Histosols
Histosols - Dark soils that have slightly decomposed to well decomposed organic materials derived from the sedges, grasses, leaves, hydrophytic plants and woody materials ( root ist from the Greek histos for tissue. These soils dominantly are very poorly drained and occur in low-lying areas, like swamps, coastal marshes or deltas. They occur in many environments from Alaska to the tropical islands. In cold regions the low temperatures retard organic matter decomposition and in warm regions the soil is saturated. Histosols form many areas of valuable wetlands. If drained they decompose rapidly but are valuable agronomic soils for vegetables or turf. The diagnostic feature is the Histic epipedon.
Histosols are organic soils that form in areas of poor drainage. Their profile consists of thick accumulations of organic matter at various stages of decomposition.