Biomantle Evolution and the Redistribution of Earth Materials and Artifacts

Johnson, Donald L.

doi:10.1097/00010694-199002000-00004

Cited by 202 publications

(140 citation statements)

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“…The persistence of tree throw gravel lags in a number of soils was noted by Johnson (1990). Schaetzl and Follmer (1990) found that tree throw mounds persist for more than 1000 years in Michigan and Wisconsin.…”

Section: Effects Of Individual Treesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Pedological memory in forest soil development

Phillips

Marion

2004

Forest Ecology and Management

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Individual trees may have significant impacts on soil morphology. If these impacts are non-random such that some microsites are repeatedly preferentially affected by trees, complex local spatial variability of soils would result. A model of self-reinforcing pedologic influences of trees (SRPIT) is proposed to explain patterns of soil variability in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas. SRPIT postulates that trees are preferentially established on patches that are nutrient-rich and rock fragment poor relative to adjacent sites. The biomechanical effects of trees on soil, and decomposition of roots then maintain and reinforce the rock fragment and nutrient differences relative to surrounding soils, increasing the likelihood of successful future tree establishment. The links hypothesized in the SRPIT model are dynamically unstable, which would be necessary for the self-reinforcing mechanisms to operate. Soil variability in 16 study plots is dominated by local, within-plot variability, pointing to highly localized biological effects and consistent with the SRPIT model. Within each 0.127 ha plot, 4-11 different series, and 4-9 different rock fragment classes were found. Of the 10 paired pits at each plot, 3-7 pairs had different series in pits typically less than 1 m apart. On average, each of the 16 plots had 6.3 different soil types, 6 different rock fragment classes, and 60% of the sample pairs differing in soil series. Richness-area analysis of soil series, and of rock fragment classes, both indicate that pedodiversity is dominated by within-plot rather than between-plot variability. The vertical variations in the concentration of rock fragments in 40 of 58 soil pits is consistent with redistribution of soil material by tree throw, and there is also evidence of rock fragment displacement by tree growth and deposition in stump holes. Overall, results suggest that soil morphological effects of individual trees are an important source of soil spatial variability in forests, and that such effects are non-random over time. Thus even relatively homogeneous areas may be characterized by tree-rich patches which support repeated generations of trees, and tree-poor patches which more rarely host trees. #

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Section: Effects Of Individual Treesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Pedological memory in forest soil development

Phillips

Marion

2004

Forest Ecology and Management

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“…Michie attributed this downward movement of shells into subplowzone horizons to bioturbation and gravity (for further studies on bioturbation and displacement of materials, see Cahen and Moeyersons, 1977;Moeyersons, 1978Moeyersons, , 1989Villa, 1982;Stein, 1983;Carter, 1990;Johnson, 1990;McBrearty, 1990;Mace et al, 1997;Van Nest, 1997;Leigh, 1998;Blackham, 2000;Van Nest, this issue).…”

Section: Bioturbation and Artifact Movementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Buried artifacts in stable upland sites and the role of bioturbation: A review

Balek¹

2002

Geoarchaeology

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Burial of artifacts in Holocene soils developed in pre‐Holocene sediments on stable uplands is commonly interpreted as resulting from post‐depositional accretion of sediment. However, soils are by nature dynamic and burial or displacement of artifacts can and does occur due to “normal” syndepositional and post‐depositional biomechanical pedogenic processes. This paper presents a review of the role of bioturbation in artifact burial. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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“…Soil adhering to the uplifted roots of uprooted trees eventually forms a mound adjacent to the original excavation (cradle-and-knoll topography). Soil horizons are disrupted and mixed together, the repeated action ultimately creating what has been termed a floralmantle (see reviews by Johnson, 1990;Johnson and Watson-Stegner, 1990;Wood and Johnson, 1978). Clearly, tree plowing is a process that can move existing particles (including artifacts) in any direction, bringing up materials from below as well as introducing surface materials to lower levels in the soil.…”

Section: Tree Plowingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the process continues, the absolute elevation of the soil surface changes little, except perhaps to rise slightly from increases of soil pore space due to burrowing. Theoretically, then, a three-tiered soil profile results, consisting of a fine-grained upper layer, a coarse-grained subsurface concentration of stones and artifacts (the stone zone), and the relatively unaffected materials beneath the stone zone (Johnson, 1990(Johnson, , 1993a(Johnson, , 1993bJohnson and Watson-Stegner, 1990;Johnson and Balek, 1991;Balek, 1995).…”

Section: Formation Of Size-sorted Biomantlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Activities of pocket gophers, which excavate burrows about 6 cm in diameter, have received perhaps the most attention recently (Erlandson, 1984;Bocek, 1986;Johnson, 1989Johnson, , 1990Johnson and Watson-Stegner, 1990). Western North American gophers concentrate large artifacts (Ͼ6 cm) but mix up smaller materials throughout the upper biomantle.…”

Section: Formation Of Size-sorted Biomantlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The good earthworm: How natural processes preserve upland Archaic archaeological sites of western Illinois, U.S.A.

Nest

2002

Geoarchaeology

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In western Illinois, many soil profiles developed into upland loess deposits (Peoria Silt) contain Archaic period artifacts greater than 3500 yr B.P. in stone zones below plow level. For artifacts in prairie and prairie-forest transition soils (not forest soils), depth distribution curves suggest they were buried in biomantles by small soil fauna. Artifacts of sizes archaeologists routinely collect generally move down while retaining fine-scale horizontal integrity. The process results in stratigraphic separation of Archaic and Woodland period components that otherwise would commingle at the surface. The characteristic distribution of known upland sites, narrowly rimming stream valley headwaters, reflects incomplete burial of materials on steeper forested slopes. On adjacent gently sloping upper shoulder segments of valleys where grassy cover more strongly influences soil development (and by inference on broad level uplands where true prairie soils occur), Archaic artifacts will be buried in the biomantle and go undetected by surface surveyors. ᭧

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Biomantle Evolution and the Redistribution of Earth Materials and Artifacts

Cited by 202 publications

References 0 publications

Pedological memory in forest soil development

Pedological memory in forest soil development

Buried artifacts in stable upland sites and the role of bioturbation: A review

The good earthworm: How natural processes preserve upland Archaic archaeological sites of western Illinois, U.S.A.

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