire to south Somerset.
Fladbury soils, pelo-alluvial gley soils, are clayey throughout and prominently mottled directly below the topsoil. The mapped areas cover just over 180 km² in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire alongside the Devon, Soar, Welland, Avon and their tributaries. Extensive tracts are Fladbury series with Wyre or Thames series only locally significant, as in the lower reaches of the Avon. Small areas of Stixwould soils are present where the alluvium thins over loamy and sandy glaciofluvial deposits, particularly towards the margins of the floodplains and in certain valleys such as that of the Wreake. Midelney soils are encountered occasionally where peat underlies alluvium at shallow depth.
Fladbury subsoils are usually slowly permeable. However, the primary source of waterlogging is groundwater which fluctuates seasonally with changes in the river level. The duration of waterlogging is often related to elevation. In winter months, a water-table is at shallow depth for long periods in many Thames and Fladbury soils (Wetness Class IV) and locally they suffer prolonged waterlogging (Wetness Class V). Thin peaty topsoils occur in some low-lying areas. On raised areas of the floodplain, where the waterlogging is less frequent,
These soils are predominantly under permanent grassland or long leys and rushes infest the wettest sites. Because of a large retained water capacity, there is a serious risk of poaching and the risk of flooding further curtails winter grazing. Nevertheless, the soils support good summer fattening pasture and mowing grass, growth being maintained during all but the driest periods by the large amount of available water (170 mm) and perhaps some additional moisture in spring from the groundwater-table. All three soils contain good reserves of potassium but are inherently poor in phosphorus, its level depending on recent fertilizer use. Manganese deficiencies are common in grass herbage and cereals.
In a few places, for example, on Ot Moor, the water-table is controlled by pump drainage and the land is used for winter cereals. The soils are difficult to manage, however, and as there are few opportunities in spring for landwork, timely autumn cultivation is essential. Arable cropping is also possible where Wyre and Usher soils are extensively associated..
For additional information about the soil association, visit:
www.landis.org.uk/services/soilsguide/mapunit.cfm?mu=81302
For more information on the World Reference Base soil classification system, visit:
www.ourstate.com/north-carolina-soil/
USA National Soils conferences convene every other year on the odd-numbered year to discuss and develop solutions to issues of national concern to the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
The 2011 conference was held at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, North Carolina, hosted by North Carolina State University.
Audience Profile
Participants of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) include representatives from the 1862 land-grant universities, experiment stations, NRCS, USFS, NPS, BLM, BIA, EPA, USFWS, National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA), National Association of Consulting Soil Scientists, the 1890 land-grant universities, and western tribal colleges. Other interested foreign and domestic groups, such as lead scientists from Canada, Mexico, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia are invited to participate as users of soil surveys. We also welcome students and their contributions to the future of soil survey.
For more information about the soils of North Carolina, visit:
Lithic Aquisalids and landscape in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(Classification by UAE Keys to Soil Taxonomy)
Lithic Aquisalids are the Aquisalids that have lithic contact within 50 cm of the soil surface. Lithic contact is a boundary between soil and continuous, coherent, underlying material. The underlying material must be sufficiently coherent to make hand-digging with a spade impractical. The material below a lithic contact must be in a strongly cemented or more cemented rupture-resistance class. Commonly, the material is indurated.
Aquisalids are the Salids that are saturated with water in one or more layers within 100 cm of the mineral soil surface for 1 month or more in normal years. These salty soils are in wet areas in the deserts where capillary rise and evaporation of water concentrate the salts near the surface. Some of these soils have redoximorphic depletions and concentrations. In other soils redoximorphic features may not be evident because of a high pH and the associated low redox potential, which inhibit iron and manganese reduction. These soils occur dominantly in depressional areas where ground water saturates the soils at least part of the year. The vegetation on these soils generally is sparse, consisting of salt-tolerant shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Although these soils may hold water at a tension less than 1500 kPa, the dissolved salt content makes the soils physiologically dry.
Salids are most common in depressions (playas) in the deserts or in closed basins in the wetter areas bordering the deserts. In North Africa and in the Near East, such depressions are referred to as Sabkhas depending on the presence or absence of surface water for prolonged periods. Under the arid environment and hot temperatures, accumulation of salts commonly occurs when there is a supply of salts and a net upward movement of water in the soils. In some areas a salic horizon has formed in salty parent materials without the presence of ground water. The most common form of salt is sodium chloride (halite), but sulfates (thenardite, mirabilite, and hexahydrite) and other salts may also occur.
