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Soil profile: Llanos Costa loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. Llanos Costa soils are characterized by a surface layer of loam and a subsurface layer of clay loam or clay. They are in the aridic soil moisture regime. (Soil Survey of San Germán Area, Puerto Rico; by Jorge L. Lugo-Camacho, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: Naturalized pastureland in an area of Llanos Costa loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. Overgrazed areas should be reestablished and then protected from further overgrazing. Mechanical and chemical means can be used to help control competition from weeds.
The Llanos Costa series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on mountain foot slopes and alluvial fans of the Semiarid Mountains and Valleys MLRA. They formed in gravelly sediments that weathered from basalt, chert and rhyolite. Near the type location, the mean annual temperature is about 80 degrees F., and the mean annual precipitation is about 29 inches. Slopes range from 2 to 12 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, semiactive, isohyperthermic Typic Haplargids
Solum thickness is more than 60 inches. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to neutral in the A or Ap horizon and from moderately acid to neutral in the Bt horizons.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas of Llanos Costa soils are on pastureland. A few small areas are in cropland, primarily corn and sorghum. Vegetation consists of Guinea grass, Kleberg bluestem grass and other native and introduced grasses and shrubs.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Mountain foot slopes and alluvial fans of the Semiarid Mountains and Valleys MLRA. The series is of small extent.
These soils were formerly included in the Amelia series. A soil moisture study performed in the San German Area Soil Survey Update recognizes the Aridic Soil Moisture Regime in southern Puerto Rico. Llanos Costa soils formed in the Alluvium Formation (Qal) (Holocene and Pleistocene).
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The Foxcreek series consists of very deep, poorly drained soils that formed in mixed, stratified alluvium. These soils form on flood plains, drainageways that cross fan remnants, terraces, or valley floors on slopes 0 to 8 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 406 mm and the mean annual air temperature is about 5 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive Typic Cryaquolls
Mollic epipedon thickness: 25 to 50 cm
Depth to calcic horizon (when present): 50 to 91 cm
Depth to redoximorphic features (iron concentrations/depletions): 0 to 12 cm
Depth to sandy-skeletal material: 50 to 91 cm
Rock fragments (weighted average): 0 to 30 percent in the upper part of the control section and 35 to 85 percent in the lower part of the control section
Clay content: 18 to 35 percent in the upper part of the control section and 1 to 10 percent in the lower part of the control section
Soil reaction: Neutral to strongly alkaline
Mean annual soil temperature: 1.7 to 7.2 degrees C.
Mean summer soil temperature: 4.4 to 12.8 degrees C. (the o horizon is not always present) cryic temperature regime
Some pedons have an A horizon that lacks redoximorphic features.
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major uses: Pasture and hay
Range/ecological site: R013XY038ID
Dominant native vegetation: Sedges, baltic rush, wiregrass, white dutch clover, red top, timothy and willows
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Eastern Idaho, MLRA 13
Extent: The series is not extensive.
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Typic Petrogypsids, sandy, gypsic, hyperthermic (Soil AD121) are moderately deep, sandy soils with gypsum occurring in the surface and a petrogypsic horizon within 100cm from the surface. They occur in the northern part of the Emirate occupying the nearly level parts of inland gently undulating landscape. They are well drained or moderately well drained soils and have rapid or moderately rapid permeability.
These soils remain as barren land or in some places have been leveled for agroforestry or sometimes used for low intensity grazing by camel, sheep or goats. They frequently have less than 5% vegetation cover of Cornulaca aucheri, Cornulaca monacantha, Cyperus conglomeratus, Haloxylon persicum, Haloxylon salicornicum, Stipagrostis plumosa and Zygophyllum spp.
Plate 21: Typical soil profile and associated landscape for Typic Petrogypsids, sandy, mixed, hyperthermic (Soil AD123).
The Bustle series consists of very deep, well drained soils formed in loess over alluvium. Bustle soils are on hills and have slopes of 2 to 20 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 530 mm and the mean annual air temperature is about 3.3 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive Pachic Argicryolls
Mollic epipedon thickness: 50 to 100 cm
Particle size control section total clay: 21 to 27 percent
Soil moisture regime: udic
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major uses: small grains, hay and pasture
Dominant native vegetation: aspen
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Western Wyoming, MLRA 13
Extent: the series is not extensive
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The central concept of an Andisol is that of a soil developing in volcanic ejecta (such as volcanic ash, pumice, cinders, and lava) and/or in volcaniclastic materials, the colloidal fraction of which is dominated by short-rangeorder minerals or Al-humus complexes. Under some environmental conditions, weathering of primary aluminosilicates in parent materials of nonvolcanic origin may also lead to the formation of short-range-order minerals. Some of these soils also are included in Andisols.
The dominant processes in most Andisols are weathering and mineral transformation. Translocation within the soils and accumulation of the translocated compounds are normally minimal. The accumulation of organic matter, complexed with aluminum, however, is characteristic of Andisols in some regimes.
Weathering of primary alumino-silicates has proceeded only to the point of formation of short-range-order minerals, such as allophane, imogolite, and ferrihydrite. Commonly, this state has been perceived as a stage in the transition from unweathered to the more weathered volcanic material characteristic of some other soil orders. Under some conditions, however, the short-range-order minerals achieve a stability that allows them to persist with little or only very slow further alteration over long periods.
Andisols may have any diagnostic epipedon, provided that the minimum requirements for the order are met in and/or below the epipedon. Andisols may also have any soil moisture regime and any soil temperature regime. They can occupy any position on the landscape and can occur at any elevation.
Andisols have andic soil properties in 60 percent of a layer in the upper part of the soils. The upper part is considered to start at the mineral soil surface or at the surface of organic soil materials with andic soil properties and end at a point 60 cm below the starting point or at a densic, lithic, or paralithic contact, a duripan, or a petrocalcic horizon, whichever is shallowest. These soils may have many kinds of diagnostic horizons below this layer. The soils are considered Andisols if the criteria for thickness and position of the andic layer or layers are met, irrespective of the nature of the underlying material or horizons.
Cultivation of the soils, as in puddling of the surface layer in areas used for rice paddies, may change some of the physical properties of the upper part of the soils, such as bulk density. A soil that, below this disturbed zone, has a layer, at least 36 cm thick, with andic soil properties meets the requirements for Andisols. Many Andisols, such as those that formed in some loess or alluvium, are stratified. Before the soils are considered Andisols, the layers that meet the requirements for andic soil properties must have a cumulative thickness of at least 36 cm within the upper 60 cm.
One of the outstanding features of Andisols is their high natural productivity. There are exceptions to this very general statement, but the dominance of physical properties that favor the growth of most plants, allied to the most common occurrence of the soils in areas of considerable rainfall, has resulted in volcanic soils being generally regarded as highly fertile soils.
Andisols cover more than 124 million hectares, or approximately 0.8 percent of the earth’s surface. By far, the most striking pattern in the distribution of Andisols follows the circum-Pacific Ring of Fire—that concentration of active tectonic zones and volcanoes along the western coast of the American continents, both North and South, across the Aleutian Islands, down the Kamchatka peninsula of Russia, through Japan, the Philippine Islands, and Indonesia, across Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands to New Zealand. Other distinctive patterns are associated with the Rift Valley of Africa, the west coast of Italy, the Hawaiian Islands, the West Indies, Iceland, the Canary Islands, and other island locations.
SOIL TAXONOMY
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KEYS TO SOIL TAXONOMY
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The Hegne series consists of very deep, poorly drained soils that formed in clayey calcareous lacustrine sediments on glacial lake plains. These soils have slow or very slow permeability. They have slopes of 0 to 2 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, frigid Typic Calciaquerts
USE AND VEGETATION: Nearly all of these soils are cultivated. Principal crops are small grains and sugar beets. Native vegetation is tall grass prairie.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Principally in the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, also in smaller glacial lake basins in western Minnesota and north-central North Dakota. These soils are extensive.
