Soil Hydrology and Reducing Conditions In Barrier Island Landscapes.

As the interface between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, barrier islands provide a key habitat for marine and terrestrial species that are dependent upon both ecosystems for portions of their life cycle, nesting, reproduction, and/or food sources.  Of particular ecosystem importance are freshwater ponds and wetlands found throughout the islands, however these environments and particularly the soils associated with them are relatively unstudied.  This study examines the morphology and hydrology of soils along topographic transects in different landform units.  Through this work we hope to understand how hydrology is reflected in the soil morphology and identify morphological properties that can be used to positively identify these hydric soils.  The study was conducted at Assateague Island National Seashore.  Representative transects were identified and instrumented with water table loggers and Indicator of Reduction In Soils (IRIS) tubes at three positions in each transect.  Soil morphology was described at each of these positions, with particular focus on hydropedological features and organic matter accumulation.