LOCATION KOGISH                  AK

Established Series
Rev:WDL/RWG/JPM
05/2022

KOGISH SERIES

The Kogish series consists of very deep, poorly and very poorly drained soils that formed from decomposing organic material derived mainly from sphagnum moss. Kogish soils are in muskegs on nearly level terrace and bench-like landforms along valley floors. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 120 inches, and mean annual temperature is 45 degrees F.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Dysic Sphagnic Cryofibrists

TYPICAL PEDON: Kogish peat-open muskeg on a 3 percent slope at 200 feet elevation. (All colors are for moist soil)

Oi1--0 to 3 inches; undecomposed sphagnum mosses with lesser amounts of sedges, twigs, and leaves.

Oi2--3 to 6 inches; very dusky red (2.5YR 2/2) peat, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/3) pressed; dominantly sphagnum moss; 90 percent fiber unrubbed, 80 percent rubbed; many fine, common medium roots; extremely acid (pH 3.6); clear wavy boundary.

Oi3--6 to 12 inches; very dusky red (2.5YR 2/2) peat, dark reddish brown (2.5YR 2/4) pressed; dominantly sphagnum moss; 90 percent fiber unrubbed, 80 percent rubbed; many fine, common medium roots; extremely acid (pH 3.6); clear smooth boundary.

Oi4--12 to 22 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) peat, light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) pressed; dominantly sphagnum moss; 80 percent fiber unrubbed, 75 percent unrubbed; common fine, few medium roots; extremely acid (pH 3.4); gradual smooth boundary.

Oi5--22 to 56 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) peat, very pale brown (10YR 7/4) pressed; dominantly sphagnum moss; 80 percent fiber unrubbed, 75 percent rubbed; common fine roots; extremely acid (pH 3.6); clear smooth boundary. (Combined 0i horizons: 36 to 56 inches thick)

Oe1--46 to 78 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) mucky peat, dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) pressed; 50 percent fiber unrubbed, 30 percent rubbed; extremely acid (pH 3.8); clear smooth boundary.

Oe2--78 to 84 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) mucky peat; few medium wood fragments; extremely acid (pH 3.8).

TYPE LOCATION: Hollis Area, Alaska. 1 1/2 miles from No. 200 road on No. 270 road, Harris River Valley. E 1/2, NW 1/4, SE 1/4, Sec. 17, T. 74 S., R. 83 E., Copper River Meridian.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: More than three fourths of the organic material in the surface layers is composed of sphagnum moss. These layers range from 36 to 50 inches thick. There are up to 15 percent woody fragments. Mean annual soil temperature is about 38 to 42 degrees F. Mean summer soil temperature is about 46 degrees F. The soils are never frozen below a depth of 2 inches in most years due to maritime influence. pH is extremely acid throughout the control section.

The organic layers have hue of 2.5YR, 5YR, 7.5YR, or 10YR, value moist from 2 through 7, and chroma moist from 2 through 6.

COMPETING SERIES: There are no known competing series.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Kogish soils occur in open muskegs on terraces and bench-like landforms of valley floors. They formed in organic material derived mainly from sphagnum moss. The climate is humid maritime with mean annual precipitation of 60 to 220 inches. The mean annual temperature is 45 degrees F. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent. Elevation ranges from 0 to 900 feet.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Kaikli, Karta, Kina, Maybeso, St. Nicholas, Tolstoi, and Wadleigh series. Kaikli and Maybeso soils are forested muskegs; Kaikli overlies bedrock, Maybeso overlies glacial till. Karta and Wadleigh soils are mineral soils developed in till on hillslopes and drumlinoid areas. Kina soils are in open muskegs, dominated by hemic material, and are underlain by mineral material or bedrock at depths greater than 51 inches. St. Nicholas and Tolstoi are shallow, mineral soils overlying bedrock on hillslopes.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Poorly and very poorly drained. Rapid permeability. Slow runoff.

USE AND VEGETATION: The Kogish soils are used for watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Overstory vegetation is sparse, but is dominantly lodgepole pine. Understory vegetation is dominantly labrador tea ledum, bog rosemary, black crowberry, and sphagnum moss.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Southeast Alaska. The series is of minor extent.

SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (SSRO) RESPONSIBLE: WASILLA, ALASKA

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Hollis Area, Alaska, 1969.

REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon include: organic material from 0 to 84 inches; more than three fourths sphagnum material from 0 to 56 inches; pH of less than 4.5 (in 0.01m Calcium Chloride) throughout; a cryic temperature regime.

The Kogish series formerly classified as a dysic, frigid Typic Sphagnofibrist. Soil temperature data and maritime influence does not support a frigid temperature regime.

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National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.