REMARKS: The classification of these soils is in question as to whether they should be in the Typic or Aeric subgroup of Calciaquerts. This needs further investigation. This series was previously classified in the Typic Calciaquolls subgroup.
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Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Wehadkee series. Wehadkee soils are poorly drained and very poorly drained. Soft masses of iron accumulation are in shades of red, yellow, and brown are common thoughout. Runoff is very slow and internal drainage is very slow. Permeability is moderate. Most areas are frequently flooded and receive fresh sediment annually.
Landscape: Typical landscape for Wehadkee loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, ponded. This wetland soil supports unique vegetation, provides valuable habitat for wildlife, and filters ground water. (Soil Survey of Monroe County, Georgia; by Dee C. Pederson and Sherry E. Carlson, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Wehadkee series consists of very deep soils on flood plains along streams that drain from the mountains and piedmont. They are formed in loamy sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, active, nonacid, thermic Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts
Solum thickness ranges from about 20 to more than 60 inches. The content of mica flakes ranges from few to many. The soil ranges from very strongly acid through neutral, but some part of the 10 to 40 inch control section is moderately acid through neutral. Content of rock fragments ranges from 0 to 5 percent by volume in the A and B horizons, and from 0 to 20 percent by volume in the C horizons. Fragments are dominantly pebbles in size.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of the area is in forest; chiefly water tolerant hardwoods such as sweetgum, blackgum, water oak, willow, oak, poplar, hickories, beech, and elm. Drained areas are used for pasture, corn, and hay.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The soil is of moderate extent.
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The Driggs series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in mixed alluvium with loess influence. Driggs soils are on fan remnants and have slopes of 0 to 30 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 406 mm and the mean annual air temperature is about 5 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, frigid Calcic Argixerolls
Mollic epipedon thickness: 25 to 44 cm.
Control section total clay range: 20 to 30 percent in the upper part and 1 to 8 percent in the lower part
Rock fragments: 2 to 20 percent in the upper part and,35 to 95 percent in the lower part
Depth to argillic horizon: 12 to 29 cm
Depth to calcic horizon: 44 to 86 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent: 15 to 40 percent in the calcic horizon
Depth to sandy-skeletal material (2Bk horizon): 50 to 89 cm
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major uses: irrigated areas are used primarily for small grains, potatoes, hay and pasture; nonirrigated areas are used for pasture and limited production of small grains and hay. Dominant native vegetation: mountain big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, arrowleaf balsamroot, snowberry, antelope bitterbrush
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Southeastern Idaho, MLRA 13
Extent: the series is not extensive
This revision in 2007 changes the type location and classification of this series. It was formerly classified as fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed superactive Xeric Argicryolls.
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Plate 4: Typical soil profile and associated landscape for the Ghadar series (soil AD204).
Taxonomic classification: Typic Haplocalcids, sandy, mixed, hyperthermic
The Ghadar series is a moderately deep to deep sandy soil overlying bedrock (typically calcareous sandstone). The soils are typically somewhat excessively to excessively drained. They occur on flats and gentle slopes within gently undulating to undulating deflation plains. They are formed from eolian sands and occur in older landscapes.
These soils occur on gentle slopes within gently undulating to undulating deflation plains. They are formed from eolian sands and occur in older landscapes.
These soils are used for rangeland grazing of camels though vegetation cover is frequently less than 5%. Common vegetation species recorded is Haloxylon salicornicum with occasional Zygophyllum spp.
This soil is common in the Ghayathi sub-area and has occasionally been described from the As Sila’ sub-area and the Al Ain sub-area.
The main feature of this soil is the moderately deep sandy profile overlying bedrock. The soil shows evidence of the accumulation of carbonates, is non-gypsic and is non-saline. The limited soil depth over a hardpan is the main limitation to the irrigated use of this soil. The sandy nature of the soil, giving rise to low nutrient storage and moisture holding capacities is also an issue. The soil surface may also be susceptible to erosion by wind unless protected. This soil is considered unsuitable for irrigated agriculture.
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Soil profile: A representative profile of the Cieneba series. A paralithic contact is at a depth of 40 centimeters.
Landscape: An area of Cieneba soil with chaparral, along the shoulder of a spur ridge next to the Las Flores Motorway in Glendale. (Supplement to the Soil Survey of Los Angeles County, California, Southeastern Part; by Randy L. Riddle, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Cieneba series consists of very shallow and shallow, somewhat excessively drained soils that formed in material weathered from granitic rock. Cieneba soils are on hills and mountains and have slopes of 9 to 85 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 635 mm (25 inches) and the mean annual air temperature is about 16 degrees C (60 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic, shallow Typic Xerorthents
Soil moisture: Soil below a depth of about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) usually is moist all of the time after November until sometime in May and is dry the remainder of the year.
Mean Annual Soil Temperature: 15 to 18 degrees C (59 to 65 degrees F).
Rock fragments: 0 to 35 percent by volume
Depth to paralithic contact: 10 to 50 cm (4 to 20 inches)
Reaction: neutral to strongly acid, dominantly slightly or medium acid
Clay content: less than 18 percent throughout the profile
Textures: coarse sandy loam, sandy loam, loam or has a gravelly modifier
Sand fraction: 15 to 25 percent coarse and very coarse sand
Organic matter: less than 1 percent below a depth of 2 to 10 cm (1 to 4 inches)
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for wildlife, recreation, watershed, and incidental grazing. Vegetation is mainly chaparral and chemise with widely spread foothill pine or oak tree. There are small area of thin annual grasses and weeds.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Coastal mountain ranges in central and southern California and foothills of the Sierra Nevada, MLRAs 15, 18 and 20. The soil is extensive.
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The Hazleton series consists of deep and very deep, well drained soils formed in residuum of acid gray, brown or red sandstone on uplands. Slope ranges from 0 to 80 percent. Permeability is moderately rapid to rapid. Mean annual precipitation is about 48 inches. Mean annual air temperature is about 51 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy-skeletal, siliceous, active, mesic Typic Dystrudepts
Solum thickness ranges from 25 to 50 inches. Depth to lithic contact ranges from 40 to 80 inches . Rock fragments of angular sandstone, dominantly less than 10 inches in size, range from 5 to 70 percent in individual horizons of the solum and from 35 to 80 percent in the C horizon. Boulders, stones, flags and channers cover about 5 to 60 percent of the surface of some pedons. The control section averages less than 18 percent clay. Reaction ranges from strongly acid through extremely acid throughout where unlimed.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most Hazleton soils are in woodland of mixed oaks, maple, cherry and occasional conifers. Some areas have been cleared for pasture and cropland.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and possibly Ohio. MLRA's 124, 126, 127, 147, 148.
The series is of large extent.
The Elwha series consists of moderately deep, moderately well drained soils formed in glacial drift over dense glacial drift on glacially modified hills. Slopes are 0 to 35 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 830 millimeters and the mean annual temperature is about 10.0 degrees C.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, isotic, mesic Aquic Dystroxerepts
Depth to densic contact - 50 to 100 cm
Depth to redoximorphic features - 46 to 100 cm
Reaction - strongly acid to neutral
Volcanic glass content less than 5 percent in the upper 75 cm
Acid-oxalate extractable Al and Iron less than 1 percent in the upper 75 cm
Particle size control section:
Clay content - 5 to 18 percent
Rock fragments - 0 to 35 percent gravel, 0 to 5 percent cobbles, and 0 to 35
percent total
USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for livestock grazing, forage crop production, timber production, and homesites. Potential natural vegetation consists of western hemlock, Douglas-fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, swordfern, red huckleberry, evergreen huckleberry, salal, oceanspray and trailing blackberry.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northwestern Washington; MLRA 2, North. Series is of moderate extent.
