Soil Profiles for Dummies (not you guys) By R. Earl
Chernozem Dark surface horizons (Black Earth) Very high in organic from addition of soil organic matter through the deep roots of grasses and limited decomposition of the organic matter due to dry soil conditions and cold winters. Minimal leaching The calcium carbonate that was originally present in the A horizon has been dissolved and precipitated in the B and upper C horizon. Neutral Acidity Very fertile (Breadbasket of N. Am.)
Podzol Horizon of leached minerals
Podzol An extensive group of leached, acid soils, podzols have a distinctive light (ash/grey) coloured horizon Subject to intense leaching of minerals Have a distinct leached soil horizon (Ae) Located mainly on hill-land areas Mainly suitable to conifer species Thin A horizon due to leaching Acidic due to needle litter and parent material Derivation: from the Russian words pod = under and zola = ash
PARENT MATERIAL Acid rocks, often granitic or schist derived PARENT MATERIAL Acid rocks, often granitic or schist derived. VEGETATION/ORGANISMS Coniferous or Pine woodland, heather moorland. Acidity and lack of light limits the range and number of organisms which cause breakdown of plant material. Organic breakdown is slow and mainly by fungal activity, with mites of secondary importance. No earthworms present due to acid conditions. CLIMATE Cool, humid to alpine conditions with precipitation > evaporation so that translocation and leaching of material is active. TOPOGRAPHY Stable sites from sea level to mountain summits. TIME Long-term since end of last ice age, 10,000 years.
Grey brown podzol Has a soil horizon of clay accumulation Parent material mainly limestone (less acidic) Well drained, deep fertile soil Less leaching than true Podzol Deciduous leaves create more humus (makes soil more fertile and less acidic) Suitable to broadleaf/deciduous forests
Grey Brown Podzols in Canada Temperate Deciduous Biome
Laterite/Latizol/Tropical Red Earth Laterites form in warm, humid climates from the rapid chemical weathering of silicates. High weathering rates, while abundant rainfall transport the dissolved by products through the profile (heavy leaching) Laterites tend to be carbon-deficient, thin and poor cropland. Commonly destroyed by slash & burn agriculture. The residue is an aluminum and/or iron rich soil, with little silica or other cations. Mined as bauxite for aluminum.
Hot Climate Tropical areas: eg) Tropical Rainforest Monsoon Forests Savanna?
Tropical Rain Forest Regions
Sierozem/Desert Soils These soils have very low organic matter, are high in potassium and have pH's around 7.5 to 8.0. A saline (salty) and/or alkaline surface layer occurs in places. Soils are course-textured, shallow, rocky or gravely with good drainage and have no subsurface water. They are coarse because there is less chemical weathering. The finer dust and sand particles are blown elsewhere, leaving heavier pieces behind.
Peat / Tundra Soils Most are always frozen a foot or two beneath the surface. Generally, these soils have dark-brown, peaty layers over gray, moist soil. Little agricultural use is made of them. Permafrost creates waterlogged soils
Peat Soils of the Tundra
Name Each Soil Types A_________ B_________ C_________ D_________ E_________ F_________
The Five Major Soil Profiles Biome: Soil: __________________ Biome: Soil: __________________ Biome: Soil: __________________ Biome: Soil: __________________ Biome:
Red Grey-Brown Podzol Soil Temperate Deciduous Forest Podzol Soil Deciduous leaves have MORE nutrients (than needles) Acidic, nutrient-poor needles Ashy-Grey Dark Brown (Humus rich) Grey-Brown Podzol Soil Temperate Deciduous Forest Eastern Marg/Humid Cont Podzol Soil Cool Temperate Rainforest N. Coniferous Taiga/Boreal Chernozem Soil Temperate Grassland Steppe / Prairie Very Fertile Rapid decomposition Rapid recycling of nutrients Nutrients stored in VEG due to intense leaching Red Sandy Grey Tropical Red Earth Soil Laterite/Latisol Tropical Rainforest Monsoon, Savanna? Sierozem Soil Desert
4000 3000 2000 1000 mm