Pedogenesis and Root Development in a Complex Geomorphologic Setting of the Faroe Islands

Studies of pedogenesis in basaltic soils within the cool, temperate zone were fairly limited. This study looked at pedogenesis and root development in Nororadalur of the Faroe Islands. To a large extent, soil physical and chemical characteristics were determined by sedimentological rather than pedol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Communications in soil science and plant analysis Vol. 38; no. 3-4; pp. 293 - 314
Main Authors:	Veihe, A, Thers, M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01-02-2007 Taylor & Francis
Subjects:	Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions altitude Basaltic soils Biological and medical sciences climatic factors Faroe Islands Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology General agronomy. Plant production geomorphology latitude pedogenesis phosphorus root development root growth root systems roots soil chemical properties soil fertility soil formation Soil genesis soil penetration resistance soil physical properties soil profiles Soil science Soil surveys, classification and mapping, soil genesis Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments vegetation Faroe Islands Atlantic Ocean Islands root development Geomorphology Soil fertility Basaltic soil pedogenesis Rhizogenesis Faroe Islands Soil genesis Basaltic soils
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Summary:	Studies of pedogenesis in basaltic soils within the cool, temperate zone were fairly limited. This study looked at pedogenesis and root development in Nororadalur of the Faroe Islands. To a large extent, soil physical and chemical characteristics were determined by sedimentological rather than pedological processes. Wind erosion plays an important role, and in spite of the homogeneity of the parent material, soil pedogenesis is highly varied. Soils were high in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and generally have a low base saturation, and the major soil-forming processes were strong weathering, intensive leaching, gleying, and humification. Decomposition of the organic material was good overall. Nitrogen content was low to medium in the mineralogic horizons but high in the peaty horizons. Total phosphorus was within the range typical of soils with a high organic fraction, and previous theories explaining the low carrying capacity regarding grazing as a result of a low nutrient content do not seem to apply. Root densities were as expected for grazing areas, but there was a huge variation in the root diameters as a consequence of microclimatic differences and associated differences in vegetation.
ISSN:	0010-3624 1532-2416
DOI:	10.1080/00103620601172266