A6. Organic Bodies

For use in LRRs P (except for MLRA 136), T, U, and Z.

Presence of 2 percent or more organic bodies of muck or a mucky modified mineral texture starting at a depth ≤15 cm (6 inches) from the soil surface.

User Notes: Organic bodies typically occur at the tips of fine roots. In order to meet the Organic Bodies indicator, the organic carbon content in organic bodies must meet the requirements of muck or mucky modified textures. The size of the organic body is not specifically defined, but the bodies are commonly 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1 inch) in diameter. Many organic bodies do not have the required content of organic carbon and as a result do not meet this indicator. For example, organic bodies of mucky peat (hemic material) and/or peat (fibric material) do not meet the requirements of this indicator, nor does material consisting of partially decomposed root tissue. The Organic Bodies indicator includes the indicator previously named “accretions” (Florida Soil Survey Staff, 1992).