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23 <br /> eoil D��cription and cla��iliaation x�thoaoloqp <br /> Soil morphology can be used to identify and claseify a soil <br /> as hydric. Therefore the morphology of the soils on the <br /> property were asaessed in regards to hydric properties. <br /> Soils were examined uainq exposed profiles within pits or by <br /> ueinq samples obtained by auqerinq. Observationa of <br /> topoqraphy, soil texture, and deqree of disturbance (i.e. , <br /> fillinq and/or qradinq) were also recorded. Soil augerinq <br /> was used to determine the variation and diatribution of soil <br /> properties across the preperty. In addition to the field <br /> investiqation, U.S.D.A. Soil Conservrtion Service soil <br /> Survey maps were exam;ned to determine the mappinq unit(s) <br /> for the property accordinq to this aqency. <br /> Soil color descriptions in thie report are based on the <br /> three spectral variables: hue (the dominant spectral color) , <br /> value (the relative briqhtne�:� of color) and chroma (a <br /> measure of the purity of color) (Buol et al. 1980) . <br /> Alphanumeric values were assigned to these spectral <br /> variables using the notation of the Munsell Color System <br /> (Munsell Color 1475j . <br /> Soils were examined for hydric soil indicatora within the <br /> upper 18 inches of the profile. Hydric soil indicators <br /> include, but ara not limited to, 1) qley, 2) mottlinq in a <br /> low chroma matrit , 3) histic sail horizons, and 4) saturated <br /> or inundated conditions. Gley is the presence of qray, <br /> greenish qray, or bluieh colore in the soil. Gley indicates <br /> that soil conditions are anaerobic for sufficient time that <br /> iron occ��rs in a reduced form. Mottlinq in a low chroma <br /> matrix is the occurrence of "apots'� of contrastinq soil <br /> colors within a soil that has a low chroma matrix color. <br /> Low chroma 1s defined as havinq a chroma less than or equal <br /> to 2, accordinq to etandard Munsell notation, and indicates <br /> colors of low purity, or gray colors. The presence of <br /> mottles in a low chroma matrix indicates alternatinq <br /> oxidized and reduced conditions, or alternating saturated <br /> and unsaturated soil conditions. A histic soil horizon is a <br /> horizon dominated by organic soil material. In most cases, <br /> organic soils are indicatora of very poorly to poorly <br /> drained conditions. Histic horizons typically develop on <br /> • sites with nearly conatantly saturated conditions, since <br /> anaerobic conditions associated with saturated conditions <br /> retard the decay of plant materials. Saturated or inundated <br /> soil conditions are an indicator of hydric soils. Howevar, <br /> recent weather conditions must be taken into account, as <br /> intense precipitation can produce saturated or inundated <br /> conditions in an otherwiae non-hydric soil. <br /> While hydric soil moTpholoqy can be an indicator of watland <br /> soil, it does not by itself dafina a soil, or area, as <br /> wetland. Drained hydric soils that cantinue to exhibit <br /> hydric morphology but are no lonqer flooded or saturated for <br />