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The Crider series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on uplands. They formed in a loess mantle and the underlying residuum from limestone. Slopes range from 0 to 30 percent. Near the type location, the mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and the mean annual temperature is 57 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, active, mesic Typic Paleudalfs
Thickness of the solum ranges from 60 to more than 100 inches. Depth to bedrock ranges from 60 to more than 160 inches; commonly more than 100 inches. Fragments of chert ranges from 0 to about 15 percent; in some pedons it ranges 0 to 35 percent below the lithologic discontinuity. Reaction is from neutral to strongly acid to a depth of 40 inches, and from moderately acid to very strongly acid below 40 inches.
USE AND VEGETATION: Nearly all of the soil is used for growing crops and pasture. The chief crops are corn, small grains, soybeans, tobacco,and hay; truck crops are grown in a few places. The original vegetation was mixed hardwood forest, chiefly of oaks, maple, hickory, elm, ash, and hackberry.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Pennyroyal and the western Outer Bluegrass of Kentucky; the northern part of the Highland Rim of Tennessee, Illinois and southern Indiana and eastern Missouri. The soil is of large extent.
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A representative soil profile of the Lenberg series. (Kentucky Soil Atlas; by Anastasios D. Karathanasis, University of Kentucky)
The Lenberg series consists of moderately deep well drained soils formed in residuum of acid clayey shale which is often interbedded with thin strata of siltstone, sandstone, or shale. Permeability is moderately slow. Slopes range from 6 to 45 percent. Average annual precipitation is 47 inches. Average annual temperature is 56 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, semiactive, mesic Ultic Hapludalfs
The solum thickness and depth to a paralithic contact ranges from 20 to 40 inches. Reaction ranges from neutral to very strongly acid in the upper part of the solum and from strongly acid to very strongly acid in the lower part. Sandstone, siltstone, and shale fragments mostly 1/2 inch to 6 inches across, range from 0 to 30 percent by volume in the solum, and 5 to 60 percent in the C horizon.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of this soil is forested. Species of trees include upland oaks, hickory, beech, elm, black walnut, and maple. Some areas have been cleared and used for cultivated crops. Many of these areas are now idle and growing young hardwoods of the above species, and sassafras, persimmon, sumac, or redcedar. A few areas are used for hay or pasture.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Pennroyal and Western Coal Field Regions of Kentucky. The extent is moderate, over 150,000 acres..
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A representative soil profile of the Pinnacles series. (Soil Survey of Pinnacles National Monument, California; by Ken Oster, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Pinnacles soils have light brownish gray, medium acid, sandy loam A horizons, brown, strongly acid, sandy clay B2t horizons, and light yellowish brown, sandy clay loam C horizons over sandstone at depth of about 25 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: fine, smectitic, thermic Ultic Palexeralfs
Depth to a paralithic contact is 25 to 40 inches. The mean annual soil temperature is about 60 degrees F. to 65 degrees F. and the soil temperature usually is not below 47 degrees F. at any time. Soil between depths of about 6 and 20 inches usually is dry all the time from April until early December and usually is moist in some or all parts all the rest of the year. Rock fragments, mostly smaller than 3 inches, usually make up 3 to 6 percent of all horizons and may be as much as 35 percent. The soil has some angular and subangular coarse and very coarse sand and has a "gritty" feel.
USE AND VEGETATION: The soils are used for range and watershed. Vegetation on less steep areas generally consists of annual grasses and forbs. Steeper areas are covered with chaparral.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Coast Range, San Benito and Monterey Counties, California. The soil is moderately extensive.
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Soil profile: The Quetico series consists of very shallow, well drained soils.(Soil Survey of Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota; by Peter Weikle, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: These soils formed in loamy noncalcareous glacial drift on uplands with relief controlled by the underlying bedrock. These soils have bedrock beginning at depths ranging from 4 to 10 inches. The saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderate in the loamy mantle. Slopes range from 2 to 90 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 28 inches and mean annual air temperature is about 37 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, isotic, acid, frigid Lithic Udorthents
Thickness of solum and depth to bedrock range from 4 to 10 inches. Texture of the material above the rock contact is loam, silt loam, sandy loam, fine sandy loam or gravelly and cobbly analogues. Content of gravel by volume ranges from 3 to 35 percent. Stones and boulders within or on the soil range from 0 to 3 percent. The gravel is dominantly granite or gabbro, but sandstone is included in a few places. Reaction is very strongly acid or strongly acid.
USE AND VEGETATION: These soils mostly are in mixed deciduous and coniferous forest. Dominant trees are jack pine, red pine, white pine, quaking aspen, paper birch, balsam fir and mountain ash. Major resource uses are recreation, timber, watershed, and wildlife habitat.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRA's 88, 90, 93 and 142. The Laurentian Shield region of northeastern Minnesota and in New York. Moderately extensive.
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Dothan soil series (with nodular plinthite) GA
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults
The Dothan series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in thick beds of unconsolidated, medium to fine-textured marine sediments. Dothan soils are on interfluves. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
Most areas of Dothan soils have been cleared and are used for the production of corn, cotton, peanuts, vegetable crops, hay, and pasture. Forested areas are in longleaf pine, loblolly pine, sweetgum, southern red oak, and hickory.
The series is extensive through the Southern Coastal Plain, but it also occurs to a lesser extent in the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, and VA).
A representative soil profile of a Typic Dystrocryept in Idaho.
The central concept or the Typic subgroup of Dystrocryepts is fixed on deep, more or less freely drained soils that have an ochric epipedon. Typic Dystrocryepts are of large extent in the United States. They are mostly in the mountains of the Western States and in Alaska. The vegetation is mostly coniferous forest. The soils are used mainly for timber production and wildlife habitat.
The soils are used for timber-production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed. A few areas are used for limited livestock grazing. Natural vegetation is mainly western hemlock, western redcedar, western larch, and western white pine with understory of big blueberry, common beargrass, myrtle pachystima and northern twinflower.
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A representative profile of the Soboba series, at Big Tujunga Wash recreation area to the west of Big Tujunga Road. (Supplement to the Soil Survey of Los Angeles County, California, Southeastern Part; by Randy L. Riddle and Christopher “Kit” Paris, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
The Soboba series consists of deep, excessively drained soils that formed in alluvium from predominantly granitic rock sources. Sobaba soils are on alluvial fans and flood plains and have slopes of 0 to 30 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 15 inches and the mean annual air temperature is about 61 degrees F.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy-skeletal, mixed, thermic Typic Xerofluvents
The soils are usually moist in some or all parts between depths of 12 and 35 inches from about December 1 to April 15. The mean annual soil temperature is about 63 to 65 degrees F.
USE AND VEGETATION: The soils are used mostly for pasture. The native vegetation is annual grasses and forbs and chaparral shrubs.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Interior valleys of southern California. The soils are of moderate extent. Soboba soils represent very gravelly, cobbly, or stony soils formerly included in the Tujunga series.
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Soil profie: A representative soil profile of the Quinlan series. (Soil Survey of Harper County, Oklahoma; by Troy Collier and Steve Alspach, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscpe: Typical landscape in an area of Quinlan-Rock outcrop-Yomont complex, 0 to 45 percent slopes. Quinlan soils are on the interfluves. Rock outcrop is on steep side slopes and at the head of drains. Yomont soils are in the drainageways in the foreground.
The Quinlan series consists of shallow, well drained, moderately rapid to moderately permeable soils that formed in loamy residuum weathered from noncemented, calcareous sandstone bedrock of Permian age. These soils occur on nearly level to very steep interfluves and side slopes of hillslopes, ridges, and escarpments in the Central Rolling Red Plains. Slope ranges from 1 to 50 percent. Mean annual precipitation is 635 mm (25 in) and mean annual temperature is 16.1 degrees C (61 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic, shallow Typic Haplustepts
Soil moisture: A typic-ustic soil moisture regime.
