Joanna Opyrchał
Geographical Studies, Issue 135, 2013 , pp. 21 - 40
https://doi.org/10.4467/20833113PG.13.021.1549The paper presents results of research on the properties of soils developed on rhyolites in the Kamienne Mountains (Sudetes). It exhibits soil diversity of the area which is relatively poorly studied in the field of soil typology. The research focuses on morphology and physicochemical properties of soil profiles whose localization varied in terms of: position on slope, slope angle and aspect, vegetation and elevation. Although the parent material is relatively homogeneous, a significant diversity of soil properties was observed. Shallow profiles and coarse fragment content usually exceeding 65% typify soils developed from rhyolites in the Kamienne Mountains. Most of the investigated soil profiles distinguish themselves with a colour of 5YR and 7YR which are characteristic for rhyolite regolith. A high organic matter content noted in these soils is a result of the influence of climatic conditions and vegetation type, and also a quantitative impact of coarse fragment content in the soil profile. The occurrence of podzolization process is conditioned by high permeability and very acidic pH. owever, Podzols can be found only in specific morphological situations, in places where significant amount of fine fractions is accumulated. The observed large diversity of soil properties diversity can be attributed to topography, slope angle and some morphogenetic processes. The influence of climatic conditions, varying with the elevation, and vegetation type can also affect soil properties.