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Properties of Some Soils in the Cumberland Plateau as Related to Slope Aspect and Position¹

ABSTRACT

Soils developed from acid siltstones and shales were sampled on the lower, middle, and upper part of steep north and south-facing slopes in transects made across ridges in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. Particle size distribution, base saturation, and soil temperature are related to slope position. Soils in the middle slope positions are higher in coarse material than those in the upper or lower positions. Soils in the lower slope positions have the highest base status and are coolest.

Slope aspect influences soil temperature and organic matter content and the kinds of horizons formed and their color. Most soils on the south-facing slopes have argillic horizons while most on the north-facing slopes have cambic horizons. Soils on the north slope have almost 2C lower mean annual temperature, contain more organic matter, are darker in color, and hold more water during a period of water stress than soils on the south-facing slope.

¹ Contribution from the Soil Conservation Service, USDA and Forest Service, USDA.

² Soil Scientist, SCS, Beltsville, Md., (now Agronomy Department, Purdue University); Soil Scientist, SCS, Beltsville, Md.; Soil Scientist, SCS, Knoxville, Tenn.; Soil Scientist, FS, Somerset, Ky. (now Forester, FS, Buena Vista, Va.); and Soil Scientist, Somerset, Ky. (now Research Soil Scientist, FS, Carbondale, Ill.).

Received for publication March 10, 1969. Accepted for publication June 23, 1969.