Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

History of Soil Studies in Nevada

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Soils of Nevada

Part of the book series: World Soils Book Series ((WSBS))

  • 326 Accesses

Abstract

Nevada has a rich and long history of soil investigations, which began with the Soil Survey of the Fallon Area in 1909 by the Bureau of Soils and continued with the mapping of all or portions of all 16 counties in Nevada under the leadership of the Soil Conservation Service and later the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This chapter traces the history of soil surveys, briefly describes the nature of soil research, and highlights the Orovada soil series, Nevada’s official state soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams KD, Wesnousky SG (1999) The Lake Lahontan highstand: age, surficial characteristics, soil development, and regional shoreline correlation. Geomorphology 30:357–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander EB, Nettleton WD (1977) Post-Mazama Natrargids in Dixie Valley. Nevada Soil Sci Soc. Am. J. 41:1210–1212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amundson RG, Chadwick OA, Sowers JM, Doner HE (1989a) Soil evolution along an altitudinal transect in the eastern Mojave Desert of Nevada, U.S.A. Geoderma 43:349–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amundson RG, Chadwick OA, Sowers JM, Doner HE (1989b) The stable isotope chemistry of pedogenic carbonates at Kyle Canyon. Nevada Soil Sci Soc Am J. 53:201–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin M, Kellogg CE, Thorp J (1938) Soil classification. Soils and Men. U.S. Dep. Agric. Yearbook. U.S. Govt. Print, Washington, DC, pp 979–1001

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn PW (2000) A history of soil survey in Nevada: a compilation of short stories commemorating the 100th anniversary of the soil survey program. http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed 04 Nov 2018

  • Blank RR, Young JA, Lugaski T (1996) Pedogenesis on talus slopes, the Buckskin Range, Nevada, USA. Geoderma 71:121–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brock AL, Buck BJ (2005) A new formation process for calcic pendants from Pahranagat Valley, Nevada, USA, and implication for dating Quaternary landforms. Quat Res 63:359–367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brock AL, Buck BJ (2009) Polygenetic development of the Mormon Mesa, NV petrocalcic horizons: geomorphic and paleoenvironmental interpretations. CATENA 77:65–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick OA, Davis JO (1990) Soil-forming intervals caused by eolian sediment pulses in the Lahontan Basin, northwestern Nevada. Geology 18:243–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick OA, Hendricks DM, Nettleton WD (1987) Silica in duric soils: I. A depositional model. Soil Sci Soc Am J 51:975–982

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick OA, Hendricks DM, Nettleton WD (1989) Silicification of Holocene soils, in northern Monitor Valley. Nevada. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 53:158–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick OA, Nettleton WD, Staidl GJ (1995) Soil polygenesis as a function of Quaternary climate change, northern Great Basin, USA. Geoderma 68:1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, O.A. 1984. A soil chronosequence at Terrace Creek: studies of late Quaternary tectonism in Dixie Valley, Nevada. US Geol. Surv. Open-File Rep. 84–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott PE, Drohan PJ (2009) Clay accumulation and argillic-horizon development as influenced by aeolian deposition vs. local parent material on quartzite and limestone-derived alluvial fans. Geoderma 151:98–108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst WG, Van de Ven CM, Lyon RJP (2003) Relationships among vegetation, climatic zonation, soil, and bedrock in the central White-Inyo Range, eastern California: a ground-based and remote-sensing study. GSA Bull. 115:1583–1597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner R (1972) Origin of the Mormon Mesa caliche, Clark County. Nevada. GSA Bull. 83:143–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gile LH, Peterson FF, Grossman RB (1966) Morphological and genetic sequences of carbonate accumulation in desert soils. Soil Sci 101:347–360

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harden JW, Taylor EM, Hill C, Mark RK, McFadden LD, Reheis MC, Sowers JM, Wells SG (1991a) Rates of soil development from four chronosequences in the southern Great Basin. Quat Res 35:383–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harden, J.W., Taylor, E.M., McFadden, L.D. and Reheis, M.C. 1991b. Calcic, gypsic, and siliceous soil chronosequences in arid and semi-arid environments. In: Nettleton, W.D (Ed.) Occurrence, Characteristics, and Genesis of Carbonate, Gypsum, and Silica Accumulations in Soils. SSSA Spec. Pap., No. 26, pp. I–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper WG (1957) Morphology and genesis of Calcisols. Soil Sci Soc Am 21:420–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marion GM (1989) Correlation between long-term pedogenic CaCO3 formation rate and modern precipitation in deserts of the American Southwest. Quat. Res. 32:291–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison RB (1964) Lake Lahontan: Geology of the southern Carson Desert, Nevada. US Geol Surv. Prof. Pap. 401, 156 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Nettleton WD, Brasher BR, Spencer EL, Langan LN, Peterson FF (1986) Differentiation of closely related Xerolls that support different sagebrush plant communities in Nevada. Soil Sci Soc Am J 50:1277–1280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nettleton WD, Witty JE, Nelson RE, Hawley JW (1975) Genesis of argillic horizons in soils of desert areas of the southwestern United States. Soil Sci Soc Am J 39:919–926

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reheis MC, Kihl R (1995) Dust deposition in southern Nevada and California, 1984-1989: relations to climate, source area, and source lithology. J Geophys Res 100(D5):8893–8918

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reheis MC, Sowers JM, Taylor EM, McFadden LD, Harden JW (1992) Morphology and genesis of carbonate soils on the Kyle Canyon fan, Nevada, USA. Geoderma 52:303–342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reheis, M.C. 2003. Dust deposition in Nevada, California, and Utah, 1984–2002. USGS Open-file Rep. 03-138. 11 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Richmond GM (1986) Stratigraphy and correlation of glacial deposits of the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Plateau and the ranges of the Great Basin. Quat. Sci. Rev. 5:99–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robins CR, Brock-Hon AL, Buck BJ (2012) Conceptual mineral genesis models for calcic pendants and petrocalcic horizons. Nevada. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 76:1887–1903

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff (1975) Soil Taxonomy, a Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys. Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S. Dept. Agric. Handbook, vol. 436. U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, DC. 754 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff (1999) Soil Taxonomy: a Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys. 2nd edit. Agric. Handbook, vol. 436. U.S. Govt. Print. Office, Washington, DC. 869 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Springer ME (1958) Desert pavement and vesicular layer of some soils of the desert of the Lahontan Basin. Nevada Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 22:63–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (retired), Elko, NV, USA

    Paul W. Blackburn

  2. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (retired), Reno, NV, USA

    John B. Fisher

  3. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (retired), Reno, NV, USA

    William E. Dollarhide

  4. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (retired), Boulder City, NV, USA

    Douglas J. Merkler

  5. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (retired), Reno, NV, USA

    Joseph V. Chiaretti

  6. Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin (retired), Madison, WI, USA

    James G. Bockheim

Authors
  1. Paul W. Blackburn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John B. Fisher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. William E. Dollarhide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Douglas J. Merkler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Joseph V. Chiaretti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. James G. Bockheim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul W. Blackburn .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Blackburn, P., Fisher, J., Dollarhide, W., Merkler, D., Chiaretti, J., Bockheim, J. (2021). History of Soil Studies in Nevada. In: The Soils of Nevada. World Soils Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53157-7_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation