Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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Soil Landscape Illustrations of the Atlantic Provinces

Soil Landscapes evident around us are the product of soil forming factors acting on surface geological deposits over time. Factors influencing soil formation (or soil development) include kind of parent material, topography (or surface form), climate, vegetation, time and of course the activities of man. The surficial deposit which comprises the parent material of soil is characterized by its physical and chemical properties such as soil texture (or mix of sand, silt, clay), reaction and salinity. This material is shaped by geomorphic processes operative during deposition to its present surface form. The resultant forms of these materials are further influenced by the prevailing climate and vegetation which it supports over time to develop soils which reflect the intensity and geographical distribution of the above factors.

Soil landscapes, vegetation, and associated soil profiles

Regosolic marine landscape
Regosolic marine profile
Regosolic alluvial landscape
Regosolic alluvial profile

Ferro-humic Podzol landscape
Ferro-humic Podzol profile

Humo-ferric Podzol landscape
Humo-ferric Podzol profile

Placic Podzol landscape
Placic Podzol profile

Eutric Brunisol landscape
Eutric Brunisol profile

Gray Luvisol landscape
Gray Luvisol profile

Gleysol landscape
Gleysol profile

Rockland landscape


Source: SLC Illustration poster