Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Harwell series (Haplic Luvisols) 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

Landscape: Harwell soils are found on gently sloping ridges and in the Vale of Kingsclere they occupy the gently sloping lower land of the vale. Most land is devoted to cereals but grass is also grown.

These are fertile, easy working greyish brown and olive coloured soils with a small iron content and large fine sand and silt fractions. They are developed in Corallian sandstones (Arngrove Stone) in east Oxfordshire and in Upper Greensand interbedded fine sandstones, siltstones and clays in south Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The sandstones are referred to as malmstone and in some places include chert.

The mineral glauconite is a common constituent and it occurs locally in sufficient quantities to give the soils a greenish colour. In most districts the soils are developed on a small, more or less dissected bench or escarpment near the foot of the chalk, and most delineations include a narrow moderately to steeply sloping scarp face and a broader gentle dipslope. In south and east Oxfordshire, however, the soils are found on gently sloping ridges and in the Vale of Kingsclere they occupy the gently sloping lower land of the vale.

Harwell soils are naturally well drained (Wetness Class I). Vertical water movement is impeded by slowly permeable fine loamy or clayey subsoils or by underlying sandstone or siltstone. These rocks have few coarse pores and the fissures between rock fragments are commonly filled with illuvial clay. Consequently, in winter, the rock layer becomes saturated and slowly permeable so water moves through the subsoil laterally. The pattern of wet and dry soils on escarpment slopes is complex, especially where slumping has occurred and springs are common. There is little surface run-off. Erosion occurs on capped soils, along wheelings and, where flow is concentrated on slopes, rills are common. Surface ponding is frequent on compacted level ground. Regular subsoiling helps to reduce compaction and promote vertical water movement but pipe drainge systems are sometimes preferred, especially on land where crops are often harvested late in the season or where fruit is grown.

The fertility of this land has long been recognized and its versatility is evident from the wide range of crops grown. Large reserves of available water and the slow but continuous release of potassium together with skilful management ensure that most crops yield well. Most land is devoted to cereals but grass is also grown. Harwell soils can sustain high stocking densities and the risk of poaching is negligible; yields are slightly smaller in south Oxfordshire than elsewhere. In the Harwell district of Oxfordshire and near Selborne in Hampshire, apples, pears, raspberries and blackberries are grown; there are also several hop gardens around Alton. Buriton and Hendred soils are much less flexible and cropping is restricted to grass and winter cereals. Some strongly sloping scarp and valley sides are in permanent or rough grassland.

For additional information about the soil association, visit:

www.landis.org.uk/services/soilsguide/series.cfm?serno=71...

For more information on the World Reference Base soil classification system, visit:

www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf

An overview of iron enriched soil horizons and layers. Consistent identification and quantification is a central issue for describing, classifying and correlating soils that are enriched by Fe ranging from Fe concentrations through plinthite to ironstone.

Plinthite is particularly of interest because it is one of only a few soil features that are defined by change of physical characteristics through exposure to the atmosphere. Plinthic materials irreversibly harden on exposure to repeated wetting and drying. The evolution of the definition of cemented materials (pararock and rock fragments) and the interpretive similarity of densic, fragic, and plinthic materials has added to the complexity of uniform field identification, correlation, and classification.

This overview identifies the common sequence of horizon development as iron content increases and its products progressively harden.

WORLD REFERENCE BASE

For more information about soil classification using the WRB system (World Reference Base for Soil Resources), visit:

[wrb.isric.org/files/WRB_fourth_edition_2022-12-18.pdf]

SOIL TAXONOMY

For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999, visit:

[www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/Soil%20Taxo...]

To download the latest version of USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999, visit:

[www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...]

For additional information about soil classification using Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 13th Edition, 2022, visit:

[www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Keys-to-Soi...]

To download the latest version of Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 13th Edition, 2022, visit:

[www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...]

Overview video of Soil Taxonomy:

[www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=wrb+soil+tax...]

Soils of the Buchanan series are very deep, somewhat poorly and moderately well drained, and slowly permeable. They formed in colluvium on mountain footslopes, sideslopes and in valleys that is derived from acid sandstone, quartzite, siltstone, and shale. Slope ranges from 0 to 45 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 105 cm (42 inches), and mean annual air temperature is about 12 degrees C (53 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, semiactive, mesic Aquic Fragiudults

Solum thickness ranges from 100 to 200 cm (40 to up to 80 inches). Depth to bedrock ranges from 1.5 to 6 meters (5 to 20 feet) or more. Depth to the fragipan ranges from 50 to 91 cm (20 to 36 inches). Rock fragments of both subrounded and flat subangular, hard sandstone and shale, channers, gravels, cobbles and stones, range from 0 to 40 percent in individual horizons above the fragipan and from 5 to 60 percent in the fragipan and C horizon. Typically rock fragments make up 10 to 15 percent of the soil by volume with higher amounts in the surface. The soil contains both high and low chroma redox concentrations and depletions above the top of the fragipan and within the upper 10 inches of the argillic horizon. The soil ranges from extremely acid through strongly acid throughout where unlimed. Illite, kaolinite, and vermiculite are the most common clay minerals.

USE AND VEGETATION: Woodland is the major use. Some areas are cleared and used for pasture, small grain, and row crops. Wooded areas are mixed hardwoods of oak, maple and ash.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. The series is of large extent.

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BUCHANAN.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#buchanan

Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Airship series. A large volume of fragments is visible in all horizons. The rounded edges on the fragments indicate transport in water of some distance. Airship soils, although in areas where many of the ridges are sharp and narrow in shape with very steep side slopes, formed in alluvium on a very eroded older terrace. These soils are very deep but have a limited available water capacity and support mostly brush.

Landscape: An area of Airship soils at the type location, on a steep south slope near Coyote Ridge Trail in the Fremont Older Open Space. Black Mountain and the Permanente Mine are in the background. (Supplement to the Soil Survey of Santa Clara Area, California, Western Part; by William Reed, and Christopher “Kit” Paris, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Airstrip series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils formed in colluvium and residuum derived from sandstone and siltstone. Airstrip soils are on mountains and have slopes of 9 to 50 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 2290 millimeters (90 inches) and the mean annual temperature is about 11 degrees C (52 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, mesic Pachic Humixerepts

Note: Photo taken when the soil was dry.

Soil moisture: The soil is dry in all parts in the moisture control section from about July 10 to September 20, and is moist in all parts from about October 1 to June 1. The soils have xeric moisture regime.

Soil temperature: The mean annual soil temperature is 10 to 15 degrees C (50 to 59 degrees F). The difference between mean summer and mean winter temperature is 6 to 10 degrees C. The soils have a mesic soil temperature regime.

Depth to a lithic contact: 50 to 100 centimeters.

The umbric epipedon is 50 to 75 centimeters thick.

Base saturation, by ammonium acetate, is less than 35 percent throughout.

Surface fragments: 15 to 35 percent gravel, 0 to 5 percent cobbles

Particle-Size Control Section (weighted average):

Rock fragments: 35 to 60 percent gravel and 0 to 25 percent cobbles.

Clay content: 12 to 26 percent clay.

USE AND VEGETATION: This soil has been used for livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, and watershed. Natural vegetation consists of California oatgrass, dogtail grass, foxtail fescue, tall oatgrass, plantain, sheep sorrel, hairy cat's ear, and annual legumes. Invasion by Douglas-fir and other forest species occurs primarily in disturbed areas and along forest borders.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: California Coastal Redwood Belt; MLRA 4B. The series is not extensive.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/california/san...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/A/AIRSTRIP.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#airstrip

MSU researcher James Tiedje is leading the charge to determine the future direction of soil science research.

A representative soil profile and landscape of the Newmarket 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 shallow, with a distinct, humose or peaty topsoil, but no subsurface horizons more than 5 cm thick (other than a bleached horizon). Normally over bedrock, very stony rock rubble or little altered soft unconsolidated deposits within 30 cm depth.

They soils are calcareous, over chalk, or extremely calcareous rock rubble or soft unconsolidated deposits. They formed in light loamy lithoskeletal chalk.

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:

www.landis.org.uk/soilsguide/series.cfm?serno=1308&so...

