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Properties of Selected Soils Developed Near the Forest‐Prairie Border in East‐Central Illinois
Author(s) -
Bailey L. W.,
Odell R. T.,
Boggess W. R.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1964.03615995002800020038x
Subject(s) - soil water , loess , organic matter , environmental science , calcareous , soil science , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , geomorphology , biology , paleontology , geotechnical engineering
Two Gray‐Brown Podzolic soils and two Gray‐Brown Podzolic to Brunizem intergrade (transition) soils which occur near the forest‐prairie border in east‐central Illinois were studied to determine the effect of vegetation upon soil properties. All four profiles developed in loess and calcareous till of similar age and in the same climatic area so that soil differences are related to length of occupancy by trees, forest composition, and natural drainage. The Gray‐Brown Podzolic soils are more highly weathered and show more forest influence than the transition soils. This is indicated by higher organic carbon content and base status in the Al horizons; higher clay maxima, higher cation‐exchange capacities, lower Ca/Mg ratios, and lower base status in the B2 horizons; and less organic matter in the lower horizons of the Gray‐Brown Podzolic soils than in the transition soils. The relationships between soil properties and the vegetation sequence in north‐central United States are reviewed.