| Interrelated factors of soil, landscape, and hydrology were used to evaluate a hummocky wetland landscape complex. Sites were contrasted at three landscape positions: wetland interior, wetland edge, and upland. Soil development in this study depended on topographical position, stratigraphy, water table fluctuation, ground water geochemistry, and flow patterns.;Soil, well, and piezometer data were used to construct hydrographs and flownets to evaluate the complex ground water flow. This humid region, that annually received approximately 607 mm of precipitation, averaged 791 mm in 1997 and 1998. Upland sites exhibited less water table fluctuations than interior sites. Ground water mounds and depressions that developed at wetland edges resulted in numerous temporary ground water flow reversals. Flownet analysis showed that, during high water table periods, restored wetlands on the north transect partitioned the intermediate flow into two localized flow systems.;Ground water and soil extracts were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium carbonate equivalent, organic carbon, and major ions. Saturation indices were calculated for gypsum and calcite. Ground water was chemically classified as Ca-HCO3 or Ca-SO4 for the wetland interior, Mg-SO4 for the upland, and Ca/Mg-SO4, Mg-SO4, or Ca/Mg-HCO3 at the edge sites. Soils were non-sodic with sodium absorption ratios (SAR) less than 1.60, and EC values ranged from 2 to 16 dS m-1. Values generally increased from the upland to the wetland edge and decreased in the interior sites.;Wetland interior soils were very poorly drained Histosols with dominant ground water discharge. Wetland edge and upland depressional soil classification depended on dominant water flow and site stratigraphy. Sites with dominant recharge flow are classified as Typic Argiaquolls. Depressional sites with a fluctuating water table were classified as Typic Endoaquolls. Gypsum and calcite evaporites were commonly found in the interior and edge soils. Upland sites were Calciaquolls dominated by lateral flow.;Wetland restorations in August 1998 decreased surface water removal and altered the ground water flow. Wetland restorations on the north transect cause adjacent sites to be wetter throughout the year; a site below the restored wetland has visible seepage; and a zone of saturated soil surrounds the restored wetland. |
