Soil Formation Rates Scoping Study
Read the full reportSoil formation in Wales is influenced by various factors including climate, organisms, relief, and parent material, with soil production rates generally below 0.193 mm/year. Dominant soil types like brown soils, surface water gleys, and podzolic soils are shaped by specific formation processes. The report highlights the critical need to balance soil erosion rates with soil formation to ensure sustainable soil management and calls for improved data on soil formation and erosion rates specific to Wales.
Soil formation in Wales is influenced by various factors including climate, organisms, relief, and parent material. Soil production rates in Wales are generally less than the upper figure of 0.004 – 0.193 mm/year.
Brown soils, surface water gleys, and podzolic soils are the dominant soil types in Wales, each associated with specific soil formation processes and parent materials.
Soil production rates vary significantly based on parent material, with rates for consolidated rocks (e.g., granite, sandstone) ranging from 0.01 to 0.2 mm per year.
Soil erosion rates need to be balanced with soil formation rates to ensure sustainable soil management.
The report highlights the need for improved data on soil formation and erosion rates specific to Wales.
Recommendations for policy implementation
- Enhance soil monitoring programs to include soil formation rates.
- Develop policies to mitigate soil erosion, especially in agricultural practices.
- Promote land management practices that enhance soil formation, such as reducing tillage and increasing organic matter inputs.
- Integrate soil formation data into land use planning and agricultural policy to ensure long-term soil health.