Thickness of the ochric epipedon: 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in)
Depth to densic bedrock: 25 to 50 cm (10 to 20 in)
Note: At the time of publication of the Harper County soil survey, Quinlan soils were shallow to root limiting and cemented, paralithic materials (Cr). After study, the underlying parent material was revised to root limiting and noncemented, densic materials.
Particle-size control section (weighted average):
Total clay content: 10 to 30 percent
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major uses: mostly livestock grazing but a considerable acreage on lesser slopes is used for crop production
Native vegetation: mainly little bluestem and grama grasses
Ecological sites assigned to phases and components of this series are listed below. Current ecological site assignments are in Web Soil Survey. Components of this series include the following ecological sites: Shallow, Shallow Upland, Loamy Breaks
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
General area: Western Oklahoma, a few counties in southern Kansas, and northwestern Texas
Land Resource Region: H - Central Great Plains Winter Wheat and Range Region
MLRA 78B & 78C - Central Rolling Red Plains, Western and Eastern Parts
Extent: Large
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/oklahoma/OK059...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
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A Calcic Petrogypsid, salidic from the interior of the UAE.
Calcic Petrogypsids have a calcic horizon overlying a petrogypsic horizon. In addition, this pedon has an ECe of more than 8 to less than 30 dS m −1 in a layer 10 cm or more thick at a depth of 100 to 200 cm (salidic phase).
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 calcic horizon is an illuvial horizon in which secondary calcium carbonate or other carbonates have accumulated to a significant extent.
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 cemented through indurated cementation classes), and the cementation is both laterally continuous and root limiting, even when the soil is moist.
Petrogypsids are the Gypsids that have a petrogypsic horizon that has its upper boundary within 100 cm of the soil surface. These soils occur in very arid areas of the world where the parent material is high in content of gypsum. When the petrogypsic horizon is close to the surface, crusting forms pseudohexagonal patterns on the soil surface. Petrogypsids occupy old surfaces. In Syria and Iraq, they are on the highest terraces along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. These soils are not extensive in the United States but are extensive in other countries.
Gypsids are the Aridisols that have a gypsic or petrogypsic horizon within 100 cm of the soil surface. Accumulation of gypsum takes place initially as crystal aggregates in the voids of the soils. These aggregates grow by accretion, displacing the enclosing soil material. When the gypsic horizon occurs as a cemented impermeable layer, it is recognized as the petrogypsic horizon. Each of these forms of gypsum accumulation implies processes in the soils, and each presents a constraint to soil use. One of the largest constraints is dissolution of the gypsum, which plays havoc with structures, roads, and irrigation delivery systems. The presence of one or more of these horizons, with or without other diagnostic horizons, defines the great groups of the Gypsids. Gypsids occur in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, West Asia, and some of the most arid areas of the western part of the United States. Gypsids are on many segments of the landscape. Some of them have calcic or related horizons that overlie the gypsic horizon.
For more information about describing soils, visit:
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For additional information about soil classification using Soil Taxonomy, visit:
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For more information about soil classification using the UAE Keys to Soil Taxonomy, visit:
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A representative soil profile of the Abhainn series in an area of unimproved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in peat over lake alluvium. For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit the Ireland Soils guide.
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Histic Calcareous Alluvial Soils (soils influenced by water). These soils have evidence of reduced conditions (gleying) within 40 cm and a calcareous sub-surface horizon starting at or within 40 cm, with a peaty surface horizon (> 20% organic carbon) less than 40 cm thick.
The Orangeburg series consists of red, very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on uplands of the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A). They formed in loamy and clayey marine sediments. Near the type location, the average annual temperature is about 65 degrees F., and the average annual precipitation is about 52 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudults
Most areas of Orangeburg soils are used for growing cotton, corn, tobacco and peanuts. Some areas are in pasture and woodland. Forest species include longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, loblolly pine, various oaks, hickory and dogwood.
For more information on Soil Taxonomy, visit:
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NOTE:
Original classification based on USDA-Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 10th Edition, 2006:
Typic Haplocalcids, sandy, carbonatic, hyperthermic
Updated classification based on UAE-Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 2014:
Salidic Haplocalcids, sandy, carbonatic, hyperthermic
AD101 consist of very deep or deep sand with a calcic horizon within 100 cm depth and are moderately to strongly saline in a layer 10 cm or more thick, within 100 cm of the soil surface. They occur on all landscape positions within level plains to undulating rises. They have also been described in some older sand sheets and interdunal depressions. They are formed in eolian sand. Soils are well drained or somewhat excessively drained. Permeability is rapid or moderately rapid.
These soils remain as barren land or in some places have been leveled for agroforestry/farming or sometimes used for low intensity grazing by camel, sheep or goats. They frequently have less than 5% vegetation cover of Cyperus conglomeratus and Haloxylon persicum.
Plate 1: Typical soil profile and associated landscape for Typic Haplocalcids, sandy, carbonatic, hyperthermic (Soil AD101).
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Typic Petrocalcids, sandy, carbonatic, hyperthermic, shallow (Soil AD106) are shallow or very shallow sand overlying calcium carbonate-rich cemented hardpan within 50cm. These soils occur mainly on the eastern coastline areas and also in older deflation plain locations. The soils are disturbed through human activity and are under heavy pressure from excavation. The soils are well drained or moderately well drained above the hardpan. The hardpans are very slow or moderately slow in permeability.
The soils are under heavy pressure from excavation, and the habitats are heavily disturbed. No vegetation has been recorded. The soils are not common in distribution. They have been observed in elevated parts of the northeastern coastal plain and in scattered deflation plains throughout the Emirate.
Plate 6: Typical soil profile and associated landscape for Typic Petrocalcids, sandy, carbonatic, hyperthermic, shallow (Soil AD106).
A typical profile of Alpin fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes. (Soil Survey of Suwannee County, Florida; by Robert L. Weatherspoon, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Alpin series consists of very deep, excessively drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils on uplands and river terraces of the Coastal Plain. They formed in thick beds of sandy eolian or marine deposits. Near the type location, the mean annual precipitation is about 55 inches and the mean annual temperature is about 68 70 degrees F. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Thermic, coated Lamellic Quartzipsamments
Thickness of sand is 80 inches or more. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid throughout. Depth to lamellae ranges from 40 to 78 inches but most commonly is 50 to 70 inches. Cumulative thickness of lamellae ranges from 1 cm to 15 cm. Content of silt plus clay in the 10 to 40-inch control section ranges from 5 to 10 percent.
USE AND VEGETATION: Many areas are planted to pine. Some small areas have been cleared and are used for tobacco, peanuts, watermelons, and tame pasture. The native vegetation consists of scattered slash pine and longleaf pine, turkey oak, post oak, blackjack oak, and bluejack oak. The understory is dominated by bluestem, low panicums, fringeleaf paspalum, and native annual forbs.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain including Texas. The series is of large extent.
These soils were formerly mapped in the Lakeland series. This concept provides for sandy soils that have lamellae that total less than 6 inches thick within depths of 80 inches. Depth to seasonal water table is more than 80 inches. Some low terraces flood occasionally for brief periods.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/florida/FL121/...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
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Gypsic Aquisalids in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(Classification by UAE Keys to Soil Taxonomy)
For more information about soil classification in the UAE, visit:
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Gypsic Aquisalids are the Aquisalids that have a gypsic or petrogypsic horizon with an upper boundary within 100 cm of the soil surface.
