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A representative soil profile of the Finisk series in an area of improved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in silty material over non-calcareous gravels.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=05...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Brown Alluvial Soils. Alluvial soils are formed in deposits of river, lake, estuarine or marine alluvium. The majority of series described are associated with recent rivers and streams. The lake alluviums found in Ireland are mostly associated with depressions at the sites of glacial or post-glacial lakes.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
The surface stones are covered with desert varnish while the subsoil boulders are not coated. The Bih series is a very deep soil formed in sandy alluvial deposits with a large content of gravel, cobbles, and stones. (NE004) Taxonomic classification: Typic Torriorthents, sandy-skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic
www.flickr.com/photos/jakelley/50698546608/in/album-72157...
Desert varnish or rock varnish is an orange-yellow to black coating found on exposed rock surfaces in arid environments. Desert varnish is usually less than about one milimeter thick and represents nanometer-scale layering. Rock rust and desert patina are other terms which are also used for the condition, but less often.
Desert varnish forms only on physically stable rock surfaces that are no longer subject to frequent precipitation, fracturing or wind abrasion. The varnish is primarily composed of particles of clay along with iron and manganese oxides. There is also a host of trace elements and almost always some organic matter. The color of the varnish varies from shades of brown to black.
For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...
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-...
Northeast Regional Soil Collegiate Competition ⛏📋🐾 #HuskyUnleashed #BloomOnward #EGGS #EnvironmentalGeoscience #SoilScience #geology #dirt
A representative soil profile and landscape of the Maplestead 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 dominantly brownish or reddish subsoils and no prominent mottling or greyish colours (gleying) above 40 cm depth. They are developed mainly on permeable materials at elevations below about 300 m.0.D. Most are in agricultural use.
They are loamy or clayey with an ordinary clay-enriched subsoil. They formed in light loamy drift with siliceous stones.
They are classified as Haplic Luvisols by the WRB soil classification system. (www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf)
For more information about this soil, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/education-and-teaching-materi...
The color of soil 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.
The Tonka series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly permeable soils that formed in local alluvium over till or glaciolacustrine deposits. These soils are in closed basins and depressions on till and glacial lake plains and have slopes of 0 to 1 percent. Mean annual air temperature is 42 degrees F, and mean annual precipitation is 20 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, frigid Argiaquic Argialbolls
They are widely distributed on the glaciated plains of North Dakota, northeastern South Dakota, and western Minnesota. The series is extensive.
This soil is on gravelly alluvial fans and plains. Drainage and saturated hydraulic conductivity class. This soil is excessively drained. Median measured saturated hydraulic conductivity class for the surface layer is high.
This soil is mostly used for rangeland grazing for camels. In areas where water is available, small farms have been developed. Where water resources have been depleted, cultivated lands are idle and returning to natural vegetation. Commonly described vegetation species include Acacia tortilis, Haloxylon salicornicum and Rhazya stricta. Vegetation cover is about 1 to 8%.
This soil is on gravelly alluvial fans and plains in a band from south to north along the west side of the mountains. The main distinguishing feature of this soil is the high gravel content and sandy textures throughout the profile. The desert pavement of surface gravel provides some protection against wind erosion, but if disturbed, wind erosion can become a problem. The high gravel content and limited water holding capacity presents significant limitations for agricultural use. In addition, salinity and sodium levels in the subsoil can be a problem, depending on the crops grown. Soil strength is high due to the gravelly nature of the soil and it can provide a good surface for building sites and roads.
Plate 12: Typical soil profile and associated landscape for the Ghuweifat series, saline phase (soil AD212).
Taxonomic classification: Leptic Haplogypsids, sandy, mixed, hyperthermic
The Ghuweifat series saline phase is a very deep loamy soil overlying bedrock (typically siltstone or claystone). It is a phase of the Ghuweifat series in that at least one soil horizon presents slightly elevated EC1:1 values suggesting some limited accumulation of secondary salts. The soils are typically moderately well to excessively drained. They occur on flats and gentle slopes within level to gently 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 include Haloxylon salicornicum, Zygophyllum spp. and occasional Stipagrostis plumosa.
This soil is common throughout the As Sila’ sub-area and the northern part of the Ghayathi subarea. Scattered sites have also been described in the western part of the Al Ain sub-area.
The main feature of this soil is the deep, sandy profile that contains accumulations of gypsum mostly from the soil surface. This profile also contains a lithic contact at depth but this is not diagnostic for this series. The soil also shows evidence of slightly elevated EC1:1 levels.
The shallow depth to, and quantity of, gypsum are the main issues affecting management for irrigated agriculture. Under irrigation subsidence may be a problem as gypsum is leached from the profile. The presence of gypsum and the slightly elevated EC readings also suggest that salinity might be a problem. This soil is unsuitable for irrigated agriculture.
Pachic (subgroup).—A taxonomic term used at the subgroup level (an extragrade) for soils with a mollic, melanic, or umbric epipedon that is 50 cm or more thick or, in some cold soils, 40 cm or more thick. These soils commonly are in landscape positions that are fairly stable and have well developed subsoil horizons, such as argillic or calcic horizons. The thick epipedon is thought to be the result of factors causing relatively deep natural incorporation of organic matter into the subsoil rather than the incremental accumulation of fresh sediment to the surface layer. See Cumulic subgroup.
Figure 79.—Soil profile and landscape of Dolason soil (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Pachic Humixerept). The Dolason series consists of very deep, well drained soils formed in colluvium and residuum derived from siltstone, mudstone, and sandstone. Dolason soils are on mountains and have slopes of 9 to 75 percent. Elevations are 153 to 1032 meters (0 to 3390 feet). The umbric epipedon ranges from 50 to 100 centimeters thick. This soil is used for livestock grazing, recreation, wildlife habitat, and watershed.
A representative soil profile of a Sasquatch soil. These soils form in colluvium and residuum derived from sandstone and mudstone. The thick, dark surface is the dominant feature of soils that form under a thick cover of swordfern. (Soil Survey of Redwood National and State Parks, California; by Joseph P. Seney and Alaina C. Frazier, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and James H. Popenoe, Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Retired)
The Sasquatch series consists of very deep, well drained soils that formed in colluvium and residuum derived from sandstone and mudstone. Sasquatch soils are on mountains and hills and have slopes of 5 to 75 percent. The mean annual precipitation is approximately 2030 millimeters (80 inches) and the mean annual temperature is approximately 11 degrees C (52 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, isomesic Typic Palehumults
Soil moisture: The soil is usually moist in all parts in the soil moisture control section in most years, but becomes dry in the upper part for a time less than 30 days cumulative from approximately September 15 to October 15 in most years. The soils have an udic moisture regime.
Soil temperature: The mean annual soil temperature at 50 centimeters is 10 to 13 degrees C (50 to 55 degrees F). The difference between mean summer and mean winter temperature is 2 to 4 degrees C. The soils have an isomesic temperature regime.
Base Saturation: between 15 and 35 percent by sum of cations at 125 centimeters below the upper boundary of the argillic horizon.
Reaction: moderately to very strongly acid throughout.
Organic matter: greater than 0.9 percent organic carbon in the upper 15 centimeters of the argillic horizon.
Umbric Epipedon: 25 to 110 centimeters
Particle-Size Control Section (weighted average):
Rock fragments: 0 to 35 percent gravel, 0 to 7 percent cobbles, and 0 to 20 percent paragravels.
Clay content: 27 to 35 percent.
USE AND VEGETATION: This soil has been used for commercial timber production, wildlife, and watershed. Natural vegetation includes redwood, Douglas-fir, tanoak, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry, redwood sorrel, and sword fern.
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/CA6...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/S/SASQUATCH.html
For acreage and geographic distribution, visit:
Desert varnish or rock varnish is an orange-yellow to black coating found on exposed rock surfaces in arid environments. Desert varnish is usually around one micrometer thick and represents nanometre-scale layering. Rock rust and desert patina are other terms which are also used for the condition, but less often.
Desert varnish forms only on physically stable rock surfaces that are no longer subject to frequent precipitation, fracturing or wind abrasion. The varnish is primarily composed of particles of clay along with iron and manganese oxides. There is also a host of trace elements and almost always some organic matter. The color of the varnish varies from shades of brown to black.
There is currently very little runoff from the Hajar Mountains, except in areas to the north and east, where the mountain front is close to the sea. However, the alluvial plains are evidence of former wet periods when considerably more water must have flowed from the mountains, carrying sediments and depositing them extensively over the western half of the Northern Emirates.
For more information about soil classification in the UAE, visit:
vdocument.in/united-arab-emirates-keys-to-soil-taxonomy.h...
