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Classification of Organic SoilsAuthor(s): John H. Day and K. R. EverettSource: Arctic and Alpine Research, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Summer, 1972), pp. 283-284Published by: INSTAAR, University of ColoradoStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1550232 .

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CORRESPONDENCE

THE EDITOR Arctic and Alpine Research

Sir: Classification of organic soils

I have recently read a paper by K. R. Everett, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1971, pp 1-16, describ- ing organic soils in Alaska, and of particular interest to me are Folists. Since Folists are a rather new suborder of soils I read this article with interest. I regret having to express the opinion that in fact these soils are not correctly classified.

Given that the classification of organic soils is a relatively new one and has been amended since the reference (Soil Survey Staff, 1968) quoted by the author, I wish to first draw attention to the fact that in the 1968 reference provision was made for Cryofibrists, Cryohem- ists, Cryosaprists, and Cryofolists "that are frozen in some layer within the control section about 2 months after the summer solstice, or that are never frozen below 5 cm but have a mean annual temperature that is less than 8C (47F)."

The second half of this definition covers the soils described in this paper according to the statements of the author.

Second, I wish to draw attention to the fact that Folists (Soil Survey Staff, 1968, p. 14) "have no mineral layer more than 10 cm (4 inches) thick above a lithic or paralithic contact and the organic materials are more than twice the thickness of the mineral layer."

The profile descriptions in Appendix 2 show that the Constantine and Ivakin soils do not meet this requirement. Lithic or paralithic material is not stated to underly the mineral soil material.

The paper describes the Constantine soil as "poorly drained," the Ivakin soil as "moderately

THE EDITOR Arctic and Alpine Research

Sir: Classification of organic soil: reply to com- mlents of Mr. John H. Day

After some restudy of the classification criteria, including those in the as yet unpublish- ed soil taxonomy of the National Soil Survey,

well drained," and both as "seldom saturated for any extensive period." However, the author seems to attribute the growth of the peat to high water-holding capacity, and low permeability, "especially in the Constantine and Ivakin soils" and states that "this lowered drain sur- face has not led to drainage of the surrounding peat even in the saturated Lake and Cyril soils."

In my opinion the Constantine and Ivakin soils are not Folists because they have more than 10 cm of mineral material over the rock or fragmental material. I would not argue about the reported drainage condition relative to the classification.

I suggest, therefore, in the interest of correcting an erroneous classification of two soils portrayed as belonging to a rather uncom- mon group of soils, that the Constantine soil should be classified Fluventic Terric Cryosap- rist, and the Ivakin soil at Terric Cryosaprist. The Cyril soil should be classified Typic Cryofibrist and the Lake soil as Fluventic Cryohemist.

JOHN H. DAY Chairman, Organic Soil Subcommittee Canada Soil Survey Committee Soil Research Institute Central Experimental Farm Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0C6

REFERENCES Everett, K. R.

1971 : Composition and genesis of the organic soils of Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Arc. Alp. Res., 3: 1-16.

Soil Survey Staff 1968 : Supplement to soil classification sys-

tem, 7th Approximation, Histosols. U.S. Dept. Agr., Soil Conservation Service, 1-22.

I find no serious objection to Mr. Day's reclassification of Folist to Saprist, at least based upon the published profiles where a paralithic contact is not established. However, I do not find justification for placing any of these soils in the Cryic great group, even as amended. I have not, in nearly five years experience in the Western Aleutian Islands, found these soils frozen in any layer about two

CORRESPONDENCE/283

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months after the summer solstice. They do, however, freeze below 5 cm for periods of varying length during the winter. In any case their mean annual temperature is less than 8 C. They do meet the criteria for the prefix Boro (allowing for the lack of wood).

It was not my original intent when writing the paper to completely classify these soils, but rather to place them generally within what I then considered the correct suborders and attach what, in my opinion, were significant great group characteristics, as I defined them in the text and as they might bear on genetic or geologic interpretations. This I felt would not require a detailed knowledge of the classifying criteria, at least on the part of the general readership. The descriptions and matching analyses were to provide the basis

months after the summer solstice. They do, however, freeze below 5 cm for periods of varying length during the winter. In any case their mean annual temperature is less than 8 C. They do meet the criteria for the prefix Boro (allowing for the lack of wood).

It was not my original intent when writing the paper to completely classify these soils, but rather to place them generally within what I then considered the correct suborders and attach what, in my opinion, were significant great group characteristics, as I defined them in the text and as they might bear on genetic or geologic interpretations. This I felt would not require a detailed knowledge of the classifying criteria, at least on the part of the general readership. The descriptions and matching analyses were to provide the basis

for contrary interpretation with respect to genesis (and classification) and glacial history.

Mr. Day's criticisms are appreciated and hopefully will contribute to a more exacting definition within the national taxonomy espe- cially with respect to temperature for such soils.

