Cryosolic soils have horizons where the soil temperature remains below 0°C throughout the year – more generally termed permafrost. In some soils the frost action causes considerable mixing of soil horizons, which is termed cryoturbation. In these soils the permafrost layer must be within 2 m of the surface. If no strong cryoturbation has occurred the permafrost layer must be within 1 m of the surface. Areas dominated by these soils are rare in Saskatchewan and occur only along the northern boundary of the province. Small areas of discontinuous permafrost can be found throughout the northern Boreal forest where cold conditions persist in particular landscape positions.
Three Great Groups occur in the Cryosolic Order.
These soils are formed primarily in Organic materials (peat) and have permafrost within 1 m of the soil surface.
Soils of the Turbic Great group show evidence of mixing of soil layers due to frost action and have permafrost within 2 m of the surface.
These soils lack evidence of cryoturbation and have permafrost within 2 m of the surface.
