Folic Histosol Research Articles

Природные закономерности почвенно-растительного покрова юго-западных отрогов Баджальского хребта

Expert assessment has been performed using the cartographic method in a key area of the Badjal Rige southwestern spurs. The basic natural regularities of the soil and vegetation cover have been identified, including heterogeneity and contrasting change of soil and vegetation complexes within the limits of vertical zoning; belt-zone differentiation (alpine, subalpine, and taiga); wide distribution of corroms; maximum diversity and high dynamism of floodplain soil and plant complexes. The article presents a 1 : 40,000-scale vegetation map; it is based on the ecological and phytocenotic classification of vegetation. The main mapped units are association groups and their combinations. The legend reflects 13 divisions of the vegetation cover. Corroms occupy the largest areas (24.9 %). The subalpine zone vegetation makes 20.9 % of the total area. Mountain taiga forests take 32.9 % of the total mapped territory, including spruce forests (7.3 %), larch forests (21.9 %), and birch-larch forests (3.7 %). Larch woodlands are responsible for slightly less than 3 % of the territory; sphagnum oligotrophic bogs, for 0.5 %. Floodplain forests are spread over the area of 12.5 %; that includes spruce forests (4.8 %), chosenia-poplar-larch forests (4.5 %), and poplarlarch forests (3.2 %). 4.4 % of the area is pebbled. There are 5 types and 13 subtypes of soils represented in the soil cover. Dystric histosols and leptic folic histosols form the soil background. Soils are characterized by the presence of organogenic-coarse humus or dry peaty horizons. Organic matter content is high or very high. The reaction of the soil solution varies from very acidic to acidic. Based on the vegetation map, soil areas are roughly quantified. In terms of the set of soil and plant complexes as well as their regular change in vertical zoning, the area under discussion is the reference territory. Represented here is the Okhotsk type of land cover zoning, which is typical for the Far East with its monsoonal climate.

Structure of Microbial Communities and Biological Activity in Tundra Soils of the Euro-Arctic Region (Rybachy Peninsula, Russia).

The relevance of the Arctic regions' study is rapidly increasing due to the sensitive response of fragile ecosystems to climate change and anthropogenic pressure. The microbiome is an important component that determines the soils' functioning and an indicator of changes occurring in ecosystems. Rybachy Peninsula is the northernmost part of the continental European Russia and is almost completely surrounded by Barents Sea water. For the first time, the microbial communities of the Entic Podzol, Albic Podzol, Rheic Histosol and Folic Histosol as well as anthropogenically disturbed soils (chemical pollution and human impact, growing crops) on the Rybachy Peninsula were characterized using plating and fluorescence microscopy methods, in parallel with the enzymatic activity of soils. The amount and structure of soil microbial biomass, such as the total biomass of fungi and prokaryote, the length and diameter of fungal and actinomycete mycelium, the proportion of spores and mycelium in the fungal biomass, the number of spores and prokaryotic cells, the proportion of small and large fungal spores and their morphology were determined. In the soils of the peninsula, the fungal biomass varied from 0.121 to 0.669 mg/g soil. The biomass of prokaryotes in soils ranged from 9.22 to 55.45 μg/g of soil. Fungi predominated, the proportion of which in the total microbial biomass varied from 78.5 to 97.7%. The number of culturable microfungi ranged from 0.53 to 13.93 × 103 CFU/g in the topsoil horizons, with a maximum in Entic Podzol and Albic Podzol soils and a minimum in anthropogenically disturbed soil. The number of culturable copiotrophic bacteria varied from 41.8 × 103 cells/g in a cryogenic spot to 5551.3 × 103 cells /g in anthropogenically disturbed soils. The number of culturable oligotrophic bacteria ranged from 77.9 to 12,059.6 × 103 cells/g. Changes in natural soils because of anthropogenic impact and a change in vegetation types have led to a change in the structure of the community of soil microorganisms. Investigated tundra soils had high enzymatic activity in native and anthropogenic conditions. The β-glucosidase and urease activity were comparable or even higher than in the soils of more southern natural zone, and the activity of dehydrogenase was 2-5 times lower. Thus, despite the subarctic climatic conditions, local soils have a significant biological activity upon which the productivity of ecosystems largely depends. The soils of the Rybachy Peninsula have a powerful enzyme pool due to the high adaptive potential of soil microorganisms to the extreme conditions of the Arctic, which allows them to perform their functions even under conditions of anthropogenic interference.

