Soils 205

Project 2
Alan Berry
Introduction: The Idaho County, Idaho pedon is a Molly series soil located in the rural and mountainous
region of the northern Idaho panhandle. This pedon is specifically located within the Clearwater National
Forest, close to the boundary of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area, and northwest of the town of
Orofino, Idaho. Temperature of this region has an average annual air temperature of 4.4 C, and an
average annual precipitation of 89 cm (USDA-NRCS 2001). The Molly series consists of soils that
formed in material weathered from granite, gneiss, and schist with an admixture of loess and volcanic ash
in the upper part. Typical uses of a Molly series soil include timber production, recreation, wildlife
habitat, and watershed protection (USDA-NRCS 2001). The timber grown on it could include grand fir,
western red cedar, western white pine, Douglas fir, and western larch. Below this timber, other vegetation
often grows, creating a shrubby understory of plants like huckleberry and dogwood. The pedon
specifically sampled here is situated on a northwest facing slope of 24% and an elevation of 1034 meters
(USDA-NRCS 2001). A north-facing slope that holds snowpack longer into the spring, increasing
moisture, helps to explain the presence of tree and shrub species such as cedar and huckleberry, which
require more moisture than many nearby, more arid, vegetative communities.

Soil Properties:The soil present at this location is a coarse loamy, isoticAndicDystrocryept (USDANRCS 2001). Inceptisols are relatively young soils, with low horizon development in the subsoil
(McDaniel n.d.). The Dystrocryeptsoil types more specifically is found in conifer forests with poor water
holding capacity due to the presence of shallow bedrock (McDaniel n.d.). The soil series Molly, here
found in Idaho County, Idaho, is formed by the weathering of two different types of parent material. The
described pedon begins with a short organic layer of two present O horizons - an Oi and an Oe, composed
mostly of needles and other coniferous litter (NCSS 1970a). Following are three Bs horizons, from depths
of 0-28 cm, with a subordinate distinction of sulfur indicating the presence of a high amount of iron. The
lack of an A horizon is an immediate cue that this is a relatively unfertile, undeveloped soil. Lastly, there

are four C horizons, all composed of soft bedrock, as indicated by a subordinate distinction of R on the
last one (NCSS 1970a). This change in parent materials is typical of Northern Idaho, from upper horizons
developed of mostly ash with some loess, to a granitic soft bedrock below.This granitic influence
contributes a change in the physical and chemical properties of the soil, giving it coarse, sandy, and acidic
properties.
The formation under two different types of parent material has formed distinctly different values
in some of the physical properties of this soil. Within the B horizons, all textural classes are some type of
loam, but then increase in particle size to more sandy soils formed in the granitic soft bedrock (Table 1
below). The presence of a silt loam in one of the upper horizons indicates the potential for high erosion
problems. This increase in particle size can also be seen in the very low bulk densities within the top three
horizons (under 1 g/cm3) increasing to within the normal range below that (1.5-14. g/cm3) (Table 1). Ash
parent material has formed small particulates, loamy still, but with very low bulk densities. Despite this
textural and density change, the Plant Available Water (PAW) within this profile is high, ranging from
0.18 to 0.23 cm H20/m soil (Table 1). Additionally, this soil does not exhibit a high shrink/swell potential,
with all percentages below 3%, no limitations exist. This is caused because there are no expansive 2 to 1
type minerals present, only presence of Kaolinite, Vermiculite, and Mica. Despite consisting partially of
soft granitic bedrock, rock fragments within the mineral soil horizons peak at 8%, which will not limit
any land uses(NCSS 1970b).

Table 1.Physical properties of the Idaho County, Idaho, Molly pedon. Includes mineral soil horizons with
textural classes (determined through laboratory particle size analysis), bulk densities, Plant Available
Water (PAW), and the Shrink/Swell potential as a percentage of the whole soil COLE. All data drawn
from Pedon # 701D049001 Primary Characterization Report (NCSS 1970b).

