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The Soils of Iceland: A Comprehensive Guide to Iceland's Unique Soil Types

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The Soils of Iceland (World Soils Book Series 9)

by Duncan James

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20539 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	200 pages

Iceland is a land of contrasts, with glaciers and volcanoes, hot springs and ice caves. The country's soils are just as diverse, with a wide range of types found across the island. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the soils of Iceland, including their formation, classification, and distribution. We will also discuss the factors that influence soil development in Iceland, such as climate, vegetation, and geology.

Soil Formation in Iceland

The soils of Iceland are formed from a variety of parent materials, including volcanic ash, lava, and glacial till. The climate of Iceland is cold and wet, which slows down the rate of soil formation. However, the island's active volcanoes provide a constant source of new parent material, which helps to create new soils.

The vegetation of Iceland is also a major factor in soil formation. The island's plant cover is dominated by grasses, mosses, and lichens. These plants help to protect the soil from erosion and add organic matter to the soil.

Soil Classification in Iceland

The soils of Iceland are classified according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). The WRB is a global soil classification system that is used to classify soils all over the world. The WRB classifies soils into 32 different Reference Soil Groups (RSGs). The RSGs are based on the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties.

The most common RSGs in Iceland are:

Andosols: Andosols are soils that are formed from volcanic ash. They are typically dark in color and have a high organic matter content.
Cambisols: Cambisols are soils that are formed from glacial till. They are typically brown in color and have a moderate organic matter content.
Cryosols: Cryosols are soils that are formed in cold climates. They are typically frozen for most of the year and have a low organic matter content.
Histosols: Histosols are soils that are formed from organic matter. They are typically dark in color and have a high organic matter content.

Soil Distribution in Iceland

The soils of Iceland are分布广泛. Andosols are found in the highlands of Iceland, where they are formed from volcanic ash. Cambisols are found in the lowlands of Iceland, where they are formed from glacial till. Cryosols are found in the mountains of Iceland, where they are formed in cold climates. Histosols are found in the wetlands of Iceland, where they are formed from organic matter.

Factors Influencing Soil Development in Iceland

There are a number of factors that influence soil development in Iceland. These factors include:

Climate: The climate of Iceland is cold and wet, which slows down the rate of soil formation. However, the island's active volcanoes provide a constant source of new parent material, which helps to create new soils.
Vegetation: The vegetation of Iceland is also a major factor in soil formation. The island's plant cover is dominated by grasses, mosses, and lichens. These plants help to protect the soil from erosion and add organic matter to the soil.
Geology: The geology of Iceland is also a major factor in soil formation. The island is made up of a variety of different rock types, which weather into different types of soil. For example, volcanic ash weathers into andosols, while glacial till weathers into cambisols.

The soils of Iceland are a diverse and complex resource. They are formed from a variety of parent materials, under a variety of climatic conditions, and with a variety of vegetation types. The soils of Iceland are essential for the country's agriculture and forestry industries. They also provide a habitat for a variety of plants and animals.

The Soils of Iceland (World Soils Book Series 9)

by Duncan James

5 out of 5