Solonetzic soils in North America are unique to the Canadian prairies, found primarily in Alberta and Saskatchewan. These soils can be identified at the surface by patches of exposed “burnouts,” which lack topsoil entirely. Solonetzic soils are clay-rich and have a high sodium content, minimal to no topsoil and a 5-30 cm thick impermeable hardpan. Impermeable as in roots and water can’t penetrate. Therefore, nothing grows, seeds are washed away with rain, and any growth is highly susceptible to drought.
Sound like a healthy, carbon-rich environment? Not yet!
Follow along as we work to restore this depleted soil to a beautiful grassland teeming with vegetation, happy bugs and lots and lots of sequestered carbon!
Solonetzic soils of Canada: Genesis, distribution, and classification