The Piledriver series (a hydric soil) are very deep, somewhat poorly drained soils formed in stratified silty and sandy alluvium overlying sand and gravel. They are along floodplains with slopes of 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: Coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, nonacid Aquic Cryofluvents

Depth to sand and gravel ranges from 20 to 40 inches (50 to 102 cm). Organic carbon content decreases irregularly with depth. The texture of the upper part of the control section is stratified silt loam, very fine sandy loam, fine sandy loam and very fine sand with a weighted average of more than 15 percent fine sand or coarser and less than 18 percent clay. This material contains significant amounts of mica but less than 25 percent. Texture of the lower part of the control section is sand or loamy sand with coarse fragments ranging from 0 to 70 percent.

USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are in native forest consisting of white spruce, cottonwood and quaking aspen with alder shrubs. A water table is present at a depth of 3 to 6 feet for some period in most summers, allowing capillary rise of water into the soil profile.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRA 229 Interior Alaska Lowlands. The series is of minor extent.

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/P/PILEDRIVER.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#piledriver

Soil profile: The Berks series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils formed in residuum weathered from shale, siltstone and fine grained sandstone on rounded and dissected uplands.

Landscape: The mountains in the upper third of the photograph are dominantly mapped as Berks-Weikert complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, a map unit which is underlain primarily by shale bedrock. (Soil Survey of Craig County, Virginia; by Robert K. Conner, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, active, mesic Typic Dystrudepts

Solum thickness ranges from 12 to 40 inches. Depth to bedrock is 20 to 40 inches. Depth to the top of the cambic horizon range from 3 to 12 inches. Rock fragments range from 10 to 50 percent in the Ap and A horizons, from 15 to 75 percent in individual horizons of the B, and from 35 to 90 percent in the C horizon. The average volume of rock fragments in the particle-size control section is more than 35 percent. In unlimed soils reaction ranges from extremely acid to slightly acid throughout. The dominant clay minerals are illite, vermiculite and interstratified vermiculite chlorite. Small amounts of kaolinite are present.

USE AND VEGETATION: Approximately 60 percent of Berks soils are in cropland and pasture, the remainder are in woodland or other uses. Principal crops are corn, wheat, oats, barley, Christmas trees and hay. Native vegetation is mixed, deciduous hardwood forest.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, and Southern Illinois. The series is of large extent. The Ashby, Kistler and Trexler soils, which were moderately shallow in some Pennsylvania published surveys are now included in the Berks Series.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/virginia/craig...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BERKS.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#berks

A representative soil profile of the Conway series (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

These loamy and clayey floodplain soils have naturally high groundwater. They are deep and stoneless, fine-silty soils And dominate the mapped areas. They are found on the floodplains of rivers and streams. The soils are usually greyish brown or grey with yellowish brown mottles and are affected by high groundwater levels. They occur in nearly all parts of England and Wales, as strips along major valley floors. Altitudes range from near sea level to about 260 m O.D. in central Wales.

The mapped areas cover some 34 km² in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset mostly along rivers draining slaty Devonian rocks. Although soils of this association are found in many valleys, most occurrences are too narrow to show on the map. The main areas are in the broadest sections of the valleys of the Fowey, Otter, Lynher, Tamar and Exe. There is a small strip along the river Tale which drains Permo-Triassic rocks in east Devon. They cover 85 km² in Northern England from near sea level to 120 m O.D.

Conway soils are seasonally waterlogged (Wetness Class IV). Winter floods are common and summer flooding also occurs in many areas after heavy rain. This with the high groundwater-table and the difficulty of working wet fine textured soils precludes arable cropping so most of the association is under permanent grass with a little rough grassland and scrub. High groundwater levels and soft wet topsoils lead to a serious risk of poaching especially early and late in the year although field drainage can reduce the risk to some extent. The wildlife habitats provided by the wetter land within the association are becoming increasingly rare with the extension of field drainage. In low backswamps, farthest from the river, field drainage is sometimes prohibitively expensive so these areas can be usefully managed for conservation of wildlife.

For additional information about the soil association, visit:

www.landis.org.uk/services/soilsguide/mapunit.cfm?mu=81102

For more information on the World Reference Base soil classification system, visit:

www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf

A representative soil profile of the Garywash series in an area of Garywash gravelly fine sandy loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes. (Interim Report for the Soil Survey of Chemehuevi Wash Off-Highway Vehicle Area, California; by Leon Lato, Carrie-Ann Houdeshell, and Heath McAllister, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Garywash series consists of very deep, well drained soils. Garywash soils are on fan remnants. Slopes range from 2 to 15 percent. These soils formed in alluvium from granite. Elevations are 300 to 450 meters (about 980 to 1475 feet). The climate is arid with hot, dry summers and warm, dry winters. The mean annual precipitation is about 100 millimeters (about 4 inches) and the mean annual air temperature is about 24 degrees C (about 75 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, hyperthermic Typic Haplocalcids

Soil moisture control section: usually dry throughout, rarely moist in some part during summer or winter. The soils have a typic-aridic soil moisture regime.

Soil temperature: 22 to 26.7 degrees C (about 72 to 80 degrees F).

Depth to calcic horizon: 10 to 25 centimeters

Organic matter: 0 to 0.5 percent

Control section -

Rock fragments: averages 15 to 35 percent, mainly gravel

Clay content: 6 to 15 percent

USE AND VEGETATION: Garywash soils are used for recreational and wildlife habitat. The present vegetation is mainly creosote bush.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Lower Colorado Desert of southeastern California, U.S.A.; MLRA 31. These soils are of small extent.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/california/CA6...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/G/GARYWASH.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#garywash

Depth to Bedrock: 25 to 51 cm (10 to 20 inches) to weathered bedrock (paralithic); 51 to 122 cm or more (20 to 48 inches or more) to unweathered bedrock (lithic).

Depth Class: Shallow

Landscape: Low and intermediate mountains and occasionally intermountain hills.

Landform: Mountain slope, hillslopes, and ridges.

Geomorphic Component: Mountain top, mountain flank, and side slope.

Hillslope Profile Position: Summit, shoulder, and backslope.

Parent Material Origin: Low-grade metasedimentary rocks such as tilted siltstone, slate, phyllite, or metasandstone; fragments are channers, flagstones, or stones ranging up to 24 inches across.

Parent Material Kind: Residuum that is affected by soil creep in the upper solum.

Slope: Typically 15 to 70 percent, but range from 5 to 95 percent.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, semiactive, mesic, shallow Typic Dystrudepts

USE AND VEGETATION:

Major Uses: Woodland, rarely pasture and hayland

Dominant Vegetation: Where wooded--scarlet oak, chestnut oak, red maple, Virginia and pitch pine. Understory species are dominantly mountain laurel, sourwood, and buffalo nut. Where cleared--used for wildlife plantings.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:

Distribution: Southern Blue Ridge Mountains (MLRA 130B) of Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.

Extent: Large--more than 100,000 acres.

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CATASKA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#cataska

Soil profile: Coxville soils are very deep, clayey, poorly drained soils with moderately slow permeability.

Landscape: Coxville soils are commonly in Carolina Bays. Carolina bays are elliptical depressions concentrated along the Atlantic seaboard within coastal Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and north-central Florida. (Soil Survey of Lee County, South Carolina; by Charles M. Ogg, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

Depth Class: Very deep

Drainage Class (Agricultural): Poorly drained

Internal Free Water Occurrence: Very shallow to shallow, common to persistent

Flooding Frequency and Duration: None

Ponding Frequency and Duration: None

Index Surface Runoff: Negligible

Permeability: Moderately slow

Landscape: Lower to upper coastal plain

Landform: Flats, Carolina bays, and depressions

Geomorphic Component: Talfs, dips

Parent Material: Marine deposits or fluviomarine sediments

Slope: 0 to 2 percent

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleaquults

Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 80 inches

Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: 0 to 12 inches, November to April

Rock Fragment content: 0 to 15 percent, by volume, throughout, but less than 5 percent in most pedons

Soil Reaction: Extremely acid to strongly acid, except where limed

USE AND VEGETATION: Where cultivated--corn, soybeans, and truck crops. Where wooded--loblolly and longleaf pine, sweetgum, blackgum, water oak, willow oak, water tupelo, elm, and hickory.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Coastal Plain of North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and possibly Virginia and Louisiana with large extent.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/south_carolina...

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/COXVILLE.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#coxville

A soil profile of the Hinckley series with a covering of Human Transported Materials (HTM).

Human transported material (HTM) is a type of soil parent material used for soils that have been formed or modified by human activity (Anthropogenic soils). The International Committee for Anthropogenic Soils (ICOMANTH) has developed a system to describe these types of soils which are very common on the New England region. Circular Letter 6 updated provides information on horizon designation and more information. Theses soils were previously mapped as Udorthents, Udipsamments, fill, borrow pits, aquents, and other undifferentiated soil and non soil types.

