• Based on the density of soil series within 5 km of the
shorelines, all five of the Great Lakes have a high level of
pedodiversity. The pedodiversity is related to a variety of
parent materials, strong climate gradients, and pronounced vegetation gradients.
• From an examination of seven published soil chronosequences from the GLCZ, soils derived from sandy dunes,
beach ridges, and lake terraces begin as dune lands and
upon dune stabilization (i.e., no blowouts) evolve to
Typic Udipsamments and after 4,000 yr develop a weak
spodic-like horizon, becoming Spodic Udipsamments.
Spodosols require approximately 7,000 years to form.
• Key environmental problems in the Great Lakes region
are (i) reductions of the water levels from withdrawals
and human-caused climate change; (ii) pollution from
point-source, nonpoint-source, and atmospheric sources;
(iii) the introduction of invasive species; and (iv) degradation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• The protection of soils in the GLCZ is an important part
of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by implementing
conservation practices that benefit water quality, protect
watersheds and the coastal zone from non-point source
pollution, and restore wetlands.
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15 Conclusions