NEC1006: Hydropedology: Genesis, properties, and distribution of hydromorphic soils.
Statement of Issues and Justification
Water plays an essential role in many processes taking place in the soil environment. Wetlands are characterized by having saturated conditions to the soil surface during some part of the growing season. This strongly affects the ability of microorganisms to break down the organic materials. This results in accumulation of organic matter in the form of bogs, swamps, and marshes. Even mineral wetland soils undergo microbial processes that make these soils unique. Knowledge of these processes is important to elucidate, among other things, the effects of global warming on the distribution of coastal wetlands and to study the processes that result in the sequestration of carbon, iron, sulfur, and other compounds associated with wetlands. Others want to study wetland soils because of regulatory complications, in which certain soils do not display characteristics typically associated with long-term soil saturation. Not much is known about the pedological effects of rising sea levels, but soils of coastal wetlands potentially can store large amounts of carbon which may affect the atmospheric carbon balance. Although some estimates have been made about the amount of carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands, these estimates do not take into account that formerly dry soils can become submerged and that these soils will contribute strongly to carbon immobilization. Rising sea levels also create shallow estuarine substrates which properties are controlling the plants and animals living in this environment. Subaqueous soils can be classified and delineated into units with similar physical and chemical characteristics. The properties of these submerged sediments have a significant effect on subaqueous vegetation (SAV) which serve as an important breeding and feeding locale for fish. A healthy coastal fisheries industry largely depends on the quality and distribution of the SAV. Seasonal high water tables generally result in distinct patterns of colored spots often referred to as redoximorphic features. Various wetland regulations define the occurrence of hydric soils as an indicator of jurisdictional wetlands, particularly when the redoximorphic features are present in the upper 30 cm of the soil. While this concept is valid for the majority of soils, there are situations where redox features are lacking, yet the site may exhibits extensive periods of saturation. New indicators need to be developed for these problem soils, to allow for a reliable and reproducible determination of wetland boundaries. In fact, it would be helpful to monitor seasonal water table fluctuations in selected soils over a long time period to allow for a better understanding of the genesis of these redoximorphic features. This would also help in providing more realistic estimates about the degree of seasonal soil wetness. This would contribute to much improved soil survey interpretations of the hydrology of specific soils. This would aid land use decisions for a wide variety of purposes including agriculture, building construction, and on-site sewage disposal. The Northeast region recently has seen a rise in the number of active pedology researchers. The common threat in the research interests of these individuals is water. This project is an attempt to consolidate the study of wetland soils in a more organized fashion thereby allowing soil scientists from the entire region and beyond to focus on processes unique to wetlands and to study the physical, chemical and morphological characteristics that result from these distinct processes.
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