Some Folists on Whiteface Mountain, New York

Abstract

Abstract Relatively shallow, nonsaturated organic soils on Whiteface Mountain in New York have been characterized and classified. These Folists consist of strongly acid O1 and O2 horizons of litter accumulations in varying stages of decomposition overlying bedrock or carpeting fragmental materials at depths commonly ranging from 10 to 75 cm. These soils occur mainly above 760‐m elevation and are relatively pure units on narrow ridge crests and on steep mountain slopes. On less steep slopes these Folists are intimately associated with Spodosols. The main families observed are: dysic Typic Borofolists; dysic, micro‐Typic Borofolists; dysic Lithic Borofolists; dysic, shallow Lithic Borofolists; and dysic, micro Lithic Borofolists. Borofolists are cold Folists with mean annual soil temperature < 8C; the Lithic subgroups have a lithic contact within 1 m of the surface; and the Typic subgroups are underlain by fragmental materials. The shallow family indicates a lithic contact between 18 and 50 cm, whereas the micro family has a solum less than 18 cm thick. All families observed are dysic having a pH < 4.5 measured in neutral salt solution.