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A Study on Characteristics and Genesis of Soils in Eco-Floristic Zones, Doi Inthanon, Chiangmai Province
Thesis Abstract:
A study on characteristics and genesis of soils in eco-floristic zone was conducted at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiangmai Province, Thailand. Ten soil profiles in this area were selected for a detailed study on field morphology. Their physical and chemical properties, mineral compositions, and micromorphology were determined using pedons as sampling sites.
Results revealed that these solids were developed from residuum and colluvium of granite and gneissie granite rocks. All ten soils had deep to very deep profiles and were well-drained. The texture of profiles varied from sandy loam to clay with black to very dark grayish brown to red color. The percentage of water retention was moderately high to high, while bulk density was moderately low.
Clay coating materials were distinct in a form of ferri-argillan, characterizing an argellic horizon in all B horizons except profiles DI-1, DI-2, and DI-3. Profile DI-2, particularly, had formed a spodie horizon. Kaolinite was the dominant clay species in all profiles, except profiles DI-2, DI-5, and DI-10 which were dominantly gibbsite.
Quartz was the major primary mineral species with minor compositions of muscovite, chert, tourmaline, gibbsite, and feldspar. The soils had minor amounts of non-resistant weatherable minerals and were very strongly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction.
The organic carbon content and cation exchange capacities (CEC) of these soils were high at the surface and low in the subsoil. The base saturation of soils at low altitudes was more than that of the soils at high altitudes. The available phosphorus and potassium at the surface was higher than in the subsoil. The free iron oxide varied throughout the profiles.
The 10 soil profiles were classified into four orders. The alfisol soils were profiles DI-6 to DI-9. The utisol soils were profiles DI-4, DI-4, and DI-10. The inceptisol soils were DI-1 and DI-3. Profile DI-2 was classified as spodosols.
Most soils had an influence on vegetation, or, conversely, vegetation had an effect on soil properties with the same eco-floristic zone. This commonly resulted in significant correlation.