Histosols of High Elevations in the Tennessee Blue Ridge

Abstract

Organic soils have been observed occasionally by soil surveyors in the Tennessee Blue Ridge, but most were not large enough to delineate as separate map units. An area of dysic, Lithic Borofolists was mapped in the Cherokee National Forest in Greene County, at elevations around 4,400 ft. The mapping unit was named Borofolist-rock outcrop complex, 20 to 50% slopes, windswept, and occurred in a frigid area along the crest of the Bald Mountains. These soils ranged from less than 10 to about 30 in. deep, and consisted of extremely acid fibric, hemic, and sapric materials overlying massive quartzite bedrock. Mineral soil horizons occurred in the lower parts of some profiles. The parent material was litter from rhododendron, mountain laurel, various ferns, mosses, and under-story plants. Although of small extent, this is an interesting ecosystem composed of fragile soils that could be destroyed if disturbed significantly.