Plant indicators for Folic Histosols in mountain forests of the Calcareous Alps

AbstractQuestionsAlthough thick forest floors overlying unweathered bedrock are important resources for mountain forests' functioning, their actual distribution is poorly known and difficult to delimit in the field. We therefore asked: (a) What is the specific composition of vegetation growing on Folic Histosols; (b) can indicator plants be used to detect Folic Histosols in mountain forests; (c) what do functional traits of plant indicators tell about the ecological properties of Folic Histosols?LocationNorthern Calcareous Alps, south Germany.MethodsBased on representative stratified sampling of joint vegetation plots and soil profile descriptions, we estimated the frequency and thickness of Folic Histosols, determined the proportion of compositional variation specifically attributable to forest floor thickness using ordination, applied Indicator Species Analysis and searched for typical traits and ecological requirements of indicator species.ResultsThe co‐existence of acidophilic and calciphytic plants is typical for the tessellated occurrence and the successional origin of Folic Histosols. In the study region, the detection of Folic Histosols on pure limestone or dolomite by ground vegetation works very well. Particularly acidophilic plants are suitable indicators for thick forest floors. The indicator value of bryophytes and Ericaceae for Folic Histosols is likely related to the colonization of rotten wood. Folic Histosol indicator species are widely spread in the allocation to sociology group, which ranges from open landscapes to dark forests and reflects successional origin.ConclusionsIn mountain forests on carbonate bedrock, thick humus layers often occur next to bare rock. This tessellated structure can also be detected in the ground vegetation, where acidophilic and calciphytic plants occur side by side. Thick Folic Histosols in late successional forests are dominated by acidophilic plants colonizing rotten wood. Thus, the detection of Folic Histosols by understorey species is an easy and cost‐effective possibility and one key to protect these vulnerable forest sites.

Soils and Vegetation of the Khaipudyr Bay Coast of the Barents Sea

Soils and vegetation of the coastal zone of the Khaipudyr Bay of the Barents Sea have been examined and compared with analogous objects in the Karelian coastal zone of the White Sea. The environmental conditions of these two areas are somewhat different: the climate of the Khaipudyr Bay coast is more severe, and the seawater salinity is higher (32–33‰ in the Khaipudyr Bay and 25–26‰ in the White Sea). The soil cover patterns of both regions are highly variable. Salt-affected marsh soils (Tidalic Fluvisols) are widespread. The complicated mesotopography includes high geomorphic positions that are not affected by tidal water. Under these conditions, zonal factors of pedogenesis predominate and lead to the development of Cryic Folic Histosols and Histic Reductaquic Cryosols. On low marshes, the concentrations of soluble Ca2+, K+ + Na+, Cl–, and SO2-4 ions in the soils of the Khaipudyr Bay coast are two to four times higher than those in the analogous soils of Karelian coast. Cluster analysis of a number of soil characteristics allows separation of three soils groups: soils of low marshes, soils of middle-high marshes, and soils of higher positions developing under the impact of zonal factors together with the aerial transfer and deposition of seawater drops. The corresponding plant communities are represented by coastal sedge cenoses, forb–grassy halophytic cenoses, and zonal cenoses of hypoarctic tundra. It is argued that the grouping of marsh soils in the new substantivegenetic classification system of Russian soils requires further elaboration.