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:
Typic Haplocryand medial, amorphic), Iceland — This deep Andisol profile (Thingvallasveit soil) has formed in volcanic ash and eolian material in southwestern Iceland. The soil lacks distinct horizonation. Soil structure is weak and the volcanic ash particles are mostly silt- and sand-sized, making these soils highly susceptible to wind erosion. However as is the case with many Andisols, organic matter levels are relatively high — the top 60 cm of this profile contains 70-80 g/kg organic carbon. (Image from University of Idaho) (Notes and photo downloaded from: www.uidaho.edu/cals/soil-orders/andisols)
Haplocryands are the Cryands that do not have a melanic epipedon or a layer that meets the depth, thickness, and organic-carbon requirements for a melanic epipedon. They have, on undried samples, a 1500 kPa water retention of less than 100 percent, by weighted average, throughout 60 percent or more of the upper 60 cm of the andic materials. They also have a 1500 kPa water retention of 30 percent or more on undried samples or of 15 percent or more on air-dried samples, by weighted average, throughout 60 percent or more of the upper 60 cm of the andic materials. Characteristically, Haplocryands have a thin O horizon, an umbric epipedon, and a cambic horizon. The Haplocryands in the United States generally developed in late-Pleistocene or Holocene deposits. Most formed under coniferous forest vegetation.
Cryands are the more or less well drained Andisols of cold regions. These soils are moderately extensive. They formed in the western part of North America and the northeastern part of Asia above 49o north latitude and in mountains south of that latitude. Most of the soils formed under coniferous forest vegetation. Characteristically, Cryands have a thin O horizon and a cambic horizon. The epipedon ranges from ochric to melanic. The Cryands in the United States generally developed in late-Pleistocene or Holocene deposits.
For additional information about U.S. Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...
A representative soil profile of the Callan series in an area of improved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in loamy material over gneiss and schist bedrock.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=06...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Humic Groundwater Gleys. Humic Groundwater Gleys have evidence of gleying within 40 cm and humose topsoil.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. They are deep to saprolite and very deep to bedrock. They formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults
For more information about Cecil soils, visit:
casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/sde/?series=cecil#osd
NC State University research Farm:
cals.ncsu.edu/research/research-facilities/off-campus-res...
A Udic-Orthic Primosols and landscape. These soils distribute in the humid regions of temperate, subtropical, and tropical areas and are mainly on the top ,steep slope or eroded sites of hills. They are developed on residual parent materials derived from a variety of weathered rocks. The climatic conditions of their distribution areas differ greatly from each other, resulting in various soil moisture regimes: udic and perudic, or various soil temperature regimes: frigic, mesic, thermic and hyperthermic. They are mostly covered with trees and grass shrub. (Photos and notes courtesy of China Soils Museum, Guangdong Institute of World Soil Resources; with revision.)
In Chinese Soil Taxonomy, Primosols are recent soils with no diagnostic horizons or only an ochric epipedon. In Soil Taxonomy these soils are mostly Entisols or some Gelisols.
For additional information about this soil and the Soils Museum, visit:
www.giwsr.com/en/article/index/201
For additional information about Soil Taxonomy, visit:
Soil profile: A Calcic, Grey Sodosol from the Balliang area of Australia. Original notes and photos provided by the State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) with revision.
Sodosols have a strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and subsoil (B) horizons and the subsoil horizons are sodic. Using the Australian Soil Classification, Sodosols can be grouped further (Suborder) based on the color of the upper 20 cm of the subsoil i.e. red, brown, yellow, grey and black. These can be further differentiated based on subsoil characteristics (Great Groups) such as the level of sodicity (in the upper B horizon) and the presence of carbonate or lime (Subgroup).
For more information about these soils, visit;
vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/portregn.nsf/pages/ppw...
In soil taxonomy, these soils are commonly Alfisols or Aridisols. For more information about Soil Taxonomy, visit;
Pedestals capped by plinthite nodules, ironstone concretions, or quartz pebbles in a severely eroded plinthite 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
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 a plinthic horizon, visit;
www.researchgate.net/publication/242649722_Rationale_for_...
or;
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S00167061220043...
A representative soil profile of the Knockshigowna series in an area of improved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in loamy material over lithoskeletal shale or slate bedrock.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=04...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Humic Lithosols (shallow or extremely gravelly soils). Humic Lithosols have a humose surface horizon.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
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A soil profile of a Udivitrand in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It has a dark ochric epipedon about
10 cm thick underlain by a slightly reddened cambic horizon that extends to a depth of about 85 cm. The soil formed in a mixture of washed-in deposits of volcanic ash and loamy sediments. It has a significant content of small particles of volcanic glass (visible
under magnification). (Soil Survey Staff. 2015. Illustrated guide to Soil Taxonomy. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska)
Udivitrands have a udic moisture regime. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year. Characteristically, these soils have an ochric
(typically thin and/or light-colored) epipedon and a cambic (minimal soil development) subsoil horizon. Some have an argillic (clay accumulation) subsoil horizon. Most of the Udivitrands in the United States developed in Holocene deposits under coniferous forest vegetation.
For additional information about soil classification, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...
A representative soil profile of the Greenane series in an area of improved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in loamy drift with limestones.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=06...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Typical Undifferentiated Gleys. These soils have gleyed sub-surface horizons, displayed by prominent mottling or uniformly grey subsoils within 40 cm depth.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
The anhydritic horizon is a horizon in which anhydrite has accumulated through neoformation or transformation to a significant extent. It typically occurs as a subsurface horizon. It commonly occurs in conjunction with a salic horizon.
Anhydrite is a mineral—anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO4. Distinctly developed crystals are somewhat rare, the mineral usually presenting the form of cleavage masses. The hardness is 3.5 and the specific gravity 2.9. The color is white, sometimes greyish, bluish, or purple. When exposed to water, anhydrite readily transforms to the more commonly occurring gypsum, (CaSO4·2H2O) by the absorption of water. This transformation is reversible, with gypsum or calcium sulfate hemihydrate forming anhydrite by heating to ~200°C under normal atmospheric conditions. Anhydrite is commonly associated with calcite and halite.
Identification of anhydrite (75-135 cm) is important when determining soil strength. Soils high in anhydrite exhibit fluidity and lack soil strength and load bearing capacity. Moisture content strongly influences soil’s consistence and a water table is commonly within the soil profile. The manner in which specimens of soil fail under increasing force ranges widely and usually is highly dependent on water state. To test for fluidity, a handful of soil material is squeezed in the hand. For moderately fluid materials after exerting full pressure, most flows through the fingers; a small residue remains in the palm of the hand.
For example, if some of the soil flows between the fingers with difficulty, the nvalue is between 0.7 and less than 1.0 (slightly fluid manner of failure class); if the soil flows easily between the fingers, the nvalue is 1 or more (moderately fluid or very fluid manner of failure class) depending on what remains in the palm of the hand.
A representative soil profile of the uneroded Taihape series from New Zealand. (Photo provided by NZ Soils.co.nz and Waikato Regional Council.) For more information about New Zealand soils, visit;
Taihape soils from 0 - 17 cm; Very dark grey silt loam, moderately pedal, medium polyhedral macrofabric. In the New Zealand Soil Classification system these soils are Mottled Argillic Pallic Soils. For more information about the New Zealand Soil Classification system, visit;
soils.landcareresearch.co.nz/describing-soils/nzsc/
In U.S. Soil Taxonomy, these soils are Aquic Haplustalfs. These soils are like Typic Haplustalfs, but they have redox depletions with low chroma within 75 cm of the mineral soil surface that are caused by periods of wetness. These soils are in nearly level areas and may or may not have calcic horizons or relatively low base saturation. They are locally important in the central part of the Southern United States. They are used as cropland or for grazing.
Haplustalfs are the Ustalfs that have an argillic horizon. Haplustalfs are commonly in areas of relatively recent erosional surfaces or deposits, most of them late Pleistocene in age. Some of the soils have a monsoon climate. Others have two more or less marked dry seasons during the year.
For additional information about U.S. Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...
A representative soil profile of the series in an area of improved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in fine loamy drift with limestones.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=11...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Stagnic Calcareous Brown Earths. These soils have stagnic properties derived from a slowly permeable sub-surface horizon and a calcareous sub-surface horizon starting within 40 cm and are formed in calcareous parent materials.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
A representative soil profile of the Kellistown series in an area of unimproved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in coarse loamy drift with limestones.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=10...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Typical Luvisols (soils with clay enriched subsoil).
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
This soil has a very thick, very dark brown to black mollic epipedon about 120 cm thick. The right side of the profile has been smoothed.
