A sapric is a subtype of a histosol[According to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources and similar soil classification systems] wherein virtually all of the organic material has undergone sufficient decomposition to prevent the identification of plant parts and even fecal matter.
Classification
The soils are deep, dark colored, and
Friability, often underlain by
marl, or marly
clay.
World Reference Base
The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) defines "sapric" (sa) as a histosol having less than one-sixth (by volume) of the organic material consisting of recognizable plant tissue within 100 cm of the soil surface.
Canada
Muck soils fall under the Organic Order in the Canadian system of soil classification.
Muck soils are organic soils, with a minimum of 30% organic matter and a depth of at least 40 cm.
United States
In the USDA soil taxonomy, sapric may be a subtype of a
haplohemist or
glacistel type, and may also be a diagnostic organic
soil material whose fiber content is less than one-sixth of the volume.
[ Muck soils are defined by the USDA NRCS as sapric organic soils that are saturated more than 30 cumulative days in normal years or are artificially drained.]
Use and vegetation
Muck soil is used for growing specialty crops such as , , celery, and .
Geography
Muck farming on drained swamps is an important part of agriculture in New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida, where mostly vegetables are grown. The muckland of Torrey Farms of Elba, New York, which covers the counties of Orleans, Niagara, and Genesee, is thought to be the largest continuous section of muckland in the world.
Conservation
Muck farming is controversial because the drainage of destroys wildlife habitats and results in a variety of environmental problems. It is unlikely that any more will be created in the United States because of environmental regulations. It is prone to problems. The soil is very light, so windbreaks are necessary to protect these fields in dry weather. It also can catch fire and burn underground for months. Oxidation also removes a portion of the soil each year, making it progressively shallower. Oxidation also discharges carbon dioxide. Some muck land has been reclaimed and restored as wetlands for wildlife preserves.
The impacts of drainage and agricultural production cause the loss of organic matter in muck soils through erosion, oxidation, and other processes collectively called "subsidence."
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Etymology
The word muck has much usage in the English language, referring in some cases to agricultural soil, and in others to dirt in general, and animal Feces (sometimes human feces) in particular. Origins are probably from Norse, Danish, and Proto-Germanic roots referring to cow dung.
See also
