Proposed classification for human modified soils in Canada: Anthroposolic order

Abstract

Naeth, M. A., Archibald, H. A., Nemirsky, C. L., Leskiw, L. A., Brierley, J. A., Bock, M. D., VandenBygaart, A. J. and Chanasyk, D. S. 2012. Proposed classification for human modified soils in Canada: Anthroposolic order. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 7–18. With increasing anthropogenic activity, the areal extent of disturbed soils is becoming larger and disturbances more intense. Regulatory frameworks must incorporate reclamation criteria for these disturbed soils, requiring consistent descriptions and interpretations. Many human altered soils cannot be classified using the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC), thus an Anthroposolic Order is proposed. Anthroposols are azonal soils, highly modified or constructed by human activity, with one or more natural horizons removed, removed and replaced, added to, or significantly modified. Defining features are severe disruption of soil forming factors and introduction of potentially new pedogenic trajectories. Disturbed layers are anthropic in origin and contain materials significantly modified physically and/or chemically by human activities. Three great groups are defined by presence of anthropogenic artefacts and organic carbon content. Six subgroups are based on a cover soil layer with higher organic carbon content than the profile below it, on depth of disturbance, on drainage characteristics and water regime at the site. Some new phases and modifiers, in addition to traditional ones used in the CSSC, are based on chemical and physical properties and origins of anthropogenic artefacts. The proposed classification has been successfully applied to reclaimed profiles and is ready for widespread field testing.

Amendments and substrates to develop anthroposols for northern mine reclamation

“…A few studies have been conducted to use these waste materials to build soils, also known as anthroposols, for reclamation. Anthroposols are soils that have been altered by human activity; they include soils that are built for reclamation using various materials such as organic wastes (Naeth et al 2012). Research found that waste materials mixed with organic and inorganic amendments differed in their effects on vegetation, and those effects changed over time Naeth 2005a, 2005b;Drozdowski et al 2012;Naeth and Wilkinson 2014).…”

Correction: Proposed revision to Canadian System of Soil Classification: broaden taxonomic criteria for applying LFH horizons to include nonforest soils

“…Through agricultural land use, humans are accelerating soil formation and transformation to a depth of 100 cm or more (Veenstra and Burras 2015). In addition, the proposed Anthroposolic order for CSSC is based on humancaused disturbances to soils, and these soils can occur on agricultural landscapes if the disturbance goes beyond typical tillage that can be accounted for with the "p" suffix in the CSSC (Naeth et al 2012). Therefore, the increasing effect of humans on soil genesis over time suggests that classifying soil LFH horizons based on human-caused management practices (e.g., agriculture) is justified.…”