K. R. EVERETT Associate Professor of Agronomy Institute of Polar Studies The Ohio State University 125 South Oval Drive Columbus, Ohio 43210

REFERENCES

Day, John H. 1972 : Classification of organic soils (letter).

Arc. Alp. Res., 4(3): 283.

for contrary interpretation with respect to genesis (and classification) and glacial history.

Mr. Day's criticisms are appreciated and hopefully will contribute to a more exacting definition within the national taxonomy espe- cially with respect to temperature for such soils.

K. R. EVERETT Associate Professor of Agronomy Institute of Polar Studies The Ohio State University 125 South Oval Drive Columbus, Ohio 43210

REFERENCES

Day, John H. 1972 : Classification of organic soils (letter).

Arc. Alp. Res., 4(3): 283.

INFORMATION

FIRST INTERNATIONAL

REINDEER/CARABOU SYMPOSIUM

INFORMATION

FIRST INTERNATIONAL

REINDEER/CARABOU SYMPOSIUM

A symposium has been organized to discuss the present status of knowledge of the genus Rangifer, the domestic and wild reindeer (or caribou) of Scandinavia, Russia, and North America.

The symposium has been organized by J. R. Luick, D. R. Klein, P. C. Lent, and R. G. White of the University of Alaska and by S. Skjenneberg of the Norwegian Veterinary Laboratory at Harstad. Joint administrative sponsorship has been arranged by the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, and the Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Re- search Unit. The three-day symposium will com- mence August 9, 1972, at the University of Alaska and will be followed by tours to the North Slope, Seward Peninsula, Mt. McKinley National Park, and the University's Reindeer Research Station at Cant- well.

All countries studying reindeer and caribou will be represented at the symposium and session chair- men have been invited from Norway, Sweden, the U.S.S.R., Great Britian, Canada, and the U.S.A.

The Executive Committee reports a good response to their first call for papers. The programs will include topics in range ecology and contamination, nutritional and environmental physiology, ruminal

A symposium has been organized to discuss the present status of knowledge of the genus Rangifer, the domestic and wild reindeer (or caribou) of Scandinavia, Russia, and North America.

The symposium has been organized by J. R. Luick, D. R. Klein, P. C. Lent, and R. G. White of the University of Alaska and by S. Skjenneberg of the Norwegian Veterinary Laboratory at Harstad. Joint administrative sponsorship has been arranged by the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, and the Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Re- search Unit. The three-day symposium will com- mence August 9, 1972, at the University of Alaska and will be followed by tours to the North Slope, Seward Peninsula, Mt. McKinley National Park, and the University's Reindeer Research Station at Cant- well.

All countries studying reindeer and caribou will be represented at the symposium and session chair- men have been invited from Norway, Sweden, the U.S.S.R., Great Britian, Canada, and the U.S.A.

The Executive Committee reports a good response to their first call for papers. The programs will include topics in range ecology and contamination, nutritional and environmental physiology, ruminal

physiology and metabolism, veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, reproductive physiology, radio- ecology, behavior, population dynamics, and taxon- omy. Several authors have submitted papers on the interaction of northern development with the ecology of reindeer and caribou.

A plenary session has been arranged for Wednes- day evening, August 9, the topic being "Potential impact of accelerated northern development on reindeer/caribou populations and ecology." Pro- fessor David Klein will moderate this session. In addition, a Satellite Symposium on "Nutritional physiology and rumen function of wild ungulates" is being arranged by Professor R. G. White for Tuesday, August 8.

Dr. Frank Banfield of Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, will give the Thursday evening speech on the topic "Are the arctic ecosystems really fragile?"

Final deadlines for paper titles and abstracts is May 15, 1972; further particulars can be obtained from the Symposium Chairman, J. R. Luick, or Secretary, R. G. White, both of the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701.

physiology and metabolism, veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, reproductive physiology, radio- ecology, behavior, population dynamics, and taxon- omy. Several authors have submitted papers on the interaction of northern development with the ecology of reindeer and caribou.

A plenary session has been arranged for Wednes- day evening, August 9, the topic being "Potential impact of accelerated northern development on reindeer/caribou populations and ecology." Pro- fessor David Klein will moderate this session. In addition, a Satellite Symposium on "Nutritional physiology and rumen function of wild ungulates" is being arranged by Professor R. G. White for Tuesday, August 8.

Dr. Frank Banfield of Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, will give the Thursday evening speech on the topic "Are the arctic ecosystems really fragile?"

Final deadlines for paper titles and abstracts is May 15, 1972; further particulars can be obtained from the Symposium Chairman, J. R. Luick, or Secretary, R. G. White, both of the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701.

284/ARCTIC AND ALPINE RESEARCH 284/ARCTIC AND ALPINE RESEARCH

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