Comparative Analysis of the Number and Structure of the Complexes of Microscopic Fungi in Tundra and Taiga Soils in the North of the Kola Peninsula

The number, biomass, length of fungal mycelium, and species diversity of microscopic fungi have been studied in soils of the tundra and taiga zones in the northern part of the Kola Peninsula: Al-Fe-humus podzols (Albic Podzols), podburs (Entic Podzols), dry peaty soils (Folic Histosols), low-moor peat soils (Sapric Histosols), and soils of frost bare spots (Cryosols). The number of cultivated microscopic fungi in tundra soils varied from 8 to 328 thousand CFU/g, their biomass averaged 1.81 ± 0.19 mg/g, and the length of fungal mycelium averaged 245 ± 25 m/g. The number of micromycetes in taiga soils varied from 80 to 350 thousand CFU/g, the number of fungal propagules in some years reached 600 thousand CFU/g; the fungal biomass varied from 0.23 to 6.2 mg/g, and the length of fungal mycelium varied from 32 to 3900 m/g. Overall, 36 species of fungi belonging to 16 genera, 13 families, and 8 orders were isolated from tundra soils. The species diversity of microscopic fungi in taiga soils was significantly higher: 87 species belonging to 31 genera, 21 families, and 11 orders. Fungi from the Penicillium genus predominated in both natural zones and constituted 38–50% of the total number of isolated species. The soils of tundra and taiga zones were characterized by their own complexes of micromycetes; the similarity of their species composition was about 40%. In soils of the tundra zone, Mortierella longicollis, Penicillium melinii, P. raistrickii, and P. simplicissimum predominated; dominant fungal species in soils of the taiga zone were represented by M. longicollis, P. decumbens, P. implicatum, and Umbelopsis isabellina.

Fine spatial resolution mapping of soil organic matter quality in a Histosol profile

SummarySoil science lacks a fine spatial resolution imaging technique that is able to measure the quantity and quality of organic matter (OM) for complete soil profiles. We tested whether laboratory Vis‐NIR imaging spectroscopy, together with an unsupervised k‐means classification, can be used to distinguish between different OM fractions in a Histosol profile. A rectangular soil column (22‐cm long) of a folic Histosol (Tangelhumus) was collected from an alpine Norway spruce forest in south‐eastern Germany with a stainless steel box (100 × 100 × 300 mm). A hyperspectral camera (400–1000 nm with 160 bands) with a pixel sampling of 63 × 63 µm was used to acquire the data. We took images of three vertical cuts through the soil profile, each separated laterally by 25 mm. Reference samples were taken at representative locations and analysed for soil organic matter (SOM) quantity and quality with a CN elemental analyser and solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Principal component analysis and unsupervised k‐means classifications were used to discriminate between different qualities of OM. We identified three OM fractions based on their reflectance characteristics: living and dead roots with a small degree of decomposition, decomposed particulate OM and decomposed amorphous OM. These fractions were consistent with the morpho‐functional classes of two soil classification systems and can be used for the improved identification of diagnostic horizons. The spectra of the fractions contained additional information on, for example, lignin content and the degree of decomposition. Vis‐NIR imaging spectroscopy is a powerful technique for mapping SOM quality in visually homogeneous organic surface layers.

Edifisols—a new soil unit of technogenic soils

A very specific type of urban soils forms on buildings. They are developed from or on technogenic substrates. This work was conducted to assess properties of Edifisols occurring in different regions of Europe and northwest Africa. Proposals are made for the terminology used and the systematic position of the investigated soils in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources. The research was carried out in 2009–2012 in seven countries. Samples (23 in total) were accidentally collected from 15 municipalities of different size and function ranging from villages, small tourist resorts through medium-sized regional centres to metropolises. Soil material was collected from two types of building components: horizontal (roofs, tops of the buildings, bridge surfaces; 17 samples) and vertical (cracks and gaps in the walls; six samples). Soil materials were submitted to standard physical and chemical analyses to determine selected soil properties. For statistical analysis, STATISTICA 9.0 software was used. The studied soils were very shallow, with the maximum thickness up to 10 cm. In the light of this study, several properties of the Edifisols should be regarded as characteristic, i.e. richness in artefacts and carbonates, very varied content of organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (Nt), elevated phosphorus content (Pca) and heavy metal contamination. The results of the statistical analysis showed that climate was not a key factor in differentiation of the studied soils. The properties of Edifisols are linked to their position on the buildings. Edifisols in concave forms differ from those located on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Stages of the development of Edifisols are presented taking into account the functioning of the building in the course of time. Edifisols are formed as a result of initial, relatively natural soil-forming processes occurring on man-made substrates. Therefore, they may be considered as technogenic analogues of natural initial or weakly developed soils (Rendzic Leptosols, Folic Histosols and ornithogenic soils). They are often ephemeral soils susceptible to the influx of various contaminants. Due to specific location, genesis and properties, the qualifier Edific is proposed to supplement the next edition of World Reference Base (WRB).