Illustrated Guide to Soil Taxonomy (p. 4-335)
A representative soil profile of a Red Chromosol New South Wales. Also known as red brown earths, red podzolic soils or red duplex soils, Red Chromosols feature a strong texture contrast between the A and B horizons. They are distinguished from other texture contrast soils by not being strongly acidic like Kurosols or sodic like Sodosols in their upper B horizons. In their natural condition, these soils have favourable physical and chemical properties, but many now have hardsetting surface layers with structural degradation and acidification problems caused by longterm cultivation.
They occupy some 20% of the State and are used for grazing, cropping and vineyards. They have been described as ‘the workhorse of agriculture’ in New South Wales.
For more information about these soils, visit;
soilnews.feedsynews.com/each-state-given-its-own-soil-emb...
For more information about the Australian Soil Classification System, visit;
www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/asc_re_on_line_V2/soilhome.htm
For more information about Soil Taxonomy, visit:
The Twentieth Annual Kentucky Commodity Conference held at the University Plaza Holiday Inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Friday, January 17, 2014 concluded with an awards banquet honoring Kentucky commodity contest winners
This soil is on level to gently undulating alluvial fans and plains. This soil is well drained. Median measured saturated hydraulic conductivity class for the surface layer is high.
This soil is used mostly for rangeland grazing, but where water is available, small farms have been developed. Commonly described vegetation species include Haloxylon salicornicum, Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis juliflora, and Zygophyllum simplex. Vegetation cover is about 5 to 15%.
This soil occurs is on alluvial fans and plains, mostly in the northern part of the soil survey area. The main distinguishing feature of this soil is the loamy over sandy texture and the presence of secondary gypsum in the surface and upper part of the subsoil. Although the soil has somewhat limited water holding capacity, it can be farmed successfully where quality irrigation water is available. Also, due to the presence of gypsum, subsidence can be a hazard with continued irrigation.
Plowpans are subsurface horizons or soil layers having a high bulk density and a lower total porosity than the soil directly above or below it as a result of pressure applied by normal tillage operations, such as plows or other tillage implements. Plow pans may also be called pressure pans, tillage pans, or traffic pans. They are not cemented by organic matter or chemicals and are the result of pressure exerted by humans, whereas hard pans occur naturally. Both conditions are however considered densic material.
Densic materials are relatively (pedogenically) unaltered materials. They do not meet the requirements for any other named diagnostic horizons or any other diagnostic soil characteristics. They have a noncemented rupture-resistance class and the bulk density or the organization is such that roots cannot enter, except in cracks. These are mostly earthy materials, such as till, volcanic mudflows, and some mechanically compacted materials (i.e., plowpan or mine spoils). Some noncemented rocks can be densic materials if they are dense or resistant enough to keep roots from entering, except in cracks.
An horizon suffix of "d" is used with master horizons to identify densic materials, e.g., "Apd". It should be noted that surface horizon(s) once disturbed are designated as an "A" even if the horizon/layer was originally an E, B, or C, etc.
The soils in this area had been historically cultivated, possibly for more than 100 years.
In many soils that are used for rice production the plowpan is created in order to perch water, facilitating the drowning of unwanted vegetation.
www.flickr.com/photos/jakelley/50691605023/in/album-72157...
For more information about describing and sampling soils, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/field...
or Chapter 3 of the Soil Survey manual:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/The-Soil-Su...
For additional information on "How to Use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils" (video reference), visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_hQaXV7MpM
For additional information about soil classification using USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/keys-...
or;
www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-...
The Zenas series consists of deep, well drained soils on hills and sinkholes. They formed in 56 to 102 cm (22 to 40 inches) of loess and the underlying residuum from limestone. Slopes range from 2 to 12 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 1067 mm (42 inches) and mean annual temperature is about 13 degrees C (55 degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludalfs
Depth to the base of the argillic horizon: 102 to 152 cm (40 to 60 inches)
Depth to a lithic contact: 102 to 152 cm (40 to 60 inches)
Thickness of the loess: 56 to 102 cm (22 to 40 inches)
USE AND VEGETATION: Nearly all of the soil is used for growing crops and pasture. The native vegetation is mixed hardwood forest.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: This soil is of small extent in MLRA 114A. Series is correlated as Crider variant in the 1985 Soil Survey of Jefferson County, Indiana.
For additional information about the survey area, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/indiana/jennin...
For a detailed soil description, visit:
soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/Z/ZENAS.html
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A representative soil profile of the Eskaheen series in an area of unimproved grassland from Ireland. These soils formed in loamy drift with igneous and metamorphic stones.
For detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=11...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are Gleyic Brown Earths. These soils display gleyic features due to the presence of a shallow fluctuating groundwater table.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/downloads/SIS_Final_Technical_Report...