Physical Soil Properties

Horizons Depth (cm) Textural Class
Bulk density (g/cm3) PAW (cm3/cm3) Shrink/Swell Potential (%)
Bs1
0-8
Loam
0.75
0.18
1.8
Bs2
8-20
Loam
0.81
0.13
0.0
Bs3
20-28
Silt Loam
0.82
0.17
0.4
2C1
28-53
Coarse Sandy Loam
1.56
0.24
0.8
2C2
53-66
Fine Sandy Loam
1.52
0.26
2.3
2C3
66-94
Fine Sandy Loam
1.42
0.24
1.4
2Cr
94-150
Fine Sandy Loam
1.43
0.23
1.9

In addition to textural classes, bulk density, plant available water, and shrink swell potential, the
permeability and depth of water table are physical properties that affect land use. The change in the bulk
densities throughout the soil profile likely explains the moderate permeability of the profile (USDANRCS 2001), which given the good drainage capacity of this soil, could be high permeability if there was
not an ashy presence of smaller particle size on top. While no gleying indicative of a water table is present
within these upper 150 cm, the presence of mottles in the soil profile indicate that water table depth here
sometimes reaches up to 53 cm (NCSS 1970a), typical of an undeveloped soil with soft bedrock in the
lower horizons.
The change in parent materials also greatly affects the chemical properties of this soil, such as
pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Percent Base Saturation (%BS), Total Nitrogen, and Carbon and
Organic Matter contents. No Electrical conductivity or Aluminum Saturation Percentage values were
available for this pedon. With pH levels around 6.2 in the top 28 cm of the profile and around 5.5 below
28 cm (Table 2 below), the change in parent material can be seen. We would expect the granitic
subhorizons to be acidic, but the top acidic horizons are also characteristic of the coniferous forest
ecosystem. Cation Exchange Capacity levels are huge (all above 20 cmol/kg) in the top three ash-derived
horizons (Table 2), due to the smaller particle sizes greater surface area available for substitutions.
Below, CEC drops to are around 5 cmol/kg (Table 2), exhibiting the much larger particle size found in
granitics. Lacking an A horizon, we would not expect this soil to be high in the necessary plant nutrients
that would be considered fertility. Nitrogen levels are 0.2% in the top mineral soil horizon, decreasing to

0.8% immediately below that (Table 2), highlighting the process of organic matter litter being
incorporated slowly into the profile. Percent organic matter is high within the first 8 cm of the profile, at
10.6% (Table 2). Below 8 cm, however, the total organic matter drops to 3.4% and then to almost zero
below 28 cm (Table 2), again typical of a forested soil. While Carbon and Nitrogen levels are not
necessarily low in this soil, the acidity makes it unlikely that production of any plants other than acidadapted conifers is unlikely.

Table 2.Chemical properties of the Idaho County, Idaho, Molly pedon. Includes mineral soil horizons
with associated pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Percent Base Saturation, Nitrogen and Carbon
contents. Percent Organic Matter calculated as Percent Organic Carbon * 1.72. All data drawn from
Pedon # 701D049001 Primary Characterization Report (NCSS 1970b).
Chemical Properties
Horizons Depth (cm) pH
Bs1
0-8
Bs2
8-20
Bs3
20-28
2C1
28-53
2C2
53-66
2C3
66-94
2Cr
94-150

6.1
6.2
6.2
5.7
5.5
5.5
5.3

CEC (cmol/kg) % Base Saturation Total N (%)

Organic C (%) Organic Matter (%)
37.3
41
0.220
6.170
10.612
20.9
34
0.087
1.960
3.371
20.8
30
0.074
1.510
2.597
6.1
59
0.014
0.150
0.258
5.8
71
0.080
0.138
6.2
73
0.100
0.172
5.9
68
0.090
0.155

Land Uses:With a slope of 24% at this site, construction of a dwelling with a basement is limited (Table
3). Dwellings with basements are considered severely limited if they have slopes above 15%, due to
construction and logistical issues (USDA-NRCS 1993). Another factor that could have a large impact on
construction is the depth to the high water table. The mottling in Molly indicates that the water table can
reach a high of roughly 50cm from the surface. That gives this site a second Severe limitation for
construction of dwellings with basements (USDA-NRCS 1993). That is not to say that this site is all bad.
Other factors, such as depths to pan, or bedrock keep Molly out of even the category of a Slight
limitation (USDA-NRCS 1993). The soil is also nearly ideal to build upon when the Shrink/Swell
capability is considered. Molly, being composed of vermiculite, mica, and kaolinite, has very little
capacity to shrink. This helps it to be a very stable, consistent piece of ground upon which to build.
Overall, this site would be severely limited to build upon (Table 3 below).

Table 3. Land Use Suitability for the Idaho County, Idaho, Molly pedon.