Carbon and Water in Upper Montane Soils and Their Influences on Vegetation in Southern Brazil

Considering the many environmental functions of the upper montane soils, the aims of this study were (1) to verify if the soils of upper montane forests and grasslands of Caratuva Peak (1850 m a.s.l.) have similar characteristics to those found in other highlands in southern and southeastern Brazil; (2) to reinforce the geomorphological and pedological factors that impose the establishment of each type of vegetation in these highlands; and (3) to estimate potential soil carbon stocks and potential soil water retention. Folic and haplic histosols were found in the grasslands, and dystrophic regosols were found in the forests. The soils were dystrophic, extremely acidic, and saturated with Al and total organic carbon. In contrast to the grasslands, the upper montane forests were prevalent in valleys and subjected to morphogenetic processes resulting in soils that contained thicker mineral horizons. The grasslands occupied ridges and divergent convex ramps, and the pedogenetic processes in these regions promoted thicker histic horizons. The potential water retention capacities were high and strongly related to the high porosities of histic horizons associated with the gleyic horizons. In particularly, the carbon stocks were two- to three-fold higher than those found in soil ecosystems from the same latitude but lower altitude.

Organic soils of Canada: Part 2. Upland Organic soils

Fox, C. A. and Tarnocai, C. 2011. Organic soils of Canada: Part 2. Upland Organic soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 823–842. Soils from upland moderately well-drained environments with thick accumulations (>10 cm over lithic contact; >40 cm over mineral soil) of folic materials (forest materials, branches, roots, and other non-wetland materials) are classified within the Folisol great group in the Organic Order since the 1987 revision of the Canadian System of Soil Classification. The Folisol great group correlates to Folist in Keys to Soil Taxonomy and Folic Histosol in World Reference Base for Soil Resources (FAO). Two subgroups – Hemic and Humic Folisol – account for most Folisols addressing the state of decomposition of folic materials. The Lignic and Histic Folisol subgroups identify specific kinds of folic accumulations. Folisolic soils can occur throughout Canada, in forest, heath, and alpine ecosytems with cool, moist, humid environments, but are most prominent within the Pacific Maritime Ecozone; areal extent in Canada is ∼12 505 km2. The main genetic process is the accumulation and decomposition of the folic materials that lead to distinct F and H horizons. Recommendations for research needs are presented to address outstanding taxonomic questions for: 1. Classification of Folisols as a separate soil order; and 2. Taxonomic protocols for lowercase suffixes for the L, F and H horizons and the need for enhanced humus form classifications. Some of the historical proposals to address these issues are discussed. Folisols should be considered extremely sensitive environmentally because of their markedly different genetic development being dependent on thick accumulations of folic materials, their limited and unique distribution in Canada, and their importance for forest sustainability.

Organic soils of Canada: Part 2. Upland Organic soils

Fox, C. A. and Tarnocai, C. 2011. Organic soils of Canada: Part 2. Upland Organic soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 823-842. Soils from upland moderately well-drained environments with thick accumulations (>10 cm over lithic contact; >40 cm over mineral soil) of folic materials (forest materials, branches, roots, and other non-wetland materials) are classified within the Folisol great group in the Organic Order since the 1987 revision of the Canadian System of Soil Classification. The Folisol great group correlates to Folist in Keys to Soil Taxonomy and Folic Histosol in World Reference Base for Soil Resources (FAO). Two subgroups - Hemic and Humic Folisol - account for most Folisols addressing the state of decomposition of folic materials. The Lignic and Histic Folisol subgroups identify specific kinds of folic accumulations. Folisolic soils can occur throughout Canada, in forest, heath, and alpine ecosytems with cool, moist, humid environments, but are most prominent within the Pacific Maritime Ecozone; areal extent in Canada is ~12 505 km2. The main genetic process is the accumulation and decomposition of the folic materials that lead to distinct F and H horizons. Recommendations for research needs are presented to address outstanding taxonomic questions for: 1. Classification of Folisols as a separate soil order; and 2. Taxonomic protocols for lowercase suffixes for the L, F and H horizons and the need for enhanced humus form classifications. Some of the historical proposals to address these issues are discussed. Folisols should be considered extremely sensitive environmentally because of their markedly different genetic development being dependent on thick accumulations of folic materials, their limited and unique distribution in Canada, and their importance for forest sustainability.

