Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3.2 Classification of soils with anthropic and plaggen epipedons in soil taxonomy
Order
Suborder
Great group
Subgroup
No. of soil series
Anthropic epipedon
Aridisols
Cambids
Anthracambids
Typic
0
Entisols
Fluvents
Torrifluvents
Anthropic
0
Inceptisols
Anthrepts
Plagganthrepts
Typic
0
Haplanthrepts
Typic
0
Ultisols
Humults
Kandihumults
Anthropic
0
Kanhaplohumults
Anthropic
0
Plaggen epipedon
Entisols
Psamments
Udipsamments
Plagganthreptic
0
Inceptisols
Anthrepts
Plagganthrepts
Typic
0
Spodosols
Aquods
Fragiaquods
Plagganthreptic
0
Humods
Haplohumods
Plagganthreptic
0
Orthods
Alorthods
Plagganthreptic
0
Fragiorthods
Plagganthreptic
0
3.5 Genesis of Anthropic and Plaggen Epipedons
The dominant process in the formation of anthropic and plaggen epipedons is
anthrosolization. Phosphatization is a secondary process in forming the anthropic
horizon as a consequence of repeated manure applications. [Note: phosphatization
also occurs in ornithogenic soils in bird rookeries.]
3.6 Summary
The anthropic and plaggen epipedons are diagnostic surface horizons resulting from
human activities, such as sustained occupation and manuring, manipulation of
surface topography, incorporation of artifacts, and cultivation as manifested by
spade marks. Both epipedons are mineral in origin, have dark colors, have abundant
SOC, and are moderately thick. The anthropic epipedon is recognized in ST at the
suborder level (Anthrepts), great-group level (Anthracambids), and subgroup level.
The plaggen epipedon is recognized at the great-group level (Plagganthrepts) and at
the subgroup level. However, to date no soil series containing an anthropic or
plaggen epipedon has been included in the OSDs. Of course many topsoils have
been cultivated, but a key criterion of ST is that normal soil mixing will not change
a soil taxon. Anthropogenic soils will soon be differentiated in ST at the subgroup
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