In the BKS South Channel maintenance project, we have a quick and extremely infrequent opportunity to see the subsoils on the preserve. We’re cleaning out the channel to insure that the marsh complex keeps its full functionality for use by the NBHCP’s Covered Species.
The photo shows an amazing striation of soils. The cut from grade to bottom is about 5.5 feet. Notice the top soil (a dark gray color) and then the very distinct hard pan (a lighter tan color). A soil scientist friend remarked that the gray soil is very roughly 100,000 years old and the parent material, the lighter tan color, is very roughly 300,000 years old.
This is a soil profile that we like to build a managed marsh complex in. Reasonable top soils to support vegetative growth, and a hard pan to help contain water. This is amazing stuff.