This profile shows a series of two fill layers that were placed over a Hinckley soil. The ^ symbol is the new horizon prefix for HTM (^C). The fill or HTM place over this soil is from a local source based on the gravelly nature of the 2nd fill layer. This profile is a good demonstration of the need to dig deep in these types of soil to look for the buried natural soil surface.

Photo and information courtesy of Larry LaCroix, New England Soil Profiles.

For more information, visit;

nesoil.com/images/hinckley_HTM.htm

__________________________

The Hinckley series consists of very deep, excessively drained soils formed in glaciofluvial materials. They are nearly level through very steep soils on outwash terraces, outwash plains, outwash deltas, kames, kame terraces, and eskers. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is high or very high. Slope ranges from 0 to 60 percent. Mean annual temperature is about 7 degrees C, and mean annual precipitation is about 1143 mm.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy-skeletal, mixed, mesic Typic Udorthents

Solum thickness ranges from 30 to 87 cm. Rock fragment content of the solum ranges from 5 through 50 percent gravel, 0 through 30 percent cobbles, and 0 through 3 percent stones. Rock fragment content of individual horizons of the substratum ranges from 10 through 55 percent gravel, 5 through 25 percent cobbles, and 0 through 5 percent stones. In some places gravel content throughout the soil ranges up through 75 percent. The soil ranges from extremely acid through moderately acid, except where limed.

For more information about the soil series, visit;

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HINCKLEY.html

For more information about the series extent and associated data, visit;

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#hinckley

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

An Arenic Plinthic Kandiudults and landscape in South Carolina.

Arenic Plinthic Kandiudults have a layer, starting at the mineral soil surface, that has a sandy or sandy-skeletal particle-size class and is between 50 and 100 cm thick. They also have 5 to 50 percent (by volume) plinthite in one or more horizons within 150 cm of the mineral soil surface. These soils are of large extent in the southeastern United States.

In this pedon, the soil has a very abrupt irregular boundary between the E and Bt horizons.

Landscape: These soil typically formed in sandy over loamy marine deposits or fluviomarine deposits in the upper and middle coastal plains. They are on summits, shoulders, and backslopes of Interfluves or side slopes on marine terraces, uplands, or flats. They are well suited to commonly grown crops, especially if irrigated.

USE AND VEGETATION:

Major Uses: Cropland, commonly 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

For additional information about soil classification, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/class...

For additional information about describing and sampling soils, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/home/?cid=...

Michigan State Soil

The Kalkaska series is one of the earliest soil series to be recognized in Michigan. It was first described in 1927, in Kalkaska County, which is the source of the series name. Kalkaska soils occur in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and in 29 of the state’s 83 ounties. There are over 750,000 acres of these soils in Michigan. Public Act 302, the State Soil Bill, enacted on December 4, 1990, established the Kalkaska series as the Official State Soil.

Kalkaska soils formed in sandy deposits left by the glaciers that once covered Michigan. These soils are used primarily for hardwood timber, namely sugar maple and yellow birch. Some areas are used for the production of Christmas trees or for specialty crops, such as potatoes and strawberries. The soils also are used for wildlife habitat and building site development

The Kalkaska series consists of very deep, somewhat excessively drained soils that formed in sandy drift on outwash plains, valley trains, moraines, and stream terraces. Slope ranges from 0 to 70 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 760 mm, and the mean annual temperature is about 6 degrees C.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, isotic, frigid Typic Haplorthods

Soil Moisture: Dry in some part of the soil moisture control section in July in normal years; dry throughout the soil moisture control section in August in normal years.

Thickness of the solum: 61 to 140 cm.

Rock fragments: 0 to 10 percent gravel and 0 to 3 percent cobbles throughout.

Surface fragments: 0 to 0.1 percent stones covering the surface.

USE AND VEGETATION: The majority of this soil is forested. Some areas are idle cropland or in pasture. A small portion of this soil is cultivated with small grains, hay, and potatoes being the principle crops. Native vegetation is intermixed hardwoods and conifers, predominantly sugar maple, American beech, red pine, quaking aspen, bigtooth aspen, and eastern white pine.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRAs 93B, 94A, 94B, 94C, and 96 in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and northern Wisconsin. The type location is in MLRA 94A. These soils are extensive, with about 982,000 acres of the series mapped.

This series was named the State Soil of Michigan in 1991.

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/K/KALKASKA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#kalkaska

Soil Peds are aggregates of soil particles formed as a result of pedogenic processes; this natural organization of particles forms discrete units separated by pores or voids. The term is generally used for macroscopic (visible; i.e. greater than 1 mm in size) structural units when observing soils in the field. Soil peds should be described when the soil is dry or slightly moist, as they can be difficult to distinguish when wet.

There are five major classes of macrostructure seen in soils: platy, prismatic, columnar, granular, and blocky. There are also structureless conditions. Some soils have simple structure, each unit being an entity without component smaller units. Others have compound structure, in which large units are composed of smaller units separated by persistent planes of weakness.

For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...

or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...

For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM

Soil profile: A representative profile of a Lucy soil, which formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. The surface and subsurface layers of the Lucy soils are sand and have a combined thickness ranging from 50 to 100 centimeters inches. Lucy soils are a fair source of sand for commercial purposes. (Soil Survey of Houston County, Alabama; by John L. Burns, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Lucy series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on uplands. They formed in sandy and loamy marine and fluvial sediments of the Southern Coastal Plain Major Land Resource Area (MLRA 133A). Near the type location, the average annual precipitation is about 53 inches and the average annual air temperature is about 65 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 45 percent.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Arenic Kandiudults

Solum thickness is more than 60 inches. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to moderately acid in the A and E horizons except where lime has been added, and from extremely acid to strongly acid in the subsoil. Thickness of the A horizon plus the E horizon ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

USE AND VEGETATION: Nearly level to gently sloping areas are used for growing peanuts, corn, cotton, and soybeans. Sloping areas are used for hay and pasture. Steeper areas are used for woodland.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Southern Coastal Plain of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The series is of large known extent.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/alabama/AL069/...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/L/LUCY.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#lucy

A representative soil profile of a Histosol from Russia. (Photo provided by Yakov Kuzyakov, revised.)

Histosols comprise soils formed in organic material accumulating as groundwater peat (fen), rainwater peat (raised bog) or mangroves or without water saturation in cool mountain areas. They vary from soils developed in predominantly moss peat in arctic, subarctic and boreal regions, via moss peat (Sphagnum species), reeds/sedge peat (fen) and forest peat in temperate regions to mangrove peat and swamp forest peat in the humid tropics. Histosols are found at all altitudes, but the vast majority occurs in lowlands. Common names are Peat soils, Muck soils, Bog soils and Organic soils. Many Histosols belong to Moore, Felshumusböden and Skeletthumusböden (Germany), Organosols (Australia), Organossolos (Brazil), Peat soils (Russia), Organic order (Canada) and Histosols and Histels (United States of America).

Fibric (from Latin fibra, fiber): having, after rubbing, two-thirds or more (by volume) of the organic material consisting of recognizable plant tissue within 100 cm of the soil surface (in Histosols only). (WRB)

For more information, visit;

wwwuser.gwdg.de/~kuzyakov/soils/WRB-2006_Keys.htm

For more information about Dr. Kuzyakov, visit;

www.uni-goettingen.de/de/212970.html

For more information about soil classification using the WRB system, visit:

www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf

A representative soil profile of an Andisol from Ecuador. (Photo courtesy of Stefaan Dondeyne, revised.)

Andosols develop in glass-rich volcanic ejecta under almost any climate (except under hyperarid climate conditions). However, Andosols may also develop in other silicate-rich materials under acid weathering in humid and perhumid climates. Many Andosols belong to Kuroboku (Japan), Andisols (United States of America), Andosols and Vitrisols (France), and Volcanic ash soils (Russia).

An umbric horizon (from Latin umbra, shade) is a relatively thick, dark-colored surface horizon with a low base saturation and a moderate to high content of organic matter. This pedon is marginal pachic. Pachic (from Greek pachys, thick): having a mollic or umbric horizon ≥ 50 cm thick. (WRB)

For more information about soil classification using the WRB system, visit:

www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf

Photo provided by a contributor to SoilScience.info

Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Tanana soil series; the State Soil of Alaska.

