“The problem with today’s human footprint isn’t that there are cities; rather, it is the vast, unrelenting extent of humanity’s influence. Cities done well can be just what nature needs. ”
Soil Highlight from the NYC Soil Reconnaissance Survey
Laguardia and Other Architectural Fill Soils | Edgewater Road, Hunts Point along the Bronx River
LAGUARDIA soils, named after one of the greatest mayors in New York City history, are formed in human-transported materials (fill) with a significant amount of artifacts from construction debris.
Laguardia and other artifactual fill soils (Ebbets, Secaucus, and Breeze) comprise about 6% of the land area of New York City. Much of these soils are filled wetland and tidal marsh areas, such as Soundview Park in the Bronx that is now turf-covered parkland. But there are some “fallow” areas of Laguardia soils where you will find mugwort, mulberry, and Tree of Heaven, which can tolerate the soil conditions.
Laguardia soils generally have high pH values from the amount of concrete they contain and can have compacted layers and elevated contents of lead and other trace metals. A large volume of coarse fragments in these soils can detract from their water and nutrient holding capacity.
That said, in some areas, away from foot traffic, these soils can have high infiltration rates and provide good storm water management.
Laguardia soils generally harbor a unique biodiversity and can sequester unusually high amounts of carbon, especially in the form of more resistant black carbon which is prevalent in cities.
These soils can also serve as an archive of human cultural history.