Organic Soils on Basaltic Lava Flows in a Cool, Arid Environment

Holocene‐aged basaltic lava flows offer a unique opportunity to study the initial stages of soil formation. In the cool, dry climate at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CROM) in southern Idaho, organic soils (Histosols in Soil Taxonomy) are the dominant soil on recent lava surfaces. Unsaturated Histosols, or Folists (Folic Histosols in World Reference Base [WRB]), occupy crevices and depressions on the lava surface and support vegetation adapted for life in this harsh environment. These soils are comprised of either a thin fibric (Oi horizon) over a hemic (Oe horizon) or a single, relatively homogenous Oe horizon over relatively unweathered basalt bedrock. The parent material for organic soils is biologic rather than geologic in origin with parent vegetation growing in crevices supplying the necessary organic debris. Soil acidity is directly influenced by the type of vegetation growing in the soil, with more acidic leaf litter creating lower pH soils while more alkaline plant debris generates soil with more neutral pH. Within these shallow soils (12–35 cm), organic C content (mean 333 g kg−1) is proportional to fiber content and cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) and inversely proportional to bulk density. Compared with Folists of wetter climates, those forming at CROM have substantially higher bulk densities with a mean of 0.41 g cm−3 The influence of loessial mineral material likely accounts for the increased mineral content and subsequent increase in bulk density. Knowledge of the morphological, physical, and chemical properties of Folists at CROM is essential to improve our understanding of the ecological significance of Folists and co‐evolution of soils and plant communities in a cool, arid environment.

Preliminary mapping and characterisation of soils in the Pirin Mountains (Bulgaria)

Soil types, humus types and vegetation as well as their hypsometric variation were analysed in terms of sequences in the northern part of the high mountains of the Pirin National Park at altitudes between 1000 and 2400 m a.s.l. The study area is characterised by a large variety of natural parameters like petrology (mainly marble and granite), morphology (different slope deposits, exposition) and the orographic climate gradient. Statistical analyses using these parameters provided a basis for the soil group classification of the sites. Based on a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a geological map of the Pirin National Park, the results of these statistical analyses were used to generate a "map of potential soil groups" (regionalisation using GIS). Six potential soil groups could be determined. The resulting map exhibits a confidence level of 68 % on 74.4 % of the covered area. Rendzic Leptosols, in combination with Folic Histosols and Histi-lithic Leptosols occur in the alpine and subalpine regions on calcareous substrates. With decreasing altitude they are replaced by a mosaic of Rendzic Leptosols, Phaeozems and an increasing occurrence of Cambic Umbrisols. Umbrisols found on silicatic substrates in the alpine region are replaced by Cambic Umbrisols with decreasing altitude as well. Hence, pedogenesis is characterised by increasing browning and depth of the soil profiles with decreasing altitude. The pH-level is slightly acidic to neutral in lower zones and on calcareous rocky bases. Acidification increases in the subalpine zone. Soil pH decreases down to 4 on silicate subtrates. Typical humic values in mineral topsoils are 10 to 12 %, and in organic layers of the soils above 2000 m a.s.l. they are even more. The C:N ratio closely ranges around 20 (median).

