Gelisol Suborders

Histels- Gelisols with large quantities of organic matterTurbels- Gelisols with evidence of extensive mixing by frost actionOrthels- Common gelisols that don’t have high quantities of OM or extensive mixing from frost action

Histosol Suborders~Folists- Histosols that aren’t saturated with water for long periods of

time during the year.

~Wassists- Histosols that are submerged for more than 21 hours a day

~Fibrists- Histosols that are primarily made up of slightly decomposed OM called PEAT

~Saprists- Histosols made up of highly decomposed OM called MUCK

~Hemists- Histosols made up of moderately decomposed OM

Spodosol Suborders• Aquods- Poorly drained Spodosols with a water table at or

near the surface for much of the year• Gelods- Spodosols of very cold climates (mean annual soil

temperature less than 0 degrees C)• Cryods- Spodosols of cold climates• Humods- Well-drained Spodosols that contain relatively large

quantities of OM• Orthods- Common Spodosols that don’t fit in any other

suborders

Andisol Suborders• Aquands- Andisols with a water table at or near the surface for

much of the year• Gelands- Andisols of very cold climates (mean annual soil

temperature less than or equal to 0 degrees C)• Cryands- Andisols of cold climates• Torrands- Andisols of very dry climates• Xerands- Temperate Andisols with very dry summers and moist

winters• Vitrands- Relatively young Andisols that are coarse- textured and

dominated by glass• Ustands- Andisols of semi-arid and sub-humid climates• Udands- Andisols of humid climates

Themes in the First 4 Main Orders

• Orth- doesn’t fit in any other suborder• Aqu- water table at or near the surface• Gel- very cold climates less than or equal to 0

degrees C• Cry- cold climates