Salids are Aridisols that are unsuitable for agricultural use, unless the salts are leached out. Leaching the salts is an expensive undertaking, particularly if there is no natural outlet for the drainage water.
Aridisols, as their name implies, are soils in which water is not available to mesophytic plants for long periods. During most of the time when the soils are warm enough for plants to grow, soil water is held at potentials less than the permanent wilting point or has a content of soluble salts great enough to limit the growth of plants other than halophytes, or both. The concept of Aridisols is based on limited soil moisture available for the growth of most plants. In areas bordering deserts, the absolute precipitation may be sufficient for the growth of some plants. Because of runoff or a very low storage capacity of the soils, or both, however, the actual soil moisture regime is aridic.
[www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-co...]
For more information about soil classification in the UAE, visit:
vdocument.in/united-arab-emirates-keys-to-soil-taxonomy.h...
A Typic Calcigypsid from the interior of the UAE.
Calcigypsids are the Gypsids that have a calcic horizon. Commonly, the calcic horizon is above the gypsic horizon because of differences in the solubility of gypsum and calcium carbonate. In the United States, these soils are known to occur in New Mexico. Most Calcigypsids are used for grazing.
The calcic horizon is an illuvial horizon in which secondary calcium carbonate or other carbonates have accumulated to a significant extent.
The gypsic horizon is a horizon in which gypsum has accumulated or been transformed to a significant extent (secondary gypsum (CaSO 4) has accumulated through more than 150 mm of soil, so that this horizon contains at least 5% more gypsum than the underlying horizon). It typically occurs as a subsurface horizon, but it may occur at the surface in some soils.
Gypsids are the Aridisols that have a gypsic or petrogypsic horizon within 100 cm of the soil surface. Accumulation of gypsum takes place initially as crystal aggregates in the voids of the soils. These aggregates grow by accretion, displacing the enclosing soil material. When the gypsic horizon occurs as a cemented impermeable layer, it is recognized as the petrogypsic horizon. Each of these forms of gypsum accumulation implies processes in the soils, and each presents a constraint to soil use.
One of the largest constraints is dissolution of the gypsum, which plays havoc with structures, roads, and irrigation delivery systems. The presence of one or more of these horizons, with or without other diagnostic horizons, defines the great groups of the Gypsids. Gypsids occur in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, West Asia, and some of the most arid areas of the western part of the United States. Gypsids are on many segments of the landscape. Some of them have calcic or related horizons that overlie the gypsic horizon.
For more information about describing soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052523...
For additional information about soil classification using Soil Taxonomy, visit:
sites.google.com/site/dinpuithai/Home
For more information about soil classification using the UAE Keys to Soil Taxonomy, visit:
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A representative soil profile and landscape of the Andover soil series from England. (Photos and information provided by LandIS, Land Information System: Cranfield University 2022. The Soils Guide. Available: www.landis.org.uk. Cranfield University, UK. Last accessed 14/01/2022). (Photos revised.)
These are shallow well drained calcareous silty soils over chalk on slopes and crests. Deep calcareous and non-calcareous fine silty soils in valley bottoms. Striped soil patterns locally.
They are classified as Calcaric Leptosols by the WRB soil classification system. (www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf)
For more information about this soil, visit:
A representative soil profile of the Blacktoft series (Calcaric Fluvic Endogleyic Cambisols) in England. (Cranfield University 2021. The Soils Guide. Available: www.landis.org.uk. Cranfield University, UK.)
The Blacktoft series is dominated by calcareous fine-silty soils in marine alluvium. It is widespread by the Humber in Northern England and occurs also in Eastern England in the Fens near King's Lynn and, in the South West, beside the Severn estuary in Somerset and Avon. The typical soil pattern is simple, with large expanses consisting only of the Blacktoft series, gleyic brown calcareous alluvial soils, and rare profiles of the Agney serie.