Gypsic horizons are an illuvial horizon in which secondary gypsum has accumulated to a significant extent. Most gypsic horizons occur in arid environments where the parent materials are rich in gypsum. In soils that have ground water near the surface, capillary rise and evaporation plus transpiration can result in significant accumulations of gypsum. Gypsum may accumulate uniformly throughout a matrix of sand and finer textured material or as masses or clusters of crystals. In gravelly or stony material, it may accumulate in pendants below the rock fragments. Because of its solubility, gypsum can dissolve in soils and cause damage to buildings, roads, irrigation delivery systems, earthen dams, and other structures.
Aquisalids are the Salids that are saturated with water in one or more layers within 100 cm of the mineral soil surface for 1 month or more in normal years. These salty soils are in wet areas in the deserts where capillary rise and evaporation of water concentrate the salts near the surface. Some of these soils have redoximorphic depletions and concentrations. In other soils redoximorphic features may not be evident because of a high pH and the associated low redox potential, which inhibit iron and manganese reduction. These soils occur dominantly in depressional areas where ground water saturates the soils at least part of the year. The vegetation on these soils generally is sparse, consisting of salt-tolerant shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Although these soils may hold water at a tension less than 1500 kPa, the dissolved salt content makes the soils physiologically dry.
Salids are most common in depressions (playas) in the deserts or in closed basins in the wetter areas bordering the deserts. In North Africa and in the Near East, such depressions are referred to as Sabkhas depending on the presence or absence of surface water for prolonged periods. Under the arid environment and hot temperatures, accumulation of salts commonly occurs when there is a supply of salts and a net upward movement of water in the soils. In some areas a salic horizon has formed in salty parent materials without the presence of ground water. The most common form of salt is sodium chloride (halite), but sulfates (thenardite, mirabilite, and hexahydrite) and other salts may also occur. Salids are Aridisols that are unsuitable for agricultural use, unless the salts are leached out. Leaching the salts is an expensive undertaking, particularly if there is no natural outlet for the drainage water.
Aridisols, as their name implies, are soils in which water is not available to mesophytic plants for long periods. During most of the time when the soils are warm enough for plants to grow, soil water is held at potentials less than the permanent wilting point or has a content of soluble salts great enough to limit the growth of plants other than halophytes, or both. The concept of Aridisols is based on limited soil moisture available for the growth of most plants. In areas bordering deserts, the absolute precipitation may be sufficient for the growth of some plants. Because of runoff or a very low storage capacity of the soils, or both, however, the actual soil moisture regime is aridic.
www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-co...
For more information about soil classification in the UAE, visit:
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Depth Class: Very deep
Drainage Class: Moderately well drained
Permeability: Moderate
Surface Runoff: Slow
Parent Material: Loamy fluvial sediments
Slope: 0 to 10 percent
Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 61 degrees F.
Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 48 inches
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Aquic Hapludults
Solum Thickness: 30 to more than 60 inches
Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 60 inches
Depth to Seasonal High Water Table: 18 to 30 inches, December to April
Soil Reaction: Extremely acid to moderately acid except where the surface has been limed
Gravel Content: 0 to 5 percent in the A and B horizons and 0 to 35 percent in the C horizon
Other Features: Flakes of mica range from none to common in the B and C horizons
USE AND VEGETATION:
Major Uses: Mostly cultivated
Dominant Vegetation: Where cultivated--corn, cotton, small grain, soybeans, tobacco, peanuts, and truck crops. Where wooded--loblolly, sweetgum, red maple, yellow-poplar, white oak, southern red oak, water oak, American beech, and hickory. Common understory plants include flowering dogwood, blueberry, sassafras, eastern redbud, eastern redcedar, winged elm, greenbrier, sourwood, southern bayberry (waxmyrtle), inkberry (bitter gallberry), summersweet clethra, honeysuckle, and poison ivy
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT:
Distribution: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and Virginia. Altavista soils were correlated in older surveys in Pennsylvania, but those survey areas are outside the MLRA range.
Extent: Large
Altavista soils are restricted to fluvial terraces. The 05/06 revision refined the textures of the C and Cg in the range of characteristics. The 03/06 revision dropped MLRA 153B.
For a detailed soil description, visit:
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Scientists from PNNL present the fourth and final lesson in their after-school series at Sagebrush Montessori School in Richland, WA. In this lesson, students learned about mushrooms.
Terms of Use: Our images are freely and publicly available for use with the credit line, "Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory"; Please use provided caption information for use in appropriate context.
Soil profile: Andic Dystrudepts are the Inceptisols that have, throughout one or more horizons with a total thickness of 18 cm or more within 75 cm of the mineral soil surface, a fine-earth fraction with both a bulk density of 1.0 g/cm3 or less, measured at 33 kPa water retention, and Al plus 1/2 Fe percentages (by ammonium oxalate) totaling more than 1.0.
Landscape: These soils have some andic soil properties in a layer in the upper part that is 18 cm or more thick. Some of the soils contain a significant amount of volcanic ash. Some have an umbric epipedon. Thee soils are moderately extensive in the Northwestern United States. The native vegetation consists mostly of coniferous forest. Most of these soils support their native vegetation and are used as forest. A few of the less sloping soils have been cleared and are used as cropland or pasture.
The central concept of Inceptisols is that of soils that are of cool to very warm, humid and subhumid regions and that have a cambic horizon and an ochric epipedon. The order of Inceptisols includes a wide variety of soils. In some areas Inceptisols are soils with minimal development, while in other areas they are soils with diagnostic horizons that merely fail the criteria of the other soil orders. Inceptisols have many kinds of diagnostic horizons and epipedons. They can have an anthropic, histic, mollic, ochric, plaggen, or umbric epipedon.
For additional information about Idaho soils, please visit:
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Agricultural development in Liwa Oasis area of the UAE.
Most of the UAE's cultivated land is taken up by date palms, which in the early 1990s numbered about 4 million. They are cultivated in the arc of small oases that constitute the Al Liwa Oasis. Both federal and amirate governments provide incentives to farmers. For example, the government offers a 50 percent subsidy on fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. It also provides loans for machinery and technical assistance. The amirates have forty-one agricultural extension units as well as several experimental farms and agricultural research stations. The number of farmers rose from about 4,000 in the early 1970s to 18,265 in 1988.
Lack of arable land, intense heat, periodic locust swarms, and limited water supplies are the main obstacles to agriculture. The drive to increase the area under cultivation has resulted in the rapid depletion of underground aquifers, resulting in precipitous drops in water tables and serious increases in soil and water salinity in some areas.
For more information about soil classification in the UAE, visit:
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For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
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or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:
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For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:
The newly updated Soil Survey Manual (issued March 2017), USDA Handbook No. 18, provides the major principles and practices needed for making and using soil surveys and for assembling and using related data. The Manual serves as a guiding document for activities of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). Previously published in 1937, 1951, and 1993, the Soil Survey Manual is one of the defining documents for soil survey in the world.
The Soil Survey Manual, USDA Handbook No. 18, provides the major principles and practices needed for making and using soil surveys and for assembling and using related data. The term “soil survey” is used here to encompass the process of mapping, describing, classifying, and interpreting natural three-dimensional bodies of soil on the landscape. This work is performed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) in the United States and by other similar organizations worldwide.
The Manual provides guidance, methodology, and terminology for conducting a soil survey but does not necessarily convey policies and protocols required to administer soil survey operations. The soil bodies contain a sequence of identifiable horizons and layers that occur in repeating patterns in the landscape as a result of the factors of soil formation as described by Dokuchaev (1883) and Jenny (1941).
For information about the major principles and practices needed for making soil surveys using the Soil Survey Manual, visit Soil Survey Manual. From this site the manual may be viewed, printed, or saved.
NOTE:
Original classification based on USDA-Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 10th Edition, 2006:
Typic Calcigypsids, sandy, mixed, hyperthermic, lithic phase
Updated classification based on UAE-Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 2014:
Salidic Calcigypsids, sandy, mixed, hyperthermic, lithic
AD108 are a phase of soil AD107 with which they often occur in association. They differ from the parent soil in that a lithic contact, typically calcareous sandstone, is encountered at some depth below 50cm but within 200cm and are moderately to strongly saline in a layer 10 cm or more thick, within 100 cm of the soil surface. In other properties this soil is essentially the same as the parent soil. The majority of sites recorded a soil drainage of moderately well to excessively drained reflecting the typically sandy nature of the soil materials. Soil Permeability is high above the lithic contact.
These soils predominantly remain as barren land support low intensity grazing by sheep, camels and goats. Occasional sites recorded greater than 5% vegetation cover. Dominant plant species recorded include Haloxylon salicornicum and Zygophyllum spp.
This minor soil occurs as a few scattered sites. The soils occur predominantly in the north-east of the Emirate but have also been described in western parts adjacent to Sabkhat Matti.
(No photo in published survey.)
This region represents the low lying coastal flats dominated by saline soils and slightly higher gypsic rises but including some areas of carbonatic sand sheets underlain by miliolite.
Salt flats are too harsh for most plants and animals to survive, yet are quite fragile. Delicate crystals are easily crushed and the relatively thin upper crust of salt can break through to the mud layer below, leaving tire tracks and even footprints.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates
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The Biltmore series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in recent alluvium on flood plains in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and mesic areas of the Southern Piedmont. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Mixed, mesic Typic Udipsamments
The sandy sediments range from 40 to 80 inches or more in thickness. In some pedons below a depth of 40 inches, there are strata of loamy material, or deposits of cobbles and gravel that are stratified with sandy or loamy material. Thin loamy layers are within the upper 40 inches in some pedons, but have a combined thickness of less than 6 inches. Coarse fragments range from 0 to 10 percent by volume in the upper 40 inches. Underlying beds of gravel and cobbles are in many pedons within a 40 to 80 inch depth. Flakes of mica range from few to many throughout. The soil ranges from strongly acid through slightly alkaline.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most of the acreage of this soil is cleared of forest and used for pasture and crops. Important crops grown are corn for grain and silage, small grains, truck crops, burley tobacco, and pasture. Native forest species include white pine, yellow-poplar, northern red oak, black oak, white oak, black walnut, American Sycamore, red maple, river birch, American beech, white ash, black locust, hickory, basswood, and blackgum. Rhododendron and blueberry are common understory plants.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; mesic areas of the Southern Piedmont in North Carolina and Virginia. The series is of moderate extent.
For a detailed description, visit:
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Soil color is one of the few things in nature that is arguably of equal interest to both natural resource scientists and children at play. Successful soil scientists and surveyors appreciate the tremendous quantity of information that is typically related to soil color variation in depth and space. While not always entirely quantitative, soil color supports a practical, qualitative scaffolding for our understanding of a landscape’s recent and long-term history, clues about dominant mineralogy, a striking picture of where organic matter has accumulated, and many other factors that affect our use and understanding of the soil resource.
Given the right context, soil color and its interpretation can be effectively used as a narrative for educating people about “what types of soils are where, and why?”. To communicate this part-art and part-science topic, Soil and Plant Science Division staff have recently created maps and images displaying soil colors in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions. Enjoy this unique opportunity to see how soils and geologic features are inextricably linked and vary across the landscape.
A representative soil profile of Arenisco fine sand, in an area of Lopeno-Potrero-Arenisco complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes. A krotovina, or animal burrow, is located at a depth of 150 centimeters. . (Soil Survey of Kenedy and Kleberg Counties, Texas; by Nathan I. Haile, and Dennis N. Brezina, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Arenisco series consists of very deep, excessively drained, rapidly permeable soils that formed in sandy eolian sediments of Holocene age. These soils are on nearly level to gently undulating, vegetated lag dunes on the south Texas coastal plain. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. Mean annual air temperature is about 22 degrees C (72 degrees F), and mean annual precipitation is about 686 mm (27 in).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ustipsamments
Soil Moisture: An Ustic moisture regime. The Soil Moisture Control Section (SMCS) is dry in some or all parts for more than 90 days cumulative in normal years. The SMCS is also either moist in some or all parts for 180 cumulative days or more or moist for 90 or more consecutive days in normal years. June through September are the driest months.
A water table is present in most pedons at depths of 102 to 203 cm (40 to 80 in) in most years from October to May.
Depth to redox concentrations: 102 to 203 cm (40 to 80 in)
Particle-size control section (weighted average)
Clay content: 1 to 5 percent
Sand content: 91 to 97 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Vegetation consists mostly of short to mid grasses such as sand bur, hairy grama, seacoast bluestem, gulfdune paspalum and threeawn. Forbs such as partridge pea, croton, ragweed, beebalm, false indigo, also many yellow and white flowered asteraceae of an unknown species at this time. The ecolocical site is Coastal Sand, PE 31-44 (150BY648TX).
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Gulf Coast Saline Prairies (MLRA 150B in LRR T) of south Texas. The series is of moderate extent. This soil was formerly included in the Falfurrias series. The Arenisco series was separated based on the occurrence of a water table at 102 to 203 cm (40 to 80 inches).
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/kenedykl...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
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The Alcovy series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils that formed in old valley fill material and in the underlying residuum on uplands in the Piedmont province. Permeability is moderately rapid in the surface and subsurface layers, and slow in the lower part of the subsoil. Slopes are 2 to 10 percent. Near the type location, the mean annual temperature is about 63 degrees F. and the mean annual precipitation is about 47 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Oxyaquic Kanhapludults
The Btx horizons with (30) 40 to 60 percent brittleness would key out as a member of the Fragic as well as the Oxyaquic subgroups of Kanhapludults. The low acreage (less than 1000 acres) does not warrant a dual subgroup proposal.
Thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to more than 60 inches. Depth to the horizons with brittle properties is 20 to 36 inches. Reaction is very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout except where the surface has been limed. Some pedons may contain few to common flakes of mica throughout the solum.
USE AND VEGETATION: Much of these soils have been cleared and used for growing cotton, small grain, corn, hay, and pasture. Most of the acreage has reverted to forests, chiefly loblolly pine. The original forest type is oak-pine.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Piedmont area of Georgia and possibly Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. This series is of small extent; less than 2000 acres.
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The Lloyd series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on uplands in the Southern Piedmont. The soils formed in residuum derived from intermediate and mafic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kanhapludults
Most areas are cleared and used for cultivated crops or pasture. Principal crops are corn, small grain, hay and pasture grasses. Common trees in forested areas are loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, northern red oak, southern red oak, white oak, post oak, hickory, and red maple. Understory plants include dogwood, winged elm, eastern hophornbeam, eastern redbud, eastern red cedar, and sassafras.
These soils are of large extent in the Southern Piedmont in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and possibly Alabama, and Virginia.
These soils were combined with Hiwassee in 1969. Hiwassee series was originally established on high stream terraces. This revision separates the soils formed in residuum as Lloyd on the basis of parent material and depth of Rhodic colors. Terrace Hiwassee soils are dominantly value 3 or less throughout. A proposal to amend the 1996 Keys to Soil Taxonomy involves changing the thickness of the part of the kandic horizon with value of 3 or less to include more soils in the Rhodic subgroup.
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A representative soil profile and landscape of a Plinthosol from Tanzania. (Photos courtesy of Stefaan Dondeyne, revised.)
