2.3: Soil Taxonomy

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1. Define the following diagnostic surface horizons:

a. Mollic

b. Umbric

c. Ochric

d. Histic

e. Melanic

2. Define the following diagnostic subsurface horizons:

a. Argillic

b. Natric

c. Spodic

d. Albic

e. Cambic

3. Define the following soil moisture regimes and list a state or portion of a state in the U.S. you are likely to find that regime:

a. Aquic

b. Udic

c. Ustic

d. Aridic

e. Xeric

4. Define the following soil temperature regimes and list a state or portion of a state in the U.S. you are likely to find that regime:

a. Hyperthermic

b. Thermic

c. Mesic

d. Frigid

e. Cryic

5. For the following soil taxonomic classification, identify which element in the classification belongs to each level of Soil Taxonomy and what it tells you about that soil: Loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, Typic Palefluvent
(Example: Fine, smectitic, active, thermic, Vermic Argiaquoll – oll indicates Mollisol soil order; aqu indicates it is the wet suborder; Argi indicates it is in the great group with an argillic horizon, Vermic indicates it is the subgroup with intense earthworm activity, etc.)

a. Order:______________________________________________________________________________

b. Suborder:___________________________________________________________________________

c. Great Group:_________________________________________________________________________

d. Subgroup:___________________________________________________________________________

e. Family:______________________________________________________________________________