HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Simonson, R. W. Articles by Rieger, S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Simonson, R. W. Articles by Rieger, S. GeoRef GeoRef Citation Agricola Articles by Simonson, R. W. Articles by Rieger, S.

Soils of the Andept Suborder in Alaska¹

ABSTRACT

These are the major well-drained soils of nonmountainous areas of Kodiak Island, the Aleutian Islands, and the Alaska peninsula, and they occur as well in southwestern Kenai peninsula. The soils were formerly classified in the Ando group on the basis of similarities to that group as originally proposed in Japan. Three profiles were studied as examples of the group and to illustrate differences in degree of horizonation. Detailed information is given on the morphology and composition of these profiles. The soils have thick dark A horizons, are strongly acid and have low base saturation throughout their profiles, have little textural differentiation in the profile, and have clay fractions dominated by allophane. The soils are now classified as Cryandepts (Inceptisols) in the 7th Approximation and seem closely related to other soils formed in volcanic ash in places as far removed as Japan, New Zealand, and South America. They also share certain characteristics with geographically associated Spodosols (Podzols). Field relationships and the shared characteristics of B horizons suggest that Andepts are readily converted to Orthods (Podzols) following occupation by spruce forest.

Key Words: allophane • Ando soils • Cryandepts • Spdosols • volcanic ash • Japan • dark A horizons

¹ Contribution from the Soil Survey, SCS, USDA.

² Director, Soil Classification and Correlation, Washington, D. C., and State Soil Scientist, Alaska, respectively.

Received for publication February 13, 1967. Accepted for publication May 16, 1967.