A representative soil profile of the Gortaloughhane series in an area of cleared forestry from Ireland. These soils formed in sandy material over sandstone bedrock.
Fhttp://gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=0860GGor detailed information about this soil, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/rep_profile_sheet.php?series_code=08...
For information about the soil series of Ireland, visit;
gis.teagasc.ie/soils/soilguide.php
In the Irish soil classification system these soils are HumoFerric Podzols. Podzols have a dark, humose or peaty surface horizon and an albic horizon (E) overlying a podzolic B horizon (Bs). If the topsoil is peaty it should be < 40 cm thick.
For more information about describing and classifying soils using the Irish Soils Classification System, visit:
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The Tonka series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly permeable soils that formed in local alluvium over till or glaciolacustrine deposits. These soils are in closed basins and depressions on till and glacial lake plains and have slopes of 0 to 1 percent. Mean annual air temperature is 42 degrees F, and mean annual precipitation is 20 inches.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, frigid Argiaquic Argialbolls
Depth to carbonates commonly is 28 to 40 inches but ranges from 20 to more than 60 inches. The depth to the Bt horizon ranges from 12 to 28 inches. The soil commonly is free of rock fragments, but in some pedons the lower part of the solum and the substratum contain pebbles. Some pedons have surface stones.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Poorly drained. Slowly permeable. Runoff is ponded. A seasonal high water table is at a depth of 0.5 foot above the surface to 1 foot below the surface at some time during the period April through June.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for small grains, hay and pasture. Native vegetation is tall grasses, sedges and rushes.
For a detailed description, visit:
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Plate 2: Typical soil profile and associated landscape for the Markiya series (soil AD202).
Taxonomic classification: Lithic Haplocalcids, loamy, carbonatic, hyperthermic
The Markiya series is a shallow loamy soil overlying bedrock (typically siltstone or claystone). The soils are typically well to somewhat excessively drained. They occur on flats and gentle slopes within level to gently undulating plains. They are formed in situ on underlying fine grained Tertiary sediments mixed with eolian sands.
These soils are used for rangeland grazing of camels though vegetation cover is typically less than 5%. Common vegetation species recorded are Haloxylon salicornicum.
This soil is common in the western part of the Ghayathi sub-area.
The main feature of this soil is the shallow depth (<50cm) to a lithic contact. The soil material above the hardpan is loamy, shows evidence of the accumulation of carbonates and is non-gypsic. The shallow depth to the hardpan layer is the main restriction for this soil. This restricts water movement, moisture retention and presents a barrier to root development further restricting the availability of nutrients. This soil is considered unsuitable for irrigated agriculture.
This photo accompanies Figure 19.—Indicator A14, Alaska Redox) [Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States].
This soil has a gleyed matrix with dominant color of N 7/ and 10Y 7/, with 10 percent or more distinct or prominent redox concentrations occurring as pore linings (and soft masses) with value and chroma of 4 or more. The layer occurs at a depth ≤30 cm (12 inches) from the soil surface.
In a soil layer that has been reduced, one of the first areas where oxygen will be reintroduced is along pores and the channels of live roots. As oxidation occurs in these areas, (with value and chroma of 4 or more) will be apparent along the pores and linings. These will stand out in contrast to the matrix color of the overall soil layer. First, determine if the dominant color(s) of the soil layer match the chroma 3 or less or gley colors indicated. Then break open pieces of the soil and look for reddish orange redox concentrations along pores and root linings. The occurrence of these concentrations indicates that the soil has been reduced during periods of saturation and is now oxidizing in a drier state.
The Misekhin series is a very deep soil formed in loamy marine deposits. This soil is very deep to a water table. (UAE (NE028).
Taxonomic classification: Gypsic Haplosalids, coarse-silty, gypsic, hyperthermic
Diagnostic subsurface horizons described in this profile are: Gypsic horizon, 0 to 120 cm; and Salic horizon 35 to 200 cm.
Gypsic Haplosalids are the Haplosalids that have a gypsic horizon with its upper boundary within 100 cm of the soil surface.
The pH (1:1) ranges from 7.0 to 8.4 throughout the profile. The EC (1:1) ranges mostly from 2.0 to 30.0 throughout. However, a subhorizon 15 cm or more thick with EC (1:1) of 17.0 or more is in each profile. Pieces of shell fragments range from 0 to 40% throughout.
The A horizon ranges from 15 to 30 cm thick. It has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma 3 to 5. It is fine gypsum material, coarse gypsum material, or it is gypsiferous very fine sandy loam or gypsiferous loam. Gypsum content is generally in the form of fine to coarse crystals and ranges from 15 to 60%.
The B horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 8, and chroma of 2 to 4. It is very fine sandy loam or loam, including gypsiferous texture modifiers. Weighted average gypsum content above 100 cm is 15 to 40%, and generally decreases with depth. Below 100 cm it may be less than 1%. The B horizon may be very weakly cemented or weakly cemented by gypsum above 100 cm. However, roots appear to be able to penetrate with a spacing of less than 10 cm.
This soil is on level to gently undulating alluvial fans and plains. This soil is well drained. Median measured saturated hydraulic conductivity class for the surface
layer is high.
This soil is used mostly for rangeland grazing, but where water is available, small farms have been developed. Commonly described vegetation species include Acacia tortilis, Euphorbia larica, Haloxylon salicornicum, and Pulicaria glutinosa. Vegetation cover is about 1 to 8%.
This soil occurs is on alluvial fans and plains, mostly in the southern part of the soil survey area, but can be found in other places throughout the alluvial plains west of the mountains.
The main distinguishing feature of this soil is the loamy texture and the presence of secondary gypsum in the subsoil. Although the soil has somewhat limited water holding capacity, it can be farmed successfully where quality irrigation water is available. Care is needed to manage the inherent salinity of this soil. Due to the presence of gypsum, subsidence can be a hazard with continued irrigation.
A representative soil profile of the Sugargrove series.
The Sugargrove series consists of moderately deep to deep, well drained soils on uplands. They formed in residuum weathered from interbedded siltstone, limestone, and shale. Slopes range from 2 to 25 percent.
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludults
Solum thickness ranges from 25 to 55 inches. Depth to soft bedrock ranges from 20 to 60 inches. Depth to hard bedrock is 40 inches or more. Most pedons have a Cr horizon, commonly between 24 and 50 inches, above hard siltstone or less commonly limestone bedrock. Reaction is strongly acid or very strongly acid. Content of rock fragments range from 10 to 35 percent in A, E, and upper part of the Bt horizons and from 15 to 60 or more percent in the lower part of the Bt and C horizons. Most pedons have transition horizons with colors and texture similar to adjacent horizons.
USE AND VEGETATION: About one-half of the acreage is cleared and used mainly for pasture. The remainder is in oak-hickory forest.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: The Highland Rim in Tennessee and possibly the Pennyroyal in Kentucky. The area is of moderate extent.
For additional information about U.S. Soil Taxonomy, visit:
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This soil is in wadis and on alluvial plains throughout much of the area. This soil is somewhat excessively drained. Median measured saturated hydraulic conductivity class for the surface layer is high.
This soil is mostly used for rangeland grazing for camels. A few areas are developed for agriculture or are smoothed and leveled for building site development. Commonly described vegetation species include Calotropis procera, Haloxylon salicornicum, and Prosopis cineraria. Vegetation cover is about 1 to 8%.
This soil occurs in wadis and on alluvial plains throughout the western two-thirds of the soil survey area. The main distinguishing feature of this soil is the thick stratified sandy and loamy alluvium. It has limited water and nutrient holding capacity and is subject to wind erosion. Where water is available, this soil has good potential for agriculture. Where this soil is in wadis it may be subject to rare flood events.
A representative soil profile of a Lithic Eutrudept from the Maramures Mountains along the Ukraine-Rumania border, Ukraine. (Photo provided by P. Samonil.)
These soils have an ochric epipedon and a lithic contact within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface. They are of small extent in the United States. They are widely distributed. The largest concentration is in the Northeastern States. The native vegetation consists mostly of mixed forest. Most of these soils are used as forest. A few of the less sloping soils have been cleared and are used as pasture.
Eutrudepts are the base-rich Udepts of humid regions. Many developed in Holocene or late-Pleistocene deposits. Some of the soils that have steep slopes formed in older deposits. The parent materials commonly are calcareous sediments or basic sedimentary rocks. The vegetation was mostly deciduous hardwoods, but the gently sloping soils are now cultivated and many of the steeply sloping soils are used as pasture.
For more information about soils and the Michigan State University-Department of Geography, visit:
project.geo.msu.edu/soilprofiles/
For additional information about soil classification, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...
