COMPARISON OF CANADIAN AND AMERICAN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SOME ARCTIC SOILS OF THE UNGAVA-LABRADOR PENINSULA

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
• Main Author: HENDERSHOT, W. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1985
• Subjects: Soil Science; Arctic; Canada; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss85-032; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss85-032

Thirteen pedons in an arctic environment were classified according to the Canadian and American systems of soil classification. Major differences in groupings result from the contrasting approaches. Although the definition used in Canada to define Cryosols is sometimes difficult to apply in the field, the underlying concept is valid, since soils with permafrost at a shallow depth should be separated at the highest level of classification. The American system virtually ignores the influence of permafrost on pedogenesis. Its reliance on soil temperature regimes at both the great group and subgroup levels is redundant. It is suggested that the definition of Cryosols, in the Canadian system, be changed to include strongly cryoturbated soils with very cold or colder soil temperature regimes. The American system should be altered to provide for pergelic great groups; in addition permafrost and strong cryoturbation should be used to create new subgroups. The requirement that a cambic horizon have a texture finer than loamy fine sand should be waived in soils having cryic or pergelic soil temperature regimes. Key words: Cryosols, cryoturbated soils, permafrost, pergelic soils