In most places the groundwater level is kept low, even in winter, by a system of pumped dykes. Soils therefore have a drier regime than the subsoil mottling suggests, being well drained or only occasionally waterlogged (Wetness Classes I or II). The soils have a large silt content and are thus able to hold water at tensions which can be easily utilized by plants. Available water in the rooting zone may be augmented by a capillary rise from groundwater.
The Blacktoft association forms fertile land, most of it easy or moderately easy to work. More difficult clayey soils are restricted in extent, mainly on the lowest ground. Present cropping reflects the potential of the land which, although chiefly under cereals, grows potatoes, sugar beet and field vegetables. In most years there is ample opportunity for autumn tillage. Drought is rarely a limitation and most crops except potatoes grow well without irrigation. Brussels sprouts and cabbage are grown, and need large applications of nitrogen fertilizer to yield well. Peas for freezing have increased in popularity in recent years. The soils are naturally fertile and as most are calcareous, lime is rarely necessary. Fertility is easily maintained. Manganese deficiency in sugar beet is possible where the pH is very high.
For additional information about the soil association, visit:
www.landis.org.uk/services/soilsguide/mapunit.cfm?mu=53201
For more information on the World Reference Base soil classification system, visit:
The Rub' al Khali is the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert covers some 650,000 square kilometres including parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It is part of the larger Arabian Desert. One very large pile of sand!!!
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Soil profile: Mariscal very channery loam, in an area of Mariscal-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes. Note the varying thickness of the fractured limestone bedrock and interbedded marl. (Soil Survey of Big Bend National Park, Texas; by: James Gordon, Soil Scientist, James A. Douglass, Soil Scientist, and Dr. Lynn E. Loomis, Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: An area of Mariscal-Terlingua complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes. Chino grama, creosotebush, skeletonleaf goldeneye, pricklypear, and yucca are on this site. The Mariscal part of this map unit is in the Flagstone Hill 8-14" PZ ecological site of MLRA 81D—Southern Edwards Plateau. The Terlingua part is in the Basalt Hills ecological site, Hot Desert Shrub vegetative zone of MLRA 42—Southern Desertic Basins, Plains, and Mountains.
The Mariscal series consists of very shallow or shallow, well drained soils that are moderately permeable above a very slowly permeable limestone bedrock. These soils formed in residuum and colluvium derived from beds of platy limestone. These soils are on gently sloping to very steep uplands. Slope ranges from 1 to 60 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 280 mm (11 inches) and the mean annual air temperature is about 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, carbonatic, hyperthermic Lithic Ustic Torriorthents
Soil moisture: The moisture control section is dry in all parts more than three fourths of the time the soil temperature exceeds 5.0 degrees C (41 degrees F). Intermittently moist in some part of the soil moisture control section during June to September. More than 60 percent of the annual rainfall occurs during that period. The soil does not receive significant amounts of moisture during winter months. Ustic aridic soil moisture regime.
Mean annual soil temperature: 22.0 to 25.6 degrees C (72 to 78 degrees F)
Depth to bedrock: mainly 10 to 30 cm, but ranging up to 50 cm (4 to 12 inches, but ranging up to 20 inches).
Particle size control section (weighted average):
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 40 to 70 percent in the fine earth fraction and ranges to 80 percent when less than 20 millimeter fragments are included.
Rock fragments: 35 to 85 percent channers or flagstones.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used as rangeland. Vegetation physiognomy is desert shrubland. Dominant woody plants are creosotebush, lechuguilla, feather dalea, yucca, catclaw acacia, and whitethorn acacia. Grasses include chino grama, black grama, fluffgrass, and threeawns.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Southern Edwards Plateau (MLRA 81D) and Trans Pecos (MLRA 42) of Texas. The series is extensive.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/bigbendT...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MARISCAL.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A Molli-Ustic Cambosol and landscape. These soils mainly distribute in semi-arid steppe and mountainous forest- steppes with fairly cool climate in central or western temperate zone, including semi-arid steppes on Inner Mongolian Plateau and Ordos Plateau, as well as in mountainous arid forest and forest-steppe areas covered with loess in Tianshan Mountain, western Qinling Mountain, Luliang Mountain, and northern Taihang Mountain. The formation of Molli-Ustic Cambosols is related in certain degree with the climate condition with tendency of dry and cooling. There is a mollic epipedon which is not in line with isohumic property in the profile. (Photos and notes courtesy of China Soils Museum, Guangdong Institute of World Soil Resources; with revision.)
