Fe-Mn concentrations in upland loess soils in mid-continental north America: A step towards dynamic soil survey

Iron-manganese (Fe-Mn) concentrations are common morphological indicators of soil oxidation-reduction reactions and widely used to infer hydrology. The factors determining occurrence distribution Fe-Mn at the continental scale have been rarely studied. objective this study was explore in upland loess soils identify their favorable environment conditions mid-continental North America. A total 3966 profiles were collected from National Soil Information System database (NASIS). decision tree (DT) model analyze spatial relationships between concentration formation its relevant environmental (climate, properties, land use/land cover), key soils. DT evaluated with 25% validation dataset an accuracy 79%. Results showed that more likely occur mesic areas large precipitation low internal drainage rates, compared frigid thermic rates. Annual temperature identified as most important climatic influencing a complex interaction properties multiple scales. related potential wet saturated also for concentrations. demonstrated importance using knowledge pedogenesis selection covariates interpretation results. Understanding where tend form landscape will contribute improving decisions about proper use may be limited by wetness possible inferences climate influences.