Soil Descriptions
Descriptions of soil map units arranged physiographically (i.e. according to where it occurs in the landscape)
Bare areas of unaltered coral gravels #
Bare areas of unaltered coral sands #
Bare areas of unaltered coral sands and gravels #
Bare sandy flats that form lagoonside re-entrants #
Permanent bodies of standing water #
Pulaka pits have been artificially constructed and comprise a flat-floored depression excavated to the level of the water table (pit) surrounded by an elevated rim (spoil bank). The immediate substrate (parent material) of both the pulaka pit and the spoil bank are not stratigraphically in place - the pit is dug below the natural soil profile level into unmodified parent material, and the former natural surface and its soil have been buried by the spoil bank. #
Riparian fringes of the enclosed lagoons #
These soils result from the interaction of humus, guano and water with a parent material of calcareous and or gravel. With the exception of Niulakita, where phosphatic soils cover three-quarters of the island (and phosphate has been mined), phosphatic soils are found in relatively small patches - invariably associated with Pisonia-Hernandia woodland - and nowhere do they occupy more than 5 per cent of island area #
These soils result from the interaction of humus, guano and water with a parent material of calcareous gravel. With the exception of Niulakita, where phosphatic soils cover three-quarters of the island (and phosphate has been mined), phosphatic soils are found in relatively small patches - invariably associated with Pisonia-Hernandia woodland - and nowhere do they occupy more than 5 per cent of island area #
These soils result from the interaction of humus, guano and water with a parent material of calcareous sand or gravel. With the exception of Niulakita, where phosphatic soils cover three-quarters of the island (and phosphate has been mined), phosphatic soils are found in relatively small patches - invariably associated with Pisonia-Hernandia woodland - and nowhere do they occupy more than 5 per cent of island area #
These soils result from the interaction of humus, guano and water with a parent material of calcareous sand. With the exception of Niulakita, where phosphatic soils cover three-quarters of the island (and phosphate has been mined), phosphatic soils are found in relatively small patches - invariably associated with Pisonia-Hernandia woodland - and nowhere do they occupy more than 5 per cent of island area #
Typically associated with the interior part of the islands, particularly the larger more compact islands. Often there is a gradual transition from light to dark soils away from the coast, although in places there is an abrupt break associated with a landform or vegetation change. #
Typically associated with the interior part of the islands, particularly the larger more compact islands. Often there is a gradual transition from light to dark soils away from the coast, although in places there is an abrupt break associated with a landform or vegetation change. Different textures not mapped. #
Typically found around the periphery of most islands and are developed on the younger, recently accumulated sands and gravel deposits #
- Lgs Light sandy gravel
- Lg Light gravelly
- Ls Light sandy
- Lsg Light gravelly sand
- Lsl Light loamy sands
- Lsm Light muddy sands