Landscape: Tanana soils are on alluvial terraces. They support a native plant community of aspen, paper birch, white spruce, and black spruce. When cleared and developed for agriculture, Tanana soils are used for hay and pasture, small grains, and vegetables.

The Tanana series consists of a mantle of mixed silty micaceous loess and alluvium overlying coarser textured alluvium. Under climax native vegetation, Tanana soils are poorly drained and contain permafrost within 50 inches of the surface. If the surface vegetation and organic mat is disturbed, either through wildfire or cultural activities such as farming, the soil will warm and become well drained. (Soil Survey of the Greater Fairbanks Area, Alaska; by Dennis Mulligan, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Tanana series was established in the Yukon Tanana Area of Alaska in 1914. It was named after the Tanana River, whose name in-turn was derived from the Athabaskan word for “mountain river”. Tanana soils are extensive throughout the lowland areas of Interior Alaska. Tanana soils are important agricultural soils in Alaska. The mean annual precipitation is about 12 inches, and the mean annual temperature is about 26 degrees F.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/alaska/AK610/0...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/T/TANANA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#tanana

The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has completed a 6.5 million (USD) contract with an Australian firm for a soil survey, which involves satellite images, soil analyses and land mapping.

The contract was signed between by Majid Al Mansouri, EAD Secretary-General and Dr Stewart Routledge, Middle East Director of GRM International of Australia. The project will be carried out in partnership with the Dubai-based International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), with which EAD signed an agreement of cooperation in April last year. The ICBA will provide technical support during the project, which is aimed at providing baseline information to better understand, manage, conserve and sustain the emirate's soil resources.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of Abu Dhabi. The survey, according to the agency, will assist decision-makers in future land use planning on scientific grounds. "It will also provide an on-the-ground, scientific inventory of soil resources, help in developing a soil database using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), prepare a soil survey report and soil and land use maps and build the capacity of UAE nationals," Al Mansouri said after signing the agreement.

Unplanned expansion and developmental activities have caused the deterioration of soil resources. Under the project, the soil, mainly in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, will be mapped and classified using the latest satellite images, and norms and standards of the United States Department of Agriculture.

"Planners, engineers and developers will be able to use the soil survey maps and data to evaluate soil for engineering purposes, select sites for residence, agriculture, industry, construction, routes for highways," said Majid Al Mansouri, EAD Secretary-General.

A representative soil profile of Buchel clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded. Evidence of slickensides can be seen beginning at a depth of 20 centimeters. (Soil Survey of Live Oak County, Texas; by Paul D. Holland, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Buchel series consists of very deep, very slowly permeable, moderately well drained soils that formed in calcareous clayey alluvium of recent age. These soils occur on nearly level flood plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 1 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 864 mm (34 in) and the mean annual air temperature is about 21.7 degrees C (71 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic Typic Haplusterts

Soil Moisture: A typic-ustic moisture regime. The soil moisture control section is dry in some or all parts for more than 90 days but less than 180 cumulative days in normal years.

Solum thickness: more than 200 cm (80 in)

Mean annual soil temperature: 22.0 to 23.3 degrees C (72 to 74 degrees F).

Depth to vertic features: 18 to 61 cm (7 to 24 in)

Particle-size control section (weighted average)

Clay content: 40 to 60 percent

USE AND VEGETATION: The major uses are for crop production of grain sorghum, wheat, corn or cotton. Native vegetation consists of bluestems, paspalums and panicums. Trees include pecan, elm, and hackberry. Ecological site name is Clayey Bottomland 20-35" PZ (R083AY380TX).

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern Rio Grande Plain; LRR I; MLRA 83A; moderate extent.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/TX297/0/...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BUCHEL.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#buchel

The Olton series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately slowly permeable soils that formed in clayey, calcareous eolian sediments in the Blackwater Draw Formation of Pleistocene age. These soils are on nearly level to gently sloping plains and upper side slopes of playas and draws. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Aridic Paleustolls

They are mapped in the Southern High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 77C in LRR H) of western Texas and eastern New Mexico. The series is extensive and was first identified in Lamb County, Texas in 1960.

The Olton series is a benchmark soil. A benchmark soil is one of large extent within one or more major land resource areas (MLRAs), one that holds a key position in the soil classification system, one for which there is a large amount of data, one that has special importance to one or more significant land uses, or one that is of significant ecological importance.

For more information about Olton soil and Official Soil Series, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=n...

A representative soil profile of the Alumrock series. The Alumrock series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils that formed in residuum from sandstone. Alumrock soils are on hills. Slopes range from 9 to 50 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 20 inches, and the mean annual temperature is about 60 degrees F.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Pachic Argixerolls

Note: The soil had been moistened to a depth of 40cm at the time the photo was taken. The natural dark colored mollic epipedon, when moist, extended to a depth of 66cm.

Depth to slightly weathered sandstone is 50 to 100 cm. The mean annual soil temperature is 60 to 62 degrees F. The particle size control section averages 18 to 24 percent clay, and 1 to 35 percent rock fragments, mostly gravel. The soil is not calcareous. Organic matter ranges from 1 to 3 percent to a depth of 25 cm. Rock fragments on the surface range from 0 to 10 percent gravel.

USE AND VEGETATION: This soil is used for recreation and urban uses. Vegetation is oaks and annual grasses in recreation areas and urban areas have lawn grasses and ornamental plants.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The soils are inextensive and are mapped in Santa Clara County Major Land Resource Area: 15 -- Central California Coast Range

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/california/san...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/A/ALUMROCK.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#alumrock

A Typic Haplogypsid, petrogypsic from the interior of the UAE.

Typic Haplogypsids are the Haplogypsids that do not have have a gypsic horizon with its upper boundary within 18 cm of the soil surface. These soils do not have a lithic contact within 50 cm of the soil surface. In the United States they occur in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

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.

This pedon has a petrogypsic horizon at a depth of 100 to 200 cm and is identified as a "phase" in classification. In the UAE soil classification system, phases of soil taxa have been developed for those mineral soils that have soil properties or characteristics that occur at a deeper depth than currently identified for an established taxonomic subgroup or soil properties that effect interpretations not currently recognized at the subgroup level. The phases which have been identified in the UAE include: anhydritic, aquic, calcic, gypsic, lithic, petrocalcic, petrogypsic, salic, salidic, shelly, and sodic.

The petrogypsic horizon is a horizon in which visible secondary gypsum has accumulated or has been transformed. The horizon is cemented (i.e., extremely weakly through indurated cementation classes), and the cementation is both laterally continuous and root limiting, even when the soil is moist. Th e horizon typically occurs as a subsurface horizon, but it may occur at the surface in some soils.

Haplogypsids are the Gypsids that have no petrogypsic, natric, argillic, or calcic horizon that has an upper boundary within 100 cm of the soil surface. Some Haplogypsids have a cambic horizon overlying the gypsic horizon. These soils are commonly very pale in color. They are not extensive in the United States. The largest concentrations in the United States are in New Mexico and Texas. The soils are more common in other parts of the world.

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:

agrifs.ir/sites/default/files/United%20Arab%20Emirates%20...

This pedon is a variant of the Bonneau series in North Carolina. A soil variant is a soil sufficiently different in properties from any other known soil series, but due to low acreage (geographic extent) does not warrant the establishment of a new soil series. This pedon is similar to the Bonneau soil series; however, the arenic surface layers contain too many coarse fragments.

Note: The term "variant" is no longer used in soil survey. Soils with insufficient acreage (very low geographic extent) are identified and described as inclusions in mapping.

Arenic Paleudults.—These soils have a layer, starting at the mineral soil surface, that is between 50 and 100 cm thick and has a sandy or sandy-skeletal particle-size class, that is, the texture is sand or loamy sand. The soils are otherwise like Typic Paleudults in defined properties, but the argillic horizon tends to have more sand and less clay than the one in the Typic subgroup. In the United States.

Arenic Paleudults occur on the coastal plain from Maryland to Texas. The natural vegetation consisted of forest plants. The soils are of moderate extent. Slopes generally are nearly level to strongly sloping. Most of the soils are used as cropland or forest, but some are used as pasture.

BONNEAU SOIL SERIES

Drainage Class (Agricultural): Well drained

Internal Free Water Occurrence: Deep, common

Flooding Frequency and Duration: None

Ponding Frequency and Duration: None

Index Surface Runoff: Negligible to medium

Permeability: Moderate

Shrink-swell potential: Low

Landscape: Lower, middle, and upper coastal plain

Landform: Marine terraces, uplands

Hillslope Profile Position: Summits, shoulders, backslopes

Geomorphic Component: Interfluves, side slopes

Parent Material: Marine deposits, fluviomarine deposits

Slope: 0 to 12 percent

Elevation (type location): Unknown

Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 64 degrees F.

Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 45 inches

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Arenic Paleudults

Thickness of the sandy surface and subsurface layers: 20 to 40 inches

Depth to the top of the Argillic: 20 to 40 inches

Depth to the base of the Argillic horizon: 60 to 80 inches or more

Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 80 inches

Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: 40 to 60 inches, December to March

Rock Fragment Content: 0 to 15 percent, by volume, throughout

Soil Reaction: Extremely acid to slightly acid in the A and E horizons, except where limed and extremely acid to moderately acid in the B horizon

USE AND VEGETATION:

Major Uses: Crops

Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--growing corn, soybeans, small grain, pasture grasses, and tobacco. Where wooded--mixed hardwood and pine, including longleaf and loblolly pine, white, red, turkey, and post oak, dogwood, and hickory.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:

Distribution: Coastal Plain of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

Extent: Large

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BONNEAU.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#bonneau

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)

The Tusquitee series arev 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:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#tusquitee

Rhodic soils are dark red, high in iron, and are common in parts of the Piedmont of North Carolina. (Original image courtesy of D. Lindbo, NCSU)

Original photo may be viewed at: www.flickr.com/photos/soilscience/5086320839/in/photolist...

______________________________

Coarse blocky soil structure with ped face coated with translocated clay. In this example; "many continuous prominent clay films on vertical faces of peds"

In blocky structure, the structural units are blocklike or polyhedral. Coarse or very coarse peds will almost always break down to smaller units. They are bounded by flat or slightly rounded surfaces that are casts of the faces of surrounding peds. Typically, blocky structural units are nearly equidimensional but may grade to prisms or plates. The structure is described as angular blocky if the faces intersect at relatively sharp angles; as subangular blocky if the faces are a mixture of rounded and plane faces and the corners are mostly rounded. Blocky structures are common in subsoil but also occur in surface soils that have a high clay content. The strongest blocky structure is formed as a result of swelling and shrinking of the clay minerals which produce cracks. Sometimes the surface of dried-up sloughs and ponds shows characteristic cracking and peeling due to clays.

Peds are aggregates of soil particles formed as a result of pedogenic processes; this natural organization of particles forms discrete units separated by pores or voids. The term is generally used for macroscopic (visible; i.e. greater than 1 mm in size) structural units when observing soils in the field. Soil peds should be described when the soil is dry or slightly moist, as they can be difficult to distinguish when wet.

Clay films (argillans). The "shiny" or "waxy" appearance on the faces of the ped are clay coatings (clay films). Clay films area thin coating of oriented clay on the surface of a soil aggregate or lining pores or root channels. Synonyms: clay coating, clay skin, argillan, or ferriargillan (if stained by iron), or organoargillan (if stained by organic matter).

For more information about the major principles and practices needed for making and using soil surveys and for assembling and using related soils data (Soil Survey Manual), visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...

For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...

or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...

For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM

A soil profile of the shallow Rockly soils. (Soil Survey of Spokane County, Washington; by Scott H. Bare, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

Landscape--Mountains, hills, plateaus, canyonlands

Landform--mountain slopes, hillslopes, ridges, structural benches, canyons

Slope--0 to 120 percent

Parent material--residuum and colluvium derived from basalt with an influence of loess and volcanic ash

Mean annual precipitation--about 460 mm

Mean annual air temperature--about 9 degrees C

Depth class--shallow, very shallow

Drainage class--well drained

Soil moisture regime--xeric

Soil temperature regime--mesic

Soil moisture subclass--typic

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, mesic Lithic Haploxerolls

Soil moisture--usually moist, but dry 60 to 80 consecutive days in all parts between depths of 10 and 30 cm or to a lithic contact

Mean annual soil temperature at lithic contact--8 to 12 degrees C

Depth to bedrock--10 to 30 cm

Thickness of mollic epipedon--10 to 30 cm

Reaction--6.1 to 7.3

Hue--10YR to 5YR

Particle-size control section--loam, silt loam, clay loam, or silty clay loam; about 10 to 30 percent clay; 35 to 75 percent rock fragments consisting of gravel, cobbles, or stones

Percentage of surface covered with stones or cobbles--0 to 15 percent

Faint clay films--lining pores in thin layer above bedrock in some pedons

USE AND VEGETATION:

Use--livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, water supply

Native vegetation--mainly stiff sagebrush, lomatium, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Sandberg bluegrass.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: North-central Oregon, eastern and central Washington, and west-central Idaho; MLRAs 8, 9, 10, and 43C; large 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/R/ROCKLY.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#rockly

A representative soil profile of the Tihonet series. (Photo provided by New England Soil Profiles)

The Tihonet series consists of very deep, poorly drained soils that formed in thick sandy glaciofluvial deposits. They are on excavated landscapes where the original solum and substratum has been excavated to the depth of the water table. Slope ranges from 0 through 3 percent. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is high or very high. Mean annual temperature is about 48 degrees F. (9 degrees C.) and mean annual precipitation is about 43 inches (1092 millimeters).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Mixed, mesic Typic Psammaquents

Depth to bedrock is greater than 165 centimeters. Rock fragments range from 0 through 35 percent throughout and typically consist of gravel size granite, gneiss, and schist. Reaction ranges from extremely acid through moderately acid. Human transported materials range from 0 to 40 centimeters.

USE AND VEGETATION: Tihonet soils are used for cranberry production in southeastern Massachusetts. Other areas are idle abandoned gravel pits and replicated wetlands. Most areas are vegetated with Hardhack, Threeleaf Goldenrod, Pussywillow, Cranberry, Sheeplaurel, Bayberry, Red Maple, Sphagnum moss, Sweet Pepper Bush, and sedges.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southeastern Massachusetts. MLRA's 144A and 149B. The series is of small extent.

For additional information about New England soils, visit:

nesoil.com/images/tihonet.htm

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/T/TIHONET.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#tihonet

www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/7/708#:~:text=As%20established%....

Sesame varieties have adapted to many soil types. The high-yielding crops thrive best on well-drained, fertile soils of medium texture and neutral pH. However, these have low tolerance for soils with high salt and water-logged conditions.

Less than one-fourth of the republic’s area is cultivated. Along with the decrease in farm population, the proportion of national income derived from agriculture has decreased to a fraction of what it was in the early 1950s. Improvements in farm productivity were long hampered because fields typically are divided into tiny plots that are cultivated largely by manual labour and animal power. In addition, the decrease and aging of the rural population has caused a serious farm-labour shortage. However, more recently productivity has been improving as greater emphasis has been given to mechanization, specialization, and commercialization.

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.

Plants, like all other living things, need nitrogen — but how much they're able to stand may depend on where they grow. USGS scientists teamed up with researchers from multiple universities and agencies to test plants' vulnerability to atmospheric nitrogen pollution from agriculture and other human activities. The team analyzed data from more than 15,000 sites across the continental U.S.

Nearly a quarter of these sites were vulnerable to losing plant species to harmful levels of nitrogen from the atmosphere. Open areas like grasslands, shrublands and woodlands, especially those with acidic soils, were more likely to lose species at lower levels of nitrogen taken up by the land. These results may help direct efforts aimed at protecting our nation's biodiversity, as plants form the base of the food chain and can affect the health of an entire ecosystem. The full article is available on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences website.

Photo by Bill Bowman, University of Colorado (permission granted to USGS; contact Bill Bowman for use)

Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Faceville soil series.

Landscape: Young pecan trees in an area of Faceville sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. Pecans are the most abundant orchard crop in Webster County. (Soil Survey of Webster County, Georgia; by Scott Moore, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Faceville series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on uplands of the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A). (Soil Survey of Decatur County, Georgia; by Scott Moore, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

They formed in red clayey marine sediments. Near the type location, the mean annual temperature is about 65 degrees F., and the mean annual precipitation is about 48 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudults

Thickness of the solum is 65 inches or more. Reaction is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout except where the surface has been limed. In some pedons, the reaction is moderately acid in the BA horizon and upper Bt horizon. The clay content of the control section ranges from 36 to 55 percent with less than 30 percent silt. Plinthite content ranges from 0 to 4 percent, by volume, below a depth of 40 inches. Ironstone nodules 3 to 20 mm in size in the A, E and BA horizons range from none to up to 11 percent, by volume.

USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Faceville soils have been cleared and are used for growing cotton, corn, peanuts, soybeans, wheat, hay, vegetables, small grains, and tobacco. In recent years, some areas have been converted to pasture or reforested. Dominant trees include loblolly, shortleaf, and slash pine and a mixture of upland oaks, hickory, and dogwood.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The series is of large known extent.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.flickr.com/photos/jakelley/51080605003/in/dateposted-...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/georgia/webste...

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#faceville

Saprolite (the light-colored area) is weathered bedrock which still retains the original lithic fabric and characteristics. The nature of the saprolite is influenced by the type of rock from which it develops, and it determines the chemical and physical properties of the associated soils. A common characteristic of the highly weathered finer textured granitic saprolite is a light, fluffy feel (low bulk density).

In soil science, the "C" horizon is the soil layer consisting of more or less weathered parent rock or deposited material that is little affected by pedogenesis (soil formation). However, if an overlying horizon contains a significant amount of clay, over time, the clay may be transported into and along vertical (or horizontal) cracks or along channels within macropores creating thick clay coats or clay flows.

The question for this layer is the appropriate horizonation?

Clay films are a coating of oriented clay on the surface of sand grains (clay bridging), soil aggregates, or peds. Clay films also line pores or root channels. This form of orientated clay is considered a pedogenetic process resulting in diagnostic soil features and is most commonly associated with a structured "B" horizon.

The zones of clay accumulation (brown area) in this substratum appears to be inflows at their thickest and in situ weathered where thinly layered, both areas absent of any ped formation or structure.

The "t" designation is most commonly associated with an argillic horizon. It indicates an accumulation of silicate clay that either has formed within a "horizon" and subsequently has been translocated within the horizon or that has been moved into the horizon by illuviation, or both. At least some part of the horizon shows evidence of clay accumulation, either as coatings on surfaces of peds or in pores, as lamellae, or as bridges between mineral grains.

However, is the "t" designation appropriate with any layer where clay coats (films) are present? It has been recognized with non-pedogenic materials such as paralithic materials where the faces of pararock fragments are coated with clayey material (Crt). Therefore, is a "Ct" designation appropriate where clay coats are present on plains of separation or vertical cracks. (See footnote--Keys to Soil Taxonomy, p. 340; "Indicates weathered bedrock or saprolite in which clay films are present.")

A C/B horizon has discrete, intermingled bodies of two horizons: C material dominates, with lesser but discrete bodies of B material; however, is this horizonation appropriate if the "B" part is entirely structureless translocated clay?

This condition leads to a possible separation of the historical pedogenic clay films from in-filling of clayey material, i.e., "clay flows".

For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...

or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...

For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM

For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...

or;

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...

A Dystric Endoskeletic Endostagnic Cambisols (Ochric, Siltic) by the World Reference Base (WRB). They formed in materials weathered from Cretaceous mudstone. Photo provided by Cezary Kabala, Institute of Soil Science, University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.

A Cambisol in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) is a soil in the beginning of soil formation. The horizon differentiation is weak. This is evident from weak, mostly brownish discolouration and/or structure formation in the soil profile. Cambisols are developed in medium and fine-textured materials derived from a wide range of rocks, mostly in alluvial, colluvial and aeolian deposits.

Most of these soils make good agricultural land and are intensively used. Cambisols in temperate climates are among the most productive soils on earth. Cambisols cover an estimated 15 million square kilometres worldwide. They are well represented in temperate and boreal regions that were under the influence of glaciation during the Pleistocene, partly because the soil's parent material is still young, but also because soil formation is comparatively slow in the cool, northern regions. Cambisols are less common in the tropics and subtropics, but they are common in areas with active erosion where they may occur in association with mature tropical soils.

Most of these soils make good agricultural land and are intensively used. Cambisols in temperate climates are among the most productive soils on earth.

For more information about this soil, visit:

karnet.up.wroc.pl/~kabala/Brunatne.html

For more information on the World Reference Base soil classification system, visit:

www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf

This pedon is a Aquic Humic Dystrudept in the USDA Soil Taxonomy system.

For additional information about the US Soil Taxonomy soil classification system, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...

An area of extremely bouldery soil (class 3).

Fragments on the Surface

This section discusses the description of rock fragments (especially stones and boulders) that are on the soil as opposed to in the soil. The  description  of  gravel,  cobbles,  and  channers  (≥ 2mm  but  < 250 mm  in  diameter)  differs  from  that  for  stones  and  boulders  (≥ 250 mm  in  diameter) because an important aspect of gravel, cobbles, and channers is their areal percent cover on the ground surface. This cover provides some protection from wind and water erosion. It may also interfere with seed placement and emergence after germination. For stones and boulders, the percent of cover is not of itself as important as the interference with mechanical manipulation of the soil. For example, a very small areal percentage  of  large  fragments,  insignificant  for  erosion  protection,  may  interfere with tillage, tree harvesting, and other operations involving machinery.

Class 3.—Stones  or  boulders  cover  3  to  less  than  15  percent  of  the surface. The smallest stones are as little as 0.5 meter apart; the

smallest  boulders  are  as  little  as  1  meter  apart.

Soil Survey Manual, Ag. Handbook 18, 2017, (p. 144).

A representative soil profile of Darnell fine sandy loam. A layer of sandstone is at a depth of about 45 centimeters. (Soil Survey of Jack County, Texas; by Wilfred E. Crenwelge, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Darnell series consists of shallow, well drained to somewhat excessively drained soils formed in material weathered from sandstone of Permian age. These soils are on summits and shoulders of low hills in the Cross Timbers (MLRA 84A). Slopes range from 1 to 45 percent. Mean, annual air temperature is about 16 degrees C (6l degrees F), and mean annual precipitation is about 813 mm (32 in).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, active, thermic, shallow Udic Haplustepts

Solum thickness: 25 to 51 cm (10 to 20 in)

Depth to paralithic contact: 25 to 51 cm (10 to 20 in)

USE AND VEGETATION: Mainly used for rangeland. Native vegetation is mainly post oak, blackjack oak, and eastern red cedar with an understory of tall and mid grasses.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas; LRR J; MLRA 84A; extensive

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/TX237/0/...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/D/DARNELL.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#darnell

In a traverse from the foreground to the upper regions of Mauna Kea are Waiakea soils, Kiloa soils, Keamoku soils, and a complex of Lava flows and Cinder land.

Waiakea soils

The Waiakea series consists of deep, well drained soils that formed in basic volcanic ash in `a`a lava. Slopes range from 2 to 35 percent slopes. The mean annual rainfall is about 3900 millimeters (157 inches) and the mean annual air temperature is about 17 degrees C (63 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hydrous-skeletal, ferrihydritic, isothermic Typic Hydrudands

Waiakea soils are on the east slopes on the undissected upland of Mauna Loa volcano and on younger lava flows of northeast windward slopes of Mauna Kea volcano at elevations from 336 to 1646 meters (1100 to 5400 feet). The soils are on all hill slope positions of constructional landscapes consisting of undulating to hilly `a`a flows that are 1,500 to 10,000 years old. Slope gradients range from 2 to 35 percent. The soils formed in basic volcanic ash in `a`a lava. The mean annual rainfall typically ranges from 3800 to 5100 millimeters (150 to 200 inches), with most of the rainfall occurring from October through April. Some areas of Waiakea soils that occur on Mauna Kea have mean annual rainfall ranging from 1270 to 2286 millimeters (50 to 90 inches). The mean annual pan evaporation ranges from 762 to 1016 millimeters (30 to 40 inches). Precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration all months of normal years, except in the drier areas of Mauna Kea described above where the soil is typically moist throughout the profile but may experience periodic drying of the control section less than 90 cumulative days, usually during the months of April to October. The mean annual air temperature ranges from 16 to 22 degrees C (61 to 72 degrees F). The mean summer soil temperature and the mean winter soil temperature differ by less than 6 degrees C (11 degrees F).

USE AND VEGETATION: Used for wildlife habitat and pasture. Vegetation is ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), hapuu or treefern (Cibotium chammisoi), uluhe fern or false staghorn fern (Gleichenia linearis), or strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum).

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Kau and Hamakua Districts, Island of Hawaii; MLRA 159A. The series is of small extent.

