SOILS OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH ISLANDS (CANADIAN ARCTIC)

• Published in: Journal of Soil Science
• Main Author: McMILLAN, N. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1960
• Subjects: Arctic; Queen Elizabeth Islands; Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.1960.tb02209.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2389.1960.tb02209.x; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2389.1960.tb02209.x/fullpdf

Summary A geological reconnaissance of the northernmost group of islands of the Canadian Arctic (Queen Elizabeth Islands) afforded an opportunity to study the nature of the soils. Profile development is rare, and the nature of the soil surface mainly depends on the slope of the ground and the type of bedrock. Chemical weathering and plant action are almost negligible in the arctic environment. Three profiles were examined in detail, two in well‐drained positions and one probably water‐logged for most of the thaw period. It is concluded that soils of this area should properly be regarded as polar equivalents of lithosols and regosols and that they should not be classed with the Tundra Great Soil Group. The name Rawmark Great Soil Group is suggested to encompass such soils of polar environment both in the northern and southern hemispheres.