In Mexico and particularly in the state of Michoacan, the genesis,
morphology and function of hydromorphic soils has not been
sufficiently studied, despite having large areas of continental
wetlands such as the vadose region of Lake Patzcuaro. We studied two
wetlands representative of the shore of Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan.
One was permanently saturated with Gleysols development and the
other was had periodic flooding and fluvisols development in a large
floodplain. The results indicate the presence of haplic gleysol (colluvic,
eutric) (WRB, 2006), dark brown in color, with moderate amounts
of organic carbon (0.87 % average), clay> 30 %, predominant
structure of subangular polyhedra and prisms with segregation of
sesquioxides ferromanganese protruding from hypo-coatings of iron
oxides, and the presence of traces of ostracods throughout most of
the profile. Lithological discontinuity is prominent. The alluvial
wetlands contain haplic fluvisol (hyperhumic, eutric) (WRB, 2006)
with soil having a grayish brown matrix, a high content of organic
matter throughout the profile (> 7 %), and traces of ostracods. These
soils have a high base saturation (> 50 %). Three wet zones are well
defined within the soil: a lower permanent endosaturation zone,
an intermediate zone resulting from