Genesis of inceptisols on a volcanic landscape in taiwan
Journal
Soil Science
Journal Volume
166
Journal Volume
166
Journal Issue
4
Journal Issue
4
Pages
255-266
Start Page
255
End Page
266
ISSN
0038075X
Date Issued
2001-04
Author(s)
Abstract
Very little data are available regarding the genesis of Inceptisols derived from pyroclastic materials in Taiwan because most of the earlier research focused on Andisols. This study was conducted to explain the formation of Inceptisols derived from the pyroclastic material in northern Taiwan. Three pedons representing the summit, backslope, and footslope positions of a volcanic landscape were examined and sampled for physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. Results revealed that the soils were moderately developed and characterized by an A-BA-Bw-BC horizon sequence, loam to clay loam texture, firm and subangular blocky structure, low bulk density, high water, and P retention. The soils were very acid, with low exchangeable bases but very high exchangeable A1 as well as considerable amounts of Al associated with humus. Gibbsite and quartz were found to be dominant in the sand fraction, whereas gibbsite, kaolinite, and 2:1 minerals were the major minerals in the clay fraction. Formation of the soils was relatively fast because of the easy weather-ability of the pyroclastic materials, perhumid climate, and good drainage of the volcanic landscape. Since these Inceptisols possessed several Andic soil features, we hypothesize that they probably developed from earlier formed Andisols. Therefore, it is likely that the sequence of soil formation was Entisol→Andisol→Inceptisol. The most important soil-forming processes in the formation of the Inceptisols were likely structure formation, loss of bases and acidification, braunification, bioturbation, organic matter accumulation, weathering, and clay mineral formation.
Subjects
Andic soil features
Andisols
Entisols
Inceptisols
Sequence of soil formation
Volcanic landscape
SDGs
Type
journal article