Våtmarkjord

Våtmarkjord, also known as hydric soil, is a soil that forms under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop distinct anaerobic (oxygen-poor) properties. These conditions are typical of wetlands, marshes, swamps, and bogs. The key characteristic of våtmarkjord is the presence of hydric soil indicators, which are physical, chemical, or biological features that demonstrate prolonged saturation.

Common indicators include the presence of a histic epipedon (a thick, organic surface layer), gleying (grayish or bluish colors caused by the reduction of iron compounds in anaerobic conditions), redoximorphic features (mottling, which are patches of different colors indicating fluctuating water tables), and specific plant communities adapted to saturated soils. The anaerobic environment inhibits the decomposition of organic matter, leading to its accumulation. It also affects nutrient cycling, often making nutrients like phosphorus less available while nitrogen can be lost through denitrification.

Våtmarkjord plays a crucial role in ecosystems. It filters water, removing pollutants and sediments. Wetlands also act as important carbon sinks, storing significant amounts of organic carbon. Understanding våtmarkjord is essential for wetland delineation, land use planning, and ecological restoration efforts. The formation and characteristics of våtmarkjord are directly linked to the hydrological regime of an area.