In Chinese Soil Taxonomy, Cambosols have low-grade soil development with formation of horizon of alteration or weak expression of other diagnostic horizons. In Soil Taxonomy these soils are commonly Inceptisols, Mollisols, or Gelisols.
For additional information about this soil and the Soils Museum, visit:
www.giwsr.com/en/article/index/241
For additional information about Soil Taxonomy, visit:
Soil profile: A Hypercalcic, Mottled-Subnatric, Yellow Sodosol. Original notes and photos provided by the State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) with revision. Profile described by Mark Imhof and David Rees (April 2005).
Landscape: Interdune depression (stubble paddock not tilled since 1991). These soils formed in Quaternary (Woorinen Formation) aeolian deposits on a 1% north-east facing slope.
Sodosols have a strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and subsoil (B) horizons and the subsoil horizons are sodic. Using the Australian Soil Classification, Sodosols can be grouped further (Suborder) based on the colour of the upper 20 cm of the subsoil i.e. red, brown, yellow, grey and black. These can be further differentiated based on subsoil characteristics (Great Groups) such as the level of sodicity (in the upper B horizon) and the presence of carbonate or lime (Subgroup).
For more information about these soils, visit;
vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/malregn.nsf/pages/mall...
In soil taxonomy, these soils are commonly Alfisols or Aridisols. For more information about Soil Taxonomy, visit;
Photo courtesy of EAD-Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi. www.ead.gov.ae/
Petrogypsic soils have a surface or subsurface soil horizon cemented by gypsum so strongly that dry fragments will not slake in water. The cementation restricts penetration by plant roots. This is a diagnostic horizon in Soil Classification.
For more information about soil classification using the UAE Keys to Soil Taxonomy, visit:
agrifs.ir/sites/default/files/United%20Arab%20Emirates%20...
A profile of Biltmore soils. The Biltmore series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in recent alluvium on flood plains in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and mesic areas of the Southern Piedmont. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Mixed, mesic Typic Udipsamments
The sandy sediments range from 40 to 80 inches or more in thickness. In some pedons below a depth of 40 inches, there are strata of loamy material, or deposits of cobbles and gravel that are stratified with sandy or loamy material. Thin loamy layers are within the upper 40 inches in some pedons, but have a combined thickness of less than 6 inches. Coarse fragments range from 0 to 10 percent by volume in the upper 40 inches. Underlying beds of gravel and cobbles are in many pedons within a 40 to 80 inch depth. Flakes of mica range from few to many throughout. The soil ranges from strongly acid through slightly alkaline.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of the acreage of this soil is cleared of forest and used for pasture and crops. Important crops grown are corn for grain and silage, small grains, truck crops, burley tobacco, and pasture. Native forest species include white pine, yellow-poplar, northern red oak, black oak, white oak, black walnut, American Sycamore, red maple, river birch, American beech, white ash, black locust, hickory, basswood, and blackgum. Rhododendron and blueberry are common understory plants.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; mesic areas of the Southern Piedmont in North Carolina and Virginia. The series is of moderate extent.
Biltmore soils were formerly mapped in Comus and Suncook series. Establishing the Biltmore series limits the Suncook series to MLRA's 143, 144, and 145. The 2/89 revision reclassified the Biltmore series to mixed, mesic Typic Udipsamments. The typical pedon and a dominance of soils mapped Biltmore do not have at least 6 inches of loamy strata between the A horizon and a depth of 40 inches. The distribution and extent of the Biltmore series has been broadened due to the recognition of a mesic soil temperature regime in some areas of the Southern Piedmont.
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BILTMORE.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
The Osier series (foreground and wooded area) consists of very deep, poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils on flood plains or low stream terraces. They formed in sandy alluvium. Near the type location, the mean annual temperature is about 67 degrees F, and the mean annual precipitation is about 46 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 2 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: Siliceous, thermic Typic Psammaquents
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Osier soil is in forest. The vegetation consists primarily of sweetgum, blackgum, water oak, red maple, swamp holly, bay, slash pine, and longleaf pine. The understory vegetation is mostly briars, vine, canes, myrtle, and gallberry.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Coastal Plain of Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, northern Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The series is of moderate extent.
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/O/OSIER.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Soil profile: The Appling series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils in the Piedmont Region of the southeastern U.S.
Landscape: A fresh roadcut through an area of Appling soils showing the uniform horizon thickness and depth.
Appling soils are on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent.
Appling soils are very similar to Cecil soils, except Cecil soils have a subsoil with dominant hue of 5YR or redder. Where hue is 5YR in Cecil soils, evident patterns of mottling are absent in the Bt and BC horizon, whereas patterns of lithochromic mottling are common in Appling soils.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
The Bt horizon is at least 24 to 50 inches thick and extends to 40 inches or more. Depth to bedrock ranges from 6 to 10 feet or more. The soil is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout, unless limed. Limed soils typically are moderately acid or slightly acid in the upper part. Content of coarse fragments ranges from 0 to 35 percent by volume in the A and E horizons and 0 to 10 percent by volume in the Bt horizon. Fragments are dominantly gravel in size. Most pedons have few to common flakes of mica in the A and Bt horizons and few to many flakes of mica in the BC and C horizons.
Most of the acreage is in cultivation or pasture and the remainder is in forests of mixed hardwoods and pine. Common crops are corn, tobacco, soybeans, cotton, and small grains.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The series is of large extent.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/north_carolina...
For a detailed description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/A/APPLING.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
A representative soil profile and landscape of the Worcester soil series from England. (Photos and information provided by LandIS, Land Information System: Cranfield University 2022. The Soils Guide. Available: www.landis.org.uk. Cranfield University, UK. Last accessed 14/01/2022). (Photos revised.)
These and associated soils are non-alluvial clayey soils that crack deeply in dry seasons, but are slowly permeable when wet. They have a coarse blocky or prismatic structure and no prominently mottled non-calcareous subsurface horizons within 40 cm depth.
They have a clay-enriched subsurface horizon. They formed in reddish clayey material passing to clay or soft mudstone.
They are classified as Chromic Vertic Luvisols by the WRB soil classification system. (www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf)
For more information about this soil, visit:
www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/7/708#:~:text=As%20established%....
Rice production in South Korea is important for the food supply in the country, with rice being a common part of the Korean diet. In 2009, South Korea produced 3,899,036 metric tonnes (4,297,951 tons) of rice. Camp Casey sits in between the South Korean capital of Seoul and the Demilitarized Zone.
South Korean farmers see the area adjecent to the DMZ as valuable soil, frequently planting crops despite warnings to stay away, a typical example of how South Korea's population has encroached on once-rural training areas.
In 1996 and 1998, unexploded ordnance killed two Korean civilians who had entered the Story range to look for scrap metal. Unexploded munitions and live-fire exercises make the area dangerous. Unexploded ordnance in that area presents a very real and significant danger to anyone walking in the impact area. This danger is greatly amplified if someone is planting or harvesting crops.
The South Korean Army supervises farming. Farmers must have a pass to cross any of the three bridges, guarded by South Korean soldiers, leading to the range. Normally, range control officials and Army explosive ordnance disposal teams would clear munitions from the impact area annually. But the impact area at Story Range is swampy, and teams can only look for duds on the surface. Additionally, the entire area just south of the DMZ is rife with mines. Many are newer mines laid by the South Korean Army as part of the DMZ defense. But there are unmarked mine fields, and monsoon rains shift mines around. Korean contractors and 8th Army personnel have uncovered about 30 mines while putting in fence posts.
The Appling series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Near the type location, mean annual precipitation is 45 inches and mean annual temperature is 60 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
The Bt horizon is at least 24 to 50 inches thick and extends to 40 inches or more. Depth to bedrock ranges from 6 to 10 feet or more. The soil is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout, unless limed. Limed soils typically are moderately acid or slightly acid in the upper part. Content of coarse fragments ranges from 0 to 35 percent by volume in the A and E horizons and 0 to 10 percent by volume in the Bt horizon. Fragments are dominantly gravel in size. Most pedons have few to common flakes of mica in the A and Bt horizons and few to many flakes of mica in the BC and C horizons.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of the acreage is in cultivation or pasture and the remainder is in forests of mixed hardwoods and pine. Common crops are corn, tobacco, soybeans, cotton, and small grains.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The series is of large extent.
For more information on Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/class/
For a detailed description of the soil, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/A/APPLING.html
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