A detailed study of Brown Earths Geoecology section

A detailed study of: Brown Earths Geoecology section

Draw, colour and label a soil profile of brown earth soils. (soil type named = 4 marks, soil profile = 4 marks) List the 5 factors influencing the formation of brown earth soils in Ireland? (Each factor named = 2 m = 10 marks) Write three key points for each factor? (5 factors x 3 details = 15 srps = 30 marks) ****if you have extra details use them Describe the appearance of the soil profile. (characteristics) The colour/texture/p. H, humus etc – 2 main descriptions of each horizon. (name of horizon= 3 x 2 m, description= 3 x 4 m= 12 marks) Name and explain the uses of and locations of brown earth soils in Ireland or elsewhere. (types of agriculture etc) 80 marks

Describe the formation of a soil type you studied Describe the characteristics of a soil type you studied

Details on Brown earth soils: • Factors influencing brown earth soils in Ireland. • Describing the soil profile and characteristics of brown earth soils.

Climate of Ireland: Cool, temperate oceanic climate (6 -15 C, 7501500 mm rainfall per year average) Natural vegetation: mixed deciduous forest Zonal soil: Brown earth soil (note higher rainfall and small climate variations in Ireland sees a difference in the water content and p. H of some Irish soils) Factors influencing brown earth soils: • Climate • Relief • Organisms / Vegetation • Parent Material • Time

Climate 1. Cool temperate oceanic climate. 2. 6 – 15 C temperatures average. 3. Mild conditions favour biological activity all year round. 4. Bacteria and fungi examples of micro organisms active in Ireland. 5. Average rainfall in some areas of 1500 mm. 6. Brown Earth soils found in areas with temps above 0 degrees for at least 9 months a year

Relief 1. Relief influences depth and drainage of the soil. 2. BES found on slopes are thinner and well drained due to soil creep and gradient. 3. Deeper soil at bottom of slope due to soil creep or other type of mass movement. 4. Relief important for temperatures. Higher altitude : lower temps : less biological activity. 5. 1 degree drop per 100 m climb. 6. Less animal activity on higher ground : less humus / humification. 7. Aspect important: north facing slopes colder and less biological activity so……

Organisms / Vegetation 1. Natural vegetation: mixed deciduous forest. 2. Main varieties include: oak, ash and chestnut. 3. Deciduous trees lose leaves in winter : plant matter for humification. 4. Presence and activity of micro organisms all year round: all year round humification. 5. Burrowing animals increase mixing of humus and soils increasing fertility. 6. Animals such as badgers, hedgehogs and rabbits dig burrows moving material from surface into lower horizons. 7. Movement and mixture of plant material and humus gives soil a general brown appearance and less obvious horizons.

Time 1. Last ice age ended in Ireland approx 10, 000 years ago. 2. Therefore soils tending to be approx this age. 3. Soils are mature but have local differences due to slope/climate changes etc.

Parent Material 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Parent material generally refers to underlying rock of soil. This is generally the source of minerals for soil as rock is weathered. Some parent material in Ireland as result of glacial deposition. This parent material is boulder clay (a mixture of clays and stones). Three main variations in brown earth soils in Ireland: Acidic brown earth soils – found in areas above 500 m. Generally lie above rocks with high crystal content like granite or sandstone. Acidic brown earth soils can be found in Comeragh mountain areas of Waterford. Sandstone rock underneath. Shallow brown earth soils – high in calcium. Found in limestone areas. Also known as Rendzina soil. Found in Burren, Co. Clare. Podzolised brown earth soils are slightly leached. Found in areas of glacial drift. 22% of country covered in Podzolised brown earth soils. Found in and around Dublin area. The A horizons of these soils are a pale grey colour.

• • • Crumb texture Well drained Slightly acidic Dark brown colour Very fertile

Brown Earth Soil Profile

Soil Profile • O Horizon; lot of organic matter, many animals (slugs, worms) and micro organisms (fungi, bacteria). • A Horizon; much humus, dark brown colour. • B Horizon; subsoil, light brown. • C Horizon; bedrock.

COLOUR • Brown soil • Colour due to presence of humus • Leaching washes some colour down through soil PH • Ranges from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic. • Changes due to temperature changes, rainfall differences and underlying rock around the country. • Ideal p. H range for bacteria. • Bacteria, fungi, organisms increase fertility by digging, decomposing. • Year round bacterial activity due to temperatures usually above freezing point.

HUMUS • • Rich in humus Natural vegetation of Ireland is deciduous forests Leaves add humus to soil Decomposed by organisms TEXTURE AND STRUCTURE • Loam texture (mixture of clay and sand) • Texture due to erosion of sedimentary rocks and spreading of river alluvium. • Crumb structure • Large air pores for air and water • Useful soil for tillage and pastoral farming

WATER CONTENT • Depends on local relief and drainage • Not too wet or dry due to structure and texture • Water content of brown earth soils encourages plant growth • Cool temperate oceanic climate provides 500 -2800 mm rainfall per year on average.

Humification • • • Fertile soil due to humification Decreases in winter due to lower temperatures Increases spring/summer due to higher temperatures Deciduous forests adds plant matter to soil for this process. Ideal temperature range for bacterial activity all year round. Leaching • • Rainfall year round Moderate amount of leaching Washes nutrients down through soil Waterlogging in some areas can cause brown earth soils to become gleys.

Uses of Brown Earth Soils • Cultivated for centuries • Now nourished with artificial fertilisers, manure and lime • Suitable for wide range of agriculture, tillage, pasture and forestry.