Fox, C.A., C.M. Preston, C.A. Fyfe, 1994. Micromorphological and ¹³C NMR characterization of a Humic, Lignic, and Histic Folisol from British Columbia. Can. J. Soil Sci.74: 1-15.

Spatial interrelations of soil components and chemical compositions of thick folic upland forest materials from the Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone in British Columbia, Canada, are described. Micromorphological assessments of the spatial relationships of soil constituents, and solid-state 13C NMR data on chemical components of folic materials were used to characterize folic materials from a Lignic Folisol (Histosol) from northern Vancouver Island, a Histic Folisol from Prince Rupert and a Humic Folisol from Queen Charlotte Islands. Soil faunal activity, primarily from mites, was the dominant soil-forming process observed in organic horizons of Folisols, particularly for the breakdown of woody materials in the Lignic Folisol. NMR spectra distinguished 3 main horizon types: (1) those derived from accumulated residues (L, Fr, and Hr) showing high carbohydrate-like C and O-alkyl C values and low total aromatics contents; (2) those with advanced decomposition (Hr2, Oh1, and Hd) and higher alkyl C contents; and (3) those derived from ligneous material (Fw and Hdw) where total aromatic C exceeded carbohydrate-like C. Implications for adequate forest nutrition and growth were inferred.