Soils of the Subarctic in the Lower Mackenzie Basin

Abstract

Nearly all of the medium- and fine-textured surficial materials are permanently frozen within one metre of the surface and have a hummocky micro-relief. Indications of physical disturbance due to cryogenic processes are ubiquitous, and organic matter distributions ranges from incorporated, relatively undecomposed material to mobile organic acids. On the other hand, well-drained coarse-textured materials have no permafrost and are characterized by Brunisolic soil development. Profile descriptions and characterizing analyses are discussed with respect to cryogenic soil-forming processes and soil classification. The suggestion is made that there is a need for re-evaluation of traditional concepts of soil development when dealing with permafrost soils of the Subarctic.