Plinthosols are soils with plinthite, petroplinthite or pisoliths. Plinthite is a Fe-rich (in some cases also Mn-rich), humus-poor mixture of kaolinitic clay (and other products of strong weathering such as gibbsite) with quartz and other constituents. It usually changes irreversibly to a layer with hard concretions or nodules or to a hardpan on exposure to repeated wetting and drying. Petroplinthite is a continuous or fractured sheet of connected, strongly cemented to indurated concretions or nodules or concentrations in platy, polygonal or reticulate patterns. Pisoliths are discrete, strongly cemented to indurated concretions or nodules. Both petroplinthite and pisoliths develop from plinthite by hardening. Traditional names are Groundwater Laterite Soils and Perched Water Laterite Soils. Many of these soils are known as Plintossolos (Brazil), Sols gris latéritiques (France), Petroferric Kandosols (Australia) and Plinthaquox, Plinthaqualfs, Plinthoxeralfs, Plinthustalfs, Plinthaquults, Plinthohumults, Plinthudults and Plinthustults (United States of America).
Acric (from Latin acer, sharp): having an argic horizon starting ≤ 100 cm from the soil surface and having a CEC (by 1 M NH4OAc, pH 7) of < 24 cmolc kg-1 clay in some part ≤ 50 cm below its upper limit; and having an effective base saturation [exchangeable(Ca + Mg + K + Na) / exchangeable(Ca + Mg + K + Na + Al); exchangeable bases by 1 M NH4OAc (pH 7), exchangeable Al by 1 M KCl (unbuffered)] of < 50% in half or more of the part between 50 and 100 cm from the mineral soil surface or in the lower half of the mineral soil above continuous rock, technic hard material or a cemented or indurated layer starting ≤ 100 cm from the mineral soil surface, whichever is shallower.
An argic horizon (from Latin argilla, white clay) is a subsurface horizon with distinctly higher clay content than the overlying horizon. The textural differentiation may be caused by:
• an illuvial accumulation of clay,
• predominant pedogenetic formation of clay in the subsoil,
• destruction of clay in the surface horizon,
• selective surface erosion of clay,
• upward movement of coarser particles due to swelling and shrinking,
• biological activity, or
• a combination of two or more of these different processes.
For more information about soil classification using the WRB system (World Reference Base for Soil Resources), visit WRB
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.
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A representative soil profile of Kimberson gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, showing the dark gravelly surface horizon and indurated caliche layer below. (Soil Survey of Deaf Smith County, Texas; by Thomas C. Byrd, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Kimberson series consists of soils that are very shallow or shallow, well drained, and moderately permeable above a very slowly permeable petrocalcic horizon. These gravelly or cobbly soils formed in a thin mantle of calcareous, loamy eolian deposits from the Blackwater Draw Formation of Pleistocene age over indurated caliche of Pliocene age. These soils are on nearly level and very gently sloping plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 483 mmm (19 in), and the mean annual air temperature is about 16 degrees C (61 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic, shallow Petrocalcic Calciustolls
Soil moisture: An ustic moisture regime bordering on aridic. The soil moisture control section is dry in some or all parts for more than 180 but less than 220 days, cumulative, in normal years. July through August and December through
February are the driest months. These soils are intermittently moist in September through November and March through June.
Mean annual soil temperature: 15 to 18 degrees C (59 to 64 degrees F).
Depth to petrocalcic horizon: 10 to 51 cm (4 to 20 in).
Solum thickness: 10 to 51 cm (4 to 20 in).
Particle-size control section (weighted average): 15 to 30 percent silicate clay
Coarse fragments: 5 to 35 percent
CEC/clay ratio: more than 0.60
USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used nearly exclusively for livestock grazing. Climax vegetation includes sideoats grama, little bluestem, buffalograss, hairy grama, slim tridens, purple and wright threeawns, bushsunflower, gray goldaster, daleas, gayfeather, plains blackfoot, sundrops,
catclaw, ephedra, hackberry, and javelinabrush. This soil has been correlated to the Very Shallow (R077CY037TX) ecological site in MLRA-77C.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southern High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 77C in LRR H) of western Texas and eastern New Mexico. The series is extensive.
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Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Morley soil series. (Soil Survey of Delaware County, Indiana; by Gary R. Struben, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: A hay field in an area of Morley silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded, on a side slope.
The Morley series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils that are moderately deep to dense till. Morley soils formed in as much as 46 cm (18 inches) of loess and in the underlying clay loam or silty clay loam till. They are on till plains and moraines. Slope ranges from 1 to 18 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 940 mm (37 inches), and mean annual temperature is about 10.6 degrees C (51 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, illitic, mesic Oxyaquic Hapludalfs
Depth to the base of the argillic horizon: 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 inches)
Depth to carbonates: 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 inches)
Depth to densic contact: 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 inches)
Thickness of the loess: 0 to 46 cm (0 to 18 inches)
Particle-size control section: averages 35 to 50 percent clay, 15 to 25 percent sand, and 1 to 5 percent rock fragments
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are used to grow corn, soybeans, and small grain. Some areas are used for hay and pasture, and a few areas are used for woodland. Native vegetation is mixed deciduous hardwood forest.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern Indiana, southern Michigan, northwestern Ohio, eastern Illinois, and southeastern Wisconsin; mainly in MLRAs 111B, 110, and 99, and less extensively in MLRAs 95A, 95B, 97, 98, 108A, 111A, 111C, 111D, 111E, and 115C. The type location is in MLRA 111B. The series is of large extent.
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Aguilita soil profile in naturalized pastureland in an area of Aguilita silty clay loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes (Soil Survey of San Germán Area, Puerto Rico by Jorge L. Lugo-Camacho, Natural Resources Conservation Service).
Landscape: Hills and uplands
Landform: Ridges and hillslopes
Major uses: Hayland and pasture
Elevation: 80 to 1,312 feet
Composition
Aguilita and similar soils: 90 percent
Dissimilar soils: 10 percent
Typical Profile
Surface layer:
0 to 6 inches—brown silty clay loam
Subsoil:
6 to 18 inches—brown silty clay loam that has soft masses of calcium carbonate
18 to 23 inches—brown clay loam that has soft masses of calcium carbonate
Substratum:
23 to 32 inches—pale brown loam that has soft masses and concretions of calcium
carbonate
32 to 60 inches—pale brown loam that has soft masses and concretions of calcium
carbonate
Minor Components
Dissimilar:
• Duey and San Germán soils, which are shallow to fractured limestone bedrock
Similar:
• Pozo Blanco soils, which have a finer textured profile than the Aguilita soil
Soil Properties and Qualities
Depth class: Very deep
Depth to bedrock: More than 80 inches
Parent material: Colluvium and residuum that weathered from soft limestone bedrock
Surface runoff: Medium
Drainage class: Well drained
Permeability: Moderate
Available water capacity: Low or moderate
Flooding: None
Hazard of water erosion: Moderate
Rock fragments in the surface layer: Less than 25 percent, by volume
Shrink-swell potential: Moderate
Natural fertility: Moderate
Content of organic matter in the surface layer: Moderate
Reaction: Slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline
Land Use
Dominant uses: Naturalized pastureland
Other uses: Hayland; pasture
Agricultural Development
Cropland
Suitability: Poorly suited
Management concerns: Erosion; slope
Pasture and hayland
Suitability: Moderately suited
Commonly grown crops: Kleberg’s bluestem
Management concerns: Erosion; slope; available water capacity
Management measures and considerations:
• Erosion is a concern in unprotected areas.
• The moderately steep slopes increase the difficulty of management.
• The low available water capacity may result in lower yields.
• Including grasses and legumes in the cropping system helps to control further erosion.
• Returning crop residue to the soil helps the soil to retain moisture.
• Overgrazed pastures should be reestablished and then protected from further overgrazing.
Naturalized pastureland
Suitability: Moderately suited
Management concerns: Erosion; slope
Management measures and considerations:
• Erosion is a concern in unprotected areas.
• The moderately steep slopes increase the difficulty of management.
• Overgrazed areas should be reestablished and then protected from further overgrazing.