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WAIAKEA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#waiakea

Kiloa soils

The Kiloa series consists of deep and very deep, well drained soils that formed in organic material overlying `a`a lava. Kiloa soils are on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes. Slopes range from 2 to 20 percent. Mean annual rainfall is 4000 millimeters (160 inches), and mean annual temperature is about 18 degrees C (65 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Euic, isothermic Typic Udifolists

Kiloa soils are on Mauna Loa lava and Kilauea flows 250 to 1,000 years old at elevations of 366 to 1,372 meters (1,200 to 4,500 feet). Slopes range from 2 to 20 percent. The soils formed in a thin mantle of organic material and volcanic ash overlying `a`a lava. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 2,286 to 4000 millimeters (90 to more than 160 inches) with most of the rainfall occurring from October to May. Mean annual pan evaporation ranges from 762 to 1,016 millimeters (30 to 40 inches). Annual temperatures average from 17 to 22 degrees C (63 to 71 degrees F).

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used principally for pasture and woodland. Natural vegetation is ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), treefern (Cibotium spp.), sedge (Carex spp.) and kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum).

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Island of Hawaii. MLRA 162. This series is moderately extensive with approximately 13,500 acres.

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/K/KILOA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#kiloa

Keamoku soils

The Keamoku series consists of deep, well drained soils that formed in basic volcanic ashfields deposited on basic `a`a lava. Slopes range from 2 to 10 percent. The mean annual rainfall is about 1,400 millimeters (55 inches), and the mean annual air temperature is about 13 degrees C (55 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Medial-skeletal, amorphic, isomesic Typic Hapludands

Keamoku soils are on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcano `a`a flows mainly 3,000 to 10,000 years old. On Mauna Kea, ages of lava flows may be as old as 30,000 years old. They occur at elevations of 1,220 to 1,645 meters (4,000 to 5,400 feet). Slopes range from 2 to 10 percent. The mean annual rainfall is 1,270 to 2,032 millimeters (50 to 80 inches), about 75 percent of which of falls between October and April. The mean annual pan evaporation: 1,270 to 1,525 millimeters (50 to 60 inches). The mean annual air temperature is 10 to 15 degrees C (50 to 59 degrees F).

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for recreation for grazing. Vegetation is koa (Acacia koa), ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), prickly Florida blackberry (Rubus argutus), pukiawe (Styphelia tameiameiae), brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum) and grasses.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: These soils occur within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and surrounding ranches as well as windward slopes of Mauna Kea along Mana road; MLRA 160. The series is of small extent.

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/K/KEAMOKU.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#keamoku

Lava flows and Cinder land

Lava Flows are very young 1,000-5,000 years. They come from vents not a central volcano. There are many landforms associated with the lava flows: lava tubes, cinder cones, sink holes and craters.

Cinder land is a common sloping volcanic landform associated with cinder cones. As the name "cinder cone" suggests, they are cone-shaped hills made up of ejected igneous rocks known as "cinders". These small volcanoes usually have a circular footprint, and their flanks usually slope at an angle of about 30 to 40 degrees.

In the background is Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi. Its peak is 4,207.3 m (13,803 ft) above sea level, making it the highest point in the state of Hawaiʻi and second-highest peak of an island on Earth. The peak is about 38 m (125 ft) higher than Mauna Loa, its more massive neighbor. Mauna Kea is unusually topographically prominent for its height: its wet prominence is fifteenth in the world among mountains, at 4,207.3 m (13,803 ft); its dry prominence of 9,330 m (30,610 ft) is second in the world, only after Mount Everest.[8] This dry prominence is taller than Mount Everest's height above sea level of 8,848.86 m (29,032 ft), and some authorities have labelled Mauna Kea the tallest mountain in the world, from its underwater base: 10,211 m (33,500 ft).

For additional information about soil classification using Soil Taxonomy, visit:

sites.google.com/site/dinpuithai/Home

For more information about describing soils using the USDA-Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052523...

Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Hosmer series in Kentucky. Hosmer soils have a perched, seasonal water table at a depth of 46 to 76 centimeters (1.5 to 2.5 feet) from December through April in most years. The saturation helps form Fe-Mg concretions in he zone above the seasonal saturation. These concretions are evident at the lower part of the Ap horizon.

Landscape: The Hosmer series (foreground) consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils formed in loess on hills and are very productive with good natural fertility. Slopes are commonly 2 to 12 percent, but range from 0 to 30 percent.

They are moderately deep to a fragipan. Slopes are commonly 2 to 12 percent, but range from 0 to 30 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 1068 mm (42 inches) and mean annual temperature is about 14 degrees C (57 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, active, mesic Oxyaquic Fragiudalfs

Depth to the base of the argillic horizon: 127 to more than 203 cm (50 to more than 80 inches)

Depth to the fragipan: 51 to 91 cm (20 to 36 inches)

The particle-size control section averages: 22 to 30 percent clay and 2 to 10 percent sand

USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are used for growing corn, soybeans, winter wheat, or used for hay. Some areas are used for pasture and woodland. Native vegetation is mixed, deciduous hardwood forest.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Indiana, southern Illinois and western Kentucky. The acreage is of large extent and is in MLRAs 113, 114B, 115A, 120A and 120B. The type location is in MLRA 115A.

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/H/HOSMER.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#hosmer

The Maury series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in silty material over residuum weathered from phosphatic limestone. These soils are on nearly level to moderately steep uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 20 percent. (Kentucky Soil Atlas; by Anastasios D. Karathanasis, University of Kentucky)

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, active, mesic Typic Paleudalfs

Thickness of the solum ranges from 60 to 120 inches or more. Thickness of the argillic horizon ranges from 50 to 100 inches. Depth to bedrock ranges from 60 to 200 inches or more. Chert fragments, less than 3 inches in diameter, range from 0 to 5 percent in the Bt, BC and C horizons. The reaction of the Ap or A horizons range from neutral to strongly acid; the upper part of the Bt horizon ranges from slightly acid to strongly acid; the lower part of the Bt, BC and C horizons range from moderately acid to very strongly acid. The phosphate content in the solum is variable but is typically medium or high.

USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are used for crops such as burley tobacco, corn, small grains, and alfalfa; and for pasture. Bluegrass and white clover are the most common pasture plants. Native vegetation was dominated by oaks, elm, ash, black walnut, black and honey locust, hackberry, black cherry, and Kentucky coffee tree. Glades of native grasses and canes were reported by early settlers.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Inner Bluegrass Physiographic Region of Kentucky. The Maury series is currently used in the Central Basin of Tennessee as a thermic taxajunct. The extent is large.

For additional information about Kentucky soils, visit:

uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_book/4/

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MAURY.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#maury

The Blount series consists of very deep, somewhat poorly drained soils that are moderately deep or deep to dense till. Blount soils formed in till and are on wave-worked till plains, till plains, and near-shore zones (relict). Slope ranges from 0 to 6 percent. (Delaware County, Indiana; by Gary R. Struben, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, illitic, mesic Aeric Epiaqualfs

Depth to the base of the argillic horizon: 51 to 114 cm (20 to 45 inches)

Depth to carbonates: 48 to 102 cm (19 to 40 inches)

Depth to densic contact: 76 to 152 cm (30 to 60 inches)

Particle-size control section: averages 35 to 45 percent clay

Rock fragments: predominantly igneous, limestone, and dolomite gravel

USE AND VEGETATION: Almost all areas of Blount soils are cultivated. Corn, soybeans, small grain, and meadow are the principal crops. Native vegetation is hardwood forest.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Dominant acreage is in MLRA 111B, with lesser acreages in MLRAs 95B, 97, 98, 99, 108A, and 110. Blount soils are in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The series is of large extent.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/indiana/IN035/...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/B/BLOUNT.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#blount

A representative soil profile of the Otanya series in an area of Otanya very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. (Soil Survey of Tyler County, Texas; by Levi Steptoe, Jr., Natural Resources Conservation Services)

The Otanya series consists of very deep, well drained soils. These nearly level to gently sloping soils formed in loamy fluviomarine deposits of the Lissie Formation of early to mid Pleistocene age. Slope ranges from 1 to 5 percent. Mean annual temperature is about 19.4 degrees C (67 degrees F), and mean annual precipitation is about 1295 mm (51 in).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Paleudults

Soil Moisture: An udic soil moisture regime. The soil moisture control section is 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in) below the soil surface and remains dry less than 90 cumulative days in most years.

