Also known as organic
soils, Histosols are developed by the accumulation of
organic material in an
anaerobic environment. Histosols are black to dark brown in color and are more commonly known as
peats or
mucks.
Histosols are also most commonly found in
wetlands. Its organic makeup is mostly water plants such as
cattails,
sedges,
reeds,
mosses,
shrubs, and some trees.
Histosols can form in any
climate but are more prevalent in cold climates like that of
Alaska,
Canada,
Finland and
Russia and in formerly glaciated regions such as
Michigan,
New York, and
Wisconsin. They are also found in low-lying tropical and subtropical areas such as the
everglades in
Florida and the
bayous of
Louisiana.
Suborders:
-
Fibrists. Fibers of the parent material (plants) can be identified. Also known as peats.
- Folists. Folists form from leaf mat accumulations.
- Hemists. Fibers are partially decomposed so not all of the parent material can be identified. Also known as mucky peats.
- Saprists. Also known as mucks, the fibers in this soil are fully decomposed and not identifiable.