Land Use Rating Table

Land Use
Dwellings With Basements
Paths and Trails
Grazing
Conifer Tree Farm

Rating
Severe
Moderate
Moderate
Slight

Limitation
Slope, Depth to Water Table
Slope, Depth to Water Table, Texture
Slope, Texture, Potential for Invasive Species Introduction
Slope, Texture

Paths and trails, however, are more easily constructed, and are limited by the normal slope
humans can walk up before they become too steep. A 24% slope is classified as a moderate limitation for
paths and trails (USDA-NRCS 1993), but is very close to the upper bound of 25%, indicating that
accessibility is limited. Although for wildlife it would be ideal, out of reach for the everyday camper or
hiker. We know that there is a limitation of ponds in the area having such a steep slope would create a
large amount of runoff from the area. Different outcomes from the runoff could happen but a moderately
frequent one is flooding of the molly soil. The molly soil also contains a water table between 1-2 feet, a
moderate limitation (USDA-NRCS 1993).Overall, this site would be moderately limited to build trails
upon (Table 3).
Grazing is an example of a land use much less limited by slopes than others. However, on this
site, the presence of nearby protected watersheds and an erosion potential need to be considered when
managing land uses here (Clearwater National Forest 2006). In addition to causing erosion, the Forest
Service is concerned with the potential for invasive species that bare ground created by trampling of
grazers produces (Clearwater National Forest 2006). Forage for wildlife is already available on this site,
typical understory plants of a moderately wet (89 cm per year average) coniferous forest. Large game
such as deer, elk, and black bear are known to inhabit the Clearwater National Forest (Clearwater
National Forest 2006), and graze here with impacts on the soil structure that are considered as natural and
acceptable. Overall, this site would be moderately limited for livestock grazing (Table 3).
Clearly, the current classification as a conifer forest indicates that conifers can grow successfully
on this site, and determination of suitability of this land as a conifer tree farm should be based upon

specific needs of the varieties of trees grown. In a project with an Ohio Christmas tree farm, the NRCS
determined that high clay contents and a high water table were causing mortality in some stands of a high
value conifer: Frasier Firs (Griffin n.d.). With low clay contents in the subsoil at this site (rather, high
sandy contents from granitic bedrock), excess clay is not a limiting production of conifers for sale on this
site. In addition to individual varieties needs, feasibility of access should be considered. The steep
terrain at this site (24%) and the surrounding areas would complicate the construction of infrastructure to
reach this site. This slope and the presence of silt loam in the top horizons should limit all commercial
activities due to the erosion potential here- management practices at least need to consider this. Overall,
the soil at this site causes only a slight limitation for use as a conifer tree farm (Table 3).

Conclusion:Having done the research and looked at all the possible land use options of this pedon we
have decided that the ultimate land use for this soil would be coniferous forest. This is the best choice for
this soil because of the slight limitations that it provides such as low clay content. Even though there are
some limitations, management practices should be enforced to ensure the health and sustainability of the
soil for future generations to come.

Works Cited:

USDA-NRCS. 12/2001. Soil Survey Division, Molly Coarse-Loamy-IsoticAndicDystrocryepts Official

Soil Series Description. USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. Accessed 12/2/14 from
<https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/MOLLY.html>
McDaniel, Paul. n.d. Taxonomy Inceptisols, Dystrocrepts. University of Idaho, College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences. Accessed 12/2/14
from<http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/inceptisols_04.htm>
National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). 1970. Site S1970ID049001 Pedon Description. National
Cooperative Soil Characterization Database. Accessed 10/30/2014 from
<http://ncsslabdatamart.sc.egov.usda.gov>
National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). 1970. Pedon # 701D049001 Primary Characterization Report.
National Cooperative Soil Characterization Database. Accessed 10/30/2014 from
<http://ncsslabdatamart.sc.egov.usda.gov>

USDA-NRCS. 1993. Soil Interpretations Rating Guide. USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
Technical Reference 620: 620-12, 620-41. Accessed 12/2/14 from
<https://bblearn.uidaho.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-745110-dt-content-rid6763920_1/courses/201410_13754/Part 620 Soil interpretations rating guides.pdf>
Clearwater National Forest. 08/2006. Evaluation Report: Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat. USDA Forest
Service Northern Region.
Griffin, R. n.d. Using GIS to create usable Christmas tree growing operations. USDA Natural Resource
Conservation Service. Accessed 12/1/14 from
<http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052342.pdf>