Mean annual soil temperature: 20.6 to 21.7 degrees C (68 to 70 degrees F)

Depth to argillic horizon: 18 to 58 cm (7 to 23 in)

Particle-size control section (weighted average)

Clay content: 18 to 25 percent

CEC/clay ratio: 0.30 to 0.40

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used mainly for timber and pasture. Forest vegetation includes loblolly, shortleaf, slash and longleaf pines, sweetgum, red oak, and hickory trees. Pastures are mainly improved bermudagrass and bahiagrass. A few areas are cultivated and used for growing vegetables and blueberries.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southeast Texas and possibly southwestern Louisiana; LRR T; Western Gulf Coast Flatwoods (MLRA 152B); large extent. These soils have been included in the Segno and Malbis series. The Otanya series was proposed in Jasper County, Texas 1977 and was dropped in 1980. It was redefined slightly and proposed for active status in 1982. The type location was moved from Polk County to Tyler County, which is centrally located in the series province. The classification was changed from Plinthic Paleudults to Typic Paleudults during the correlation of the update of MLRA 152B in June 2004 after pit studies showed that less than 5 percent plinthite is common in most pedons. The water table depths and time period were established as a result of a water table study conducted in Jasper County, Texas and Beauregard Parish, Louisiana from 1998 to 2002.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/TX457/0/...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/O/OTANYA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#otanya

Soil mottling-lithochromic mottling above a paralithic contact (about 1 meter depth) in a Woolwine soil.

For a detailed description of the soil, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/W/WOOLWINE.html

Mottling (mottles, mottled) refers to secondary soil colors not associated with compositional properties. Lithochromic mottles are a type of mottling associated with variations of color due to weathering of parent materials.

Terms such as mixed, intermingled, mottled, or multicolored to describe color are discouraged.

Example: If the color pattern is not related to aquic conditions and has numerous, diverse colors without a dominant color—

BC--70 to 97 centimeters (about 25 to 31 inches); red (2.5YR 4/8) very gravelly sandy clay loam; weak very coarse subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium and coarse roots; 40 percent, by volume weak red (10R 4/3), dusky red (10R 3/3), and yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; 10 percent paragravel; 15 percent fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid; soil peds part along relic rock fractures; gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 25 centimeters, about 10 inches thick)

Example: If the color pattern is not related to aquic conditions and is too intricate (bands, patches, etc.) with numerous, diverse colors to credibly identify a dominant color—

BC=30 to 50 inches; variegated dark gray (5Y 4/1), yellowish brown (10YR 5/4), and brown (7.5YR4/4) clay loam; ...

-or-

C=50 to 60 inches; variegated loam saprolite in shades of red, brown, yellow, and white;…

For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...

or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...

For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM

For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...

or;

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...

For more information about Hydric Soils and their Field Indicators, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...

View of Klickitat Valley, west of Goldendale, Washington. Cropland in foreground is on Goldendale soil. Mount Adams is in background.

KLICKITAT COUNTY AREA is in the south-central part of Washington. The Columbia River lies along the southern margin of the area. The northern boundary begins on the southeastern flanks of Mount Adams, extends over the Simcoe Mountains, and follows the crest of Horse Heaven Hills. Elevation ranges from about 70 feet along the Columbia River to about 5,900 feet at the top of the Simcoe Mountains.

The area is 84 miles long and 13 to 29 miles wide. It has a total area of 1,013,863 acres, or 1,583 square miles. About 24 percent of the area is cultivated, 42 percent is rangeland, and 34 percent is forestland. The major crops include small grain, grass and legumes grown for hay and pasture, and orchard crops. About 32,333 acres are irrigated. About 137 different kinds of soils are in the survey area.

A majority of the soils formed in loess and colluvium and residuum derived from basalt. Some soils formed in alluvium, eolian sand, and lake sediment. Most of the soils are very deep and well drained; however, many soils in the eastern part of the survey area are moderately deep or shallow over basalt. Some soils in low-lying areas have restricted drainage and are affected by wetness or excessive salts.

An old unpublished soil survey covers most of the survey area. This present survey updates the earlier survey. It gives additional information and provides maps that show the soils in greater detail.

Today, soil surveys are no longer published in book form; they are published to the web and accessed on NRCS Web Soil Survey where a person can create a custom soil survey. This allows for rapid flow of the latest soil information to the user. In the past it could take years to publish a paper soil survey. The information in a soil survey can be used by farmers and ranchers to help determine whether a particular soil type is suited for crops or livestock and what type of soil management might be required.

For more information, visit:

archive.org/details/usda-soil-survey-of-klickitat-county-...

Photo provided by a contributor to SoilScience.info

Profile of Clareville sandy clay loam in an area of Czar-Clareville complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded. The rich dark surface of this profile indicates an accumulation of organic matter and is naturally fertile. (Soil Survey of McMullen County, Texas; by Clark K. Harshbarger, Jon Wiedenfeld, and Gary Harris, Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The Clareville series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in loamy alluvial sediments of Holocene age. These nearly level to very gently sloping soils are on base slope on draws and drainageways. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent but mainly less that 2 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 711 mm (28 in) and mean annual air temperature is about 22 degrees C (72 degrees F)

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic Pachic Argiustolls

Solum thickness ranges from 150 to 203 (60 to 80 in). The mollic epipedon is 50 to 127 cm (20 to 50 in) thick.

Soil Moisture: A typic-ustic moisture regime. The soil moisture control section is dry in some or all parts for more than 90 days but less than 180 cumulative days in normal years. June through August and December through February are the driest months. These soils are intermittently moist in September through November and March through May. Mean annual soil temperature: 22 to 24 (72 to 75 degrees F).

Depth to secondary calcium carbonate: 61 to 91 cm (24 to 36 in)

Particle-size control section (weighted average)

Clay content: 35 to 45 percent

USE AND VEGETATION: Used mainly as cropland but some areas are in rangeland. Cultivated crops are cotton, grain sorghum, and corn. Native grasses include Arizona cottontop, little bluestem, sideoats grama, curlymesquite, and Texas bristlegrass. Woody invaders are whitebrush, spiny hackberry, and mesquite.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern and Central Rio Grande Plain and Gulf Coast Prairies, Texas; LRR I; MLRA 83A, 83C. The series is moderately extensive.

For additional information about the survey area, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/mcmullen...

For a detailed soil description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CLAREVILLE.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#clareville

Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Minidoka series in Idaho.

Landscape: Minidoka soils are used for irrigated cropland, pastureland and rangeland. The principal crops grown are wheat, barley, potatoes, alfalfa hay, sugar beets, corn, corn silage and dry beans.

The Minidoka series consists of moderately deep to a duripan, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in loess and alluvium from mixed sources. They are on basalt plains and terraces, with slopes of 0 to 12 percent. The average annual precipitation is about 9 inches, and the average annual air temperature is about 51 degrees F.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Xeric Haplodurids

Average annual soil temperature - 47 to 53 degrees F.

Depth to duripan - 20 to 40 inches

Depth to bedrock - 40 to more than 60 inches

Depth to calcic horizon - 7 to 16 inches and are calcareous to the soil surface.

Particle-size control section - 10 to 18 percent total clay, 5 to 15 percent carbonate free clay, 3 to 15 percent fine sand or coarser.

USE AND VEGETATION: Minidoka soils are used for irrigated cropland, pastureland and rangeland. The principal crops grown are wheat, barley, potatoes, alfalfa hay, sugar beets, corn, corn silage and dry beans. The native vegetation is Wyoming big sagebrush, and Thurber needlegrass.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southcentral and southwestern Idaho. This series is 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/M/MINIDOKA.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#minidoka

The Cullowhee series consists of somewhat poorly drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils on flood plains in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. They formed in recent alluvium that is loamy in the upper part and is moderately deep to sandy strata that contain more than 35 percent by volume rock fragments. They are very deep to bedrock. Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, mesic Fluvaquentic Humudepts

Solum thickness ranges from 12 to 35 inches. Sandy C horizons that contain more that 35 percent by volume gravel and/or cobbles are within depths of 20 to 40 inches. Gravel and/or cobbles are in the A and AC horizons of some pedons but comprise less than 35 percent. Content of mica flakes is few to common. Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid.

USE AND VEGETATION: Most of this soil is used for hay, corn, pasture, truck crops, or ornamental crops. The rest is mainly in hardwood forest. Common trees are yellow poplar, red maple, sycamore, yellow birch, and river birch. A few areas have been planted to eastern white pine. Common understory plants include rhododendron, sedges, and eastern hemlock.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Blue Ridge mountains, MLRA 130B of North Carolina, and possibly Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. The series is of small extent.

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/C/CULLOWHEE.html

For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#cullowhee

Photo provided by a contributor to SoilScience.info