Field Identification of Andic Soil Properties for Soils of North-central Idaho

Abstract

Currently, laboratory measurements are definitive for identifying andic soil properties in both the USDA Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff 1999) and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (FAO/ISRIC/ISSS 1998). Andic soil properties, as described in Soil Taxonomy, result mainly from the presence of significant amounts of allophone, imogolite, ferrihydrite or aluminum- humus complexes in soils. The required properties are high acid-oxalate extractable aluminum and iron percentages, low bulk density, and high phosphate retention. In addition, glass is a common component of andic soils of the Inland Northwest region (McDaniel and others 2005).

Parent Publication

• Volcanic-ash-derived forest soils of the inland Northwest: Properties and implications for management and restoration

Citation

Gardner, Brian. 2007. Field Identification of Andic Soil Properties for Soils of North-central Idaho. In: Page-Dumroese, Deborah; Miller, Richard; Mital, Jim; McDaniel, Paul; Miller, Dan, tech. eds. 2007. Volcanic-Ash-Derived Forest Soils of the Inland Northwest: Properties and Implications for Management and Restoration. 9-10 November 2005; Coeur d’Alene, ID. Proceedings RMRS-P-44; Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 23-30