Insoluble alkyl carbon components in soils derive mainly from cutin and suberin

Insoluble alkyl carbon components were isolated, identified and quantified in soil samples of a Haplic Podzol (from the Oi to the Bs horizons) and a Folic Histosol (from the Oi to the Oa2 horizons) to obtain information about their fate during litter decomposition and humification. The compounds were released by a sequential chemical degradation which comprised acid and base hydrolysis, cleavage with iodotrimethylsilane (ITMS) and oxidation with ruthenium tetroxide (RuO 4). The identification and quantification were carried out using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Alkyl C components were detected as fatty acids and alcohols with varying structures and chain length in the range from 7 to 32 C atoms. They derived mainly from the hydrolysable plant polyesters cutin and suberin preserved in the soils, and containing ether and double bonds. The total concentration ranged between 26.3 mg g −1 total organic carbon (TOC) in the Bs horizon and 44.8 mg g −1 TOC in the Oa horizon of the Haplic Podzol. In the Folic Histosol the contents decreased from 28.9 mg g −1 TOC in the Oi horizon to 8.9 mg g −1 TOC in the Oh2 horizon. For both soils, the depth functions depended mainly on the cutin and suberin input from litterfall and roots as well as their translocation and enzymatic degradation. The contribution of the insoluble alkyl C identified by GC–MS to the total alkyl C determined by NMR decreased from about 10% in the Oi horizon to 2% in the Oa2 horizon of the Folic Histosol.

Soil types and eolian dust in high-mountainous karst of the Northern Calcareous Alps (Zugspitzplatt, Wetterstein Mountains, Germany)

This study deals with the soil formation on pure limestone in the high-mountainous karst of Wetterstein Mountains (Northern Calcareous Alps). The study area in detail covers the alpine (2000 to 2350 m) and the subnivale zone (2350 to 2600 m) of Zugspitzplatt, a tertiary paleosurface situated next to the highest summit of Germany (Zugspitze 2963 m). The formation of autochthonous soils is determined by the following parameters: uniform geology and geochemistry of Triassic limestone (CaCO 3+MgCO 3≥98%), variable substrata (solid rock, debris, local moraine), hypsometric pattern of vegetation modified by microclimate and aspect, variety of micro-environments in karst relief. In the subnivale zone, only leptosols (lithic, skeletic) and regosols (calcaric, humic) occur, whereas in the alpine zone different stages of folic histosols and rendzic leptosols prevail due to the diversity of vegetation. The purity of limestone prevents a distinct contribution of residues to soil formation. Instead of expected A–B–C profiles, the residues are mixed with organic matter of folic horizons (O–OB–C). Only in karst depressions or on local moraines small Bt horizons (2 to 5 cm) occur. They mark a developed stage of folic histosol (O–OB–Bt–C) representing the climax of autochthonous mineral soil genesis in the study area. Special features are brown deposits (mean thickness 30 cm) covering large parts of the alpine zone. On the basis of mineralogical (X-ray diffraction, heavy minerals) and pedological data (grain size, soil chemistry), eolian origin is indicated. The resulting soils are classified as loess loam-like cambisols (Ah–Bw–2(Bt)–2C) and are related to late glacial loess deposition (Egesen-Stade of Younger Dryas). The abundance of mica and silt in the surface layers and the grain size distribution of snow dust samples prove that dust influx by southerly winds is still continuing. The major sources for both late glacial and present-day dust are magmatic and metamorphic rock formations of the Central Alps. Additionally, local dust transport from adjacent outcrops of Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sediments is evident.

Migration of Cesium‐137 in typical soils of North Germany ten years after the Chernobyl accident

AbstractTen years after the Chernobyl disaster the Cs‐137 migration of typical soils of North Germany (Folic Histosol, Haplic Podzol, Dystric Gleysol, Eutric Fluvisol) has been investigated and compared to their Cs distribution in 1986. In 1986 nearly 90% of the Cs‐137 occurred in the upper 1–5 cm soil sections, whereas it was 50–70% in 1996. The more regular distribution ten years after the accident shows that migration processes have taken place. The Podzol presented a high migration with marked Cs‐137 losses in the top soil. The Gleysol showed the lowest migration down to 10 cm depth. A nearly similar pattern at the top was found within the Histosol, however, a ratio of 10% Cs‐137 in the 10–15 cm section indicated a deeper migration. Despite the large clay content, the Fluvisol showed a regular Cs distribution within its profile, probably resulting from cattle steps and/or peloturbation.