ALPECOLE
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Slope processes and alpine soils

Overview: Factors influencing soil formation

 

Soils are the product of a complex interaction between the lithosphere, biosphere and the atmosphere leading to weathering processes. The main influencing variables are called soil formation factors. In the mountains, these factors often change dramatically within a short distance. There are special microclimates, the geology is very diverse (e.g. a rock fall lies directly beside a moraine), or the relief changes from a smooth plain to a rough mountain slope within a few hundred meters. Therefore, the soil formation factors and the corresponding soil types often vary considerably within a short distance.

1 - Main soil formation factors (image adapted after Burri, 1995)

Download PDF-file of main soil formation factors

 

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29 August 2011
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