Soil profile: A Endohypersodic, Epipedal, Black Vertosol. Original notes and photos provided by the State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) with revision.
Landscape: A level plain (0-1% slope) within the Bass River Plain (back swamp). Original vegetation included Melaleuca sp. These soils formed in Quaternary swamp deposits.
Sodosols have a strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and subsoil (B) horizons and the subsoil horizons are sodic. Using the Australian Soil Classification, Sodosols can be grouped further (Suborder) based on the color of the upper 20 cm of the subsoil i.e. red, brown, yellow, grey and black. These can be further differentiated based on subsoil characteristics (Great Groups) such as the level of sodicity (in the upper B horizon) and the presence of carbonate or lime (Subgroup).
For more information about these soils, visit;
vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/portregn.nsf/pages/ppw...
In soil taxonomy, these soils are Vertisols. For more information about Soil Taxonomy, visit;
An area of very rubbly soil (class 5).
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 5.—Stones or boulders appear to be nearly continuous and cover 50 percent or more of the surface. The smallest stones are less than 0.03 meter apart; the smallest boulders are less than 0.05 meter apart. Classifiable soil is among the rock fragments, and plant growth is possible.
A vehicle-mounted passive gamma-ray sensor.
Gamma rays contain a very large amount of energy and are the most penetrating radiation from natural or artificial sources. Gamma ray spectrometers measure the distribution of the intensity of gamma (γ) radiation versus the energy of each photon. Sensors may be either active or passive. Active γ-ray sensors use a radioactive source (e.g., cesium-137) to emit photons of energy that can then be detected using a γ-ray spectrometer (e.g., Wang et al., 1975). Passive γ-ray sensors measure the energy of photons emitted from naturally occurring radioactive isotopes of the element from which they originate (e.g., Viscarra Rossel et al., 2007). Soil elemental isotopes can be mapped by a γ-ray sensor on a vehicle (fig. 6-17). Data interpretation may include analysis of measures related to the isotopes of potassium, thorium, and uranium or the total count. Such mapping can be a useful tool for predicting soil properties in different soil landscapes. A significant amount of preprocessing, however, is commonly required to reveal relationships between the γ-ray spectra and the soil data (Viscarra Rossel et al., 2007). In soil survey, gamma-ray spectroscopy is primarily applicable to order 1 surveys (and possibly some order 2 or 3) as well as to point-based measurements.
A representative soil profile of an Aquic Eutrocryept near Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo provided by D. Weindorf.)
Aquic Eutrocryepts are the Eutrocryepts that have, in one or more horizons within 75 cm of the mineral soil surface, redox depletions with chroma of 2 or less and also aquic conditions for some time in normal years (or artificial drainage). In addition, some of the soils have an umbric or mollic epipedon. Aquic Eutrocryepts are of small extent in the United States. They are mostly in Alaska, but a few are in the mountains of the Western States. The vegetation is mostly coniferous forest. The soils are used mainly for timber production and wildlife habitat.
Eutrocryepts are the Cryepts that have free carbonates or have a base saturation (by NH4OAc) of 60 percent or more in some horizon at a depth between 25 and 75 cm from the mineral soil surface. The vegetation is mostly mixed conifers and hardwoods or shrubs, grass, and widely spaced trees. Few of the soils are used as cropland. Eutrocryepts formed mostly in drift, alluvium, or colluvium or in solifluction deposits, mostly late Pleistocene or Holocene in age. The soils commonly have a thin, dark brownish ochric epipedon and a brownish cambic horizon. Some have an umbric epipedon, and some have bedrock within 100 cm of the surface. In the United States, these soils are of small extent in the high mountains of the West. They also occur in other parts of the world, mostly in mountainous areas.
Cryepts are the cold Inceptisols of high mountains or high latitudes. They cannot have permafrost within 100 cm of the soil surface. The vegetation is mostly conifers or mixed conifers and hardwoods. Few of the soils are cultivated. Cryepts formed in loess, drift, or alluvium or in solifluction deposits, mostly late Pleistocene or Holocene in age. The soils commonly have a thin, dark brownish ochric epipedon and a brownish cambic horizon. Some have bedrock within 100 cm of the surface. Cryepts are moderately extensive in the United States. They occur in the high mountains of the West and in southern Alaska as well as in other mountainous areas of the world.
For more information about soils and the Michigan State University-Department of Geography, visit:
project.geo.msu.edu/soilprofiles/
For additional information about soil classification, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...