Soil profile and soil suitability - Humus form and its classification

29 important questions on Soil profile and soil suitability - Humus form and its classification

What is the origin of OM in the ectorganic horizons?

The plant litter that accumulated on top of the profile.

What is the origin of OM in the endorganic horizons?

The roots or from (bio)turbation processes.
Peat layers are also considered endorganic horizons.

Which horizon is first mentioned when there are multiple horizons mixed together?

The dominant one.
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What are the ectorganic horizons?

1. L
2. F
3. H
4. Layer of living peat moss

What are L horizons?

L = litter
Fresh litter in which the entire original structures are discernible.

What is the difference between a Ln and a Lv horizon?

Ln = litter new (intact structure and colour)
Lv = litter variative (decayed leaves)

What are F horizons?

F = fragmented
Partially decomposed litter. The plant residues are fragmented and fine organic matter may be quite abundant, but the residues are stille macroscopically well recognizable.

Why are there many roots in F horizons?

Here decomposition is most active and consequently most nutrients are released here.

What is the Fm horizon?

Fm = fragmented mycogenous
Decomposition largely through fungi. Schimmelnetwerken zichtbaar.

What is the Fa horizon?

Fa = fragmented amphi
If decomposition is through both mesofauna and fungi. Schimmelnetwerken en droppings.

What are H horizons?

Part of the ectorganic humus porfile where organic matter is most strongly decomposed. Litter is decades old. Largely consists of fine humified organic matter (>70%). Droppings and mactroscopically unidentifiable plant residues.

What is the Hh horizon?

Hh = humus humic
Completely humified, massive blocky structure.

What is the Hr horizon?

Hr = humus residues
Fine organic matter with residues of roots, bark or wood.

What is the Hw horizon?

Hw = humus wood
Many wood remnants.

What is the Hz horizon?

Hz = humus zoogenous.
Fine organic mattter consists mainly of mesofauna dropping.

How are endorganic horizons formed?

By incorporation of organic matter in the mineral soil (A) or by in situ accumulation of organic matter ( M & O).

When are M horizons formed?

When the input of dead roots exceeds their decomposition. Leads to the formation of a root mat.

Under what conditions do root mats form?

Too wet, too acidic or too dry. Sometimes combinations of these factors.

What is a Mf horizon?

Mf = mat fibric
Horizon consists largely of dead roots. Very dense root mat.

What is a Mm horizon?

Mm = mat mesic
Roots are partially decomposed with fine organic matter in between them.

What is a Mh horizon?

Mh = mat humic
Humified root residues, in which some roots are still discernible.

What is a AMh horizon

A transitional horizon between M and Ah horizons.

What are O horizons?

Peat accumulation due to wetness.

What is an Od horizon?

Od = o detrital
They developed from oligotrophic acidic peat, composed of peat moss. They have been formed by decomposition of peat.

What is an Ah horizon?

Organic matter has been mixed with the mineral material through biological homogenisation.

What is an Ap horizon?

Plought A horizons.. The transition between the Ap horizon and the one underneath needs to be very clearly visible.

What is an Aa horizon?

An anthropogenic horizon where the continued use of manure and litter results in the formation of a thick mineral earthy layer.

What is an E horizon?

Een uitspoelingshorizon (van klei, Fe en Al of humus). Has a whitish to greyish colour.

What is an Bw horizon?

Are changed in colour, clay content and/or structure by weathering in situ. Moderhumus in droppings.

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