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Soil profile: Weesatche sandy clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. The depth to secondary carbonates typically occurs within a depth of 45 to 100 centimeters (18 to 40 inches). (Soil Survey of Goliad County, Texas; by Jonathan K. Wiedenfeld, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Landscape: Good quality hay will provide nutrition for livestock in the winter. This field is on an area of Weesatche sandy clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. Weesatche soils are mainly used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat.
The Weesatche series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in calcareous loamy residuum weathered from sandstone of Pliocene age. These soils are on nearly level to gently sloping summits, backslopes, and footslopes of interfluves. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 711 mm (28 in) and the mean annual air temperature is about 22.2 degrees C (72 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, hyperthermic Typic Argiustolls
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 23 degrees C (72 to 74 degrees F)
Depth to argillic: 15 to 76 cm (6 to 30 in)
Depth to calcic: 64 to 203 cm (25 to 80 in)
Depth to secondary carbonates: 51 to 203 cm (20 to 80 in)
Coarse fragments: 0 to 15 percent siliceous gravels
Particle-size control section (weighted average): clay content: 20 to 32 percent
USE AND VEGETATION: Mostly used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. The native plants are sideoats grama, little bluestem, threeawn, Texas wintergrass, and broomweed. Woody species are blackbrush, agarito, live oak, mesquite, and huisache. Some areas are used for crop production with crops being grain sorghum and corn. Minor areas are used for forage production.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northern and Central Rio Grande Plain, Texas; LRR I; MLRA 83A; large extent. This is a benchmark series.
These soils were formerly included in the Goliad series.
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SOIL TAXONOMY and Soil Orders
All of the keys in Soil Taxonomy are designed in such a way that the user can determine the correct classification of a soil by going through the keys systematically. The user must start at the beginning of the “Key to Soil Orders” and eliminate, one by one, all classes that include criteria that do not fit the soil in question. The soil belongs to the first class listed for which it meets all the required criteria. In classifying a specific soil, the user of soil taxonomy begins by checking through the "Key to Soil Orders" to determine the name of the first order that, according to the criteria listed, includes the soil in question.
The next step is to go to the page indicated to find the “Key to Suborders” of that particular order. Then the user systematically goes through the key to identify the suborder that includes the soil, i.e., the first in the list for which it meets all the required criteria. The same procedure is used to find the great group class of the soil in the “Key to Great Groups” of the identified suborder. Likewise, going through the “Key to Subgroups” of that great group, the user selects as the correct subgroup name the name of the first taxon for which the soil meets all of the required criteria.
The family level is determined, in a similar manner, after the subgroup has been determined. The family, however,
typically has more than one component, and therefore the entire chapter must be used. The keys to control sections for classes used as components of a family must be used to determine the control section before use of the keys to classes.
To view or download a pdf file of the first edition of "Soil Taxonomy", click Soil Taxonomy, 1st Edition, 1975.
To view or download historical versions of "Soil Taxonomy", the KEYS, or other realted files, click HERE
For more information about the U.S. Soil Classification System and to view or download "Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999." click HERE.
To download or order a hard copy of the latest version of "Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999", click HERE.
For more information about the history of soil taxonomic committees, click HERE.
Soil profile: A representative soil profile of the Tuborcio series. (Soil Survey of Pinnacles National Monument, California; by Ken Oster, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
The Tuborcio series consists of deep to soft bedrock, well drained soils that formed in residuum weathered from granite. The Tuborcio soils are on backslopes of hills. Slopes range from 2 to 50 percent. The mean annual precipitation is about 17 inches (432 millimeters) and the mean annual air temperature is about 61 degrees F (16 degrees C).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Ultic Palexerolls
Depth to bedrock: more than 60 inches (150 centimeters).
Mean annual soil temperature: 60 to 63 degrees F (16 to 17 degrees C).
Soil moisture control section: dry in all parts from about June 15 to November 15 (150 days), and moist in all parts from about January 15 to May 1 (105 days).
Particle size control section: 45 to 55 percent clay, 5 to 35 percent rock fragments from granite. .
Base saturation by ammonium acetate: 90 to 100%
USE AND VEGETATION: This soil is used for watershed, wildlife habitat and recreation. Vegetation is blue oak with an understory of grasses or chamise chaparral.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: San Benito and Monterey Counties, California in MLRA 15 -- Central California Coast Range. These soils are of small extent.
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A representative soil profile of the Al Ain series. These soils are very deep and formed in gravelly alluvial deposits. (NE003) UAE.
Taxonomic classification: Typic Torriorthents, sandy-skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic
Diagnostic subsurface horizon described in this profile is: Calcic horizon from 115 to 200 cm.
Typic Torriorthents are fixed on the driest Torriorthents. Typic Torriorthents are extensive soils in the intermountain States of the United States. Most of them have moderate or strong slopes and are used only for grazing. Others that have gentle slopes are irrigated. The gently sloping soils are mostly on fans or piedmont slopes where the sediments are recent and have little organic carbon.
Rock fragments in the particle-size control section are predominantly gravel, with less than 15% cobbles and stones. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) is less than 15% in layers above 100 cm. The particle-size control section has less than 30% particles that are very fine sand and finer. The pH (1:1) ranges from 7.0 to 8.6 throughout the profile. The EC (1:1) is generally less than 1.0 dS/m in all horizons, but may be higher in some areas that have been irrigated. A desert pavement of fine and medium gravel in many areas covers 5 to 65% of the soil surface. A few areas may have a thin eolian sand mantle up to about 25 cm thick. The size of the rock fragments on and in the soil is predominantly gravel, but may have a few cobbles and stones, especially in areas close to the mountains. The size of rock fragments generally decreases as distance from the mountains increases.
Profile of Altuda very cobbly silt loam, in an area of Altuda-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes. The parent material is coarsely fractured limestone bedrock. (Soil Survey of Big Bend National Park, Texas by James Gordon, Soil Scientist, James A. Douglass, Soil Scientist, and Dr. Lynn E. Loomis, Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Altuda-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes
Map Unit Setting
Major land resource area (MLRA): MLRA 42—Southern Desertic Basins, Plains, and Mountains
Elevation: 4,645 to 5,835 feet
Mean annual precipitation: 14 to 20 inches
Mean annual air temperature: 59 to 61 degrees F
Frost-free period: 180 to 220 days
Map Unit Composition--
Altuda and similar soils: 60 percent
Rock outcrop: 30 percent
Dissimilar minor components: 10 percent
Minor components:
Cienega soils—5 percent; not hydric
Crossen soils—5 percent; not hydric
Description of Altuda soils
Soil taxonomic classification: Loamy-skeletal, carbonatic, thermic Lithic Calciustolls
Setting--
Landscape: Mountains
Landform: Mountain slopes, ridges
Landform position (two-dimensional): Summit, shoulder, backslope
Slope: 20 to 70 percent
Down-slope shape: Linear
Across-slope shape: Convex
Representative aspect: Southeast
Aspect range: All aspects
Soil temperature class: Thermic
Soil temperature regime: Thermic
Soil moisture class: Ustic
Properties and Qualities--
Runoff class: Very high
Parent material: Colluvium and residuum weathered from limestone bedrock
Depth to restrictive feature: 6 to 19 inches to lithic bedrock
Frequency of flooding: None
Frequency of ponding: None
Depth to water table: More than 72 inches
Drainage class: Well drained
Shrink-swell potential: Moderate (about 4.5 LEP)
Salinity maximum: Not saline
Sodicity maximum: Not sodic
Calcium carbonate maximum: 55
Available water capacity: Very low (about 0.9 inches)
Gypsum maximum: None
Interpretive Groups--
Land capability subclass (nonirrigated): 7s
Hydric soil rating: No
Hydrologic soil group: D
Ecological site name and identification: Limestone Hill and Mountain, Mixed Prairie (R042XE278TX)
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