PRAIRIE SOIL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

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Abstract
Prairies have been noted in several areas of Pennsylvania since the time of European settlement. Because very little is known about the soils of these areas, a prairie area in northwestern Pennsylvania was studied. The A horizon of the soils of this area is thick (mean of 55 cm), and many areas have colors dark enough to qualify as mollic or umbric epipedons. The organic matter content for the top meter of the soils was greater than reported for midwestern prairie soils of similar texture and drainage and probably reflects greater plant growth and/or a lower rate of decomposition as a result of cooler and more moist climatic conditions in northwestern Pennsylvania. The average opal phytolith content for the top 15 cm of the prairie soils was 21.1 Mg ha−1. The age of these soils, estimated from phytolith accumulation, is 2000 to 6000 years. This would indicate that prairie occupation and soil formation started during the late Hypsithermal (3000 to 7000 years ago) interval. The characteristics of these soils indicate an apparent developmental continuum, extending from the midwest to Pennsylvania, of increasing organic matter accumulation and leaching under prairie vegetation. Although developed under prairie grass, these soils do not meet the base saturation classification requirements of Mollisols and would be classified as Inceptisols (Umbrepts). © Williams & Wilkins 1995. All Rights Reserved.

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