Variation in soil chemical properties along toposequences in an arid region of the Levant

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

HATTAR, B.I.

Dep. of land, Water and Environment, Fac. of Agriculture, univ., Jordanie

TAIMEH, A.Y.

Dep. of land, Water and Environment, Fac. of Agriculture, univ., Jordanie

ZIADAT, F.M.

Dep. of land, Water and Environment, Fac. of Agriculture, univ., Jordanie

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syrienne, Republique Arabe

Description :
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hillslope characteristics on the variation of selected soil chemical properties in an arid Mediterranean climate in Jordan. At each of 5 selected transects 4 sites were chosen to represent 4 different topographic positions: summit, shoulder, backslope and toeslope. A soil profile was examined at each site and a representative sample from each horizon was withdrawn for chemical analyses. The analyses indicated that variation in the soil CEC is governed by 2 factors: the leaching pattern, which is controlled by hillslope position, and the accumulation of Eolian carbonates at the soil surface. The distribution of iron oxides and types of clay minerals indicated more weathering in a descending direction and with soil depth, which is attributed to higher availability of soil moisture along the same direction. These relationships suggested systematic variation of chemical properties along toposequences in this arid environment.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2010, vol. 83, n°. 1, p. 34-45, nombre de pages : 12, Références bibliographiques : 40 ref.

Date :
2010

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais