Aleza Lake Organic Soil

Soil Site Details: Aleza Lake Organic

Soils on this site are Organic, and they can also be called peat or bog soils. The main component of these soils is organic matter at different stages of decomposition. These soils are often saturated for long periods of time, resulting in low-oxygen conditions below the surface.

Basic Facts

Soil Order: Organic
Ecosystem: Bog
Climate Zone: Continental
BC Biogeoclimatic Zone: Sub Boreal Spruce

Location: Aleza Lake research forest 60 km east of Prince George, BC
City, Region, Country: Prince George, BC, Canada
Lat / Long: 54.5 / -122.51

Soil Classification

Soil Order: Organic
Great Group:
Subgroup:
Soil Series: Chief Soil Association
Classification Code:
Soil Horizons Present:
Diagnostic Horizon 1: Of
Diagnostic Horizon 2: Oh
Diagnostic Horizon 3: Om
Diagnostic Horizon 4:

Land Form

Land Form: Depression
Parent Material: Glacio-lacustrine
Elevation (m): 700
Topography: Level
Affected by Glaciation: Yes

Climate

Climate Zone: Continental
Mean Annual Temperature (C): 3
Minimum Annual Temperature (C): __
Maximum Annual Temperature (C): __
Mean Annual Precipitation (mm): 930

Land Use

Current Land Use: Bog
Original Vegetation: Sphagnum moss, Black spruce
Current Vegetation: Sphagnum moss, Black spruce

Technical Description
The soil at this site is of the Organic Order. Soils of the Organic order are the dominant wetland soils found in forested regions of Canada. Organic soils contain 17% organic C (or 30% organic matter) by weight. Most organic soils are saturated with water for prolonged periods. This soil is further classified to the Chief Soil Association. The parent material of these soils is deep to shallow organic fen deposits, comprised mainly of undecomposed sedge peat. A high water table and restricted water movement through the profile leads to saturation and anaerobic conditions and consequently the accumulation of undecomposed organic residues.
PDF with details: 41_Chief
Soil Morphology
Soil Texture of Diagnostic Horizon or Prevailing Texture: __
Soil texture horizons: __
Soil structure horizons: __
Forest Humus Form: __
Presence of Charcoal: __
Presence of Coatings: __
Soil Formation Processes
Primary Soil Process Group: Addition
Primary Soil Process: Organic matter accumulation
Secondary Soil Process: Gleying

Links

Resources home: Principles, Land use, awareness, etc.
Processes: Organic
Classification: Organic
Virtual soil monoliths: via the left-side expanding menu.

Media


Organic, from https://processes.soilweb.ca/organic/.

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