UAE Soils

Soil is the natural medium for the growth of land plants, whether or not it has discernible soil horizons. People consider soil important because it supports plants that supply food, fibers, drugs, and other human needs and because it filters water and recycles wastes. For purposes of classification, the lower boundary of soil is arbitrarily set at 200 cm. All terrestrial life ultimately depends on soil, energy, and water. Soils have always been central to human civilization and life. They are an integral part of the physical and cultural environment, and we may take them for granted and even tend to treat them contemptuously.

A soil horizon is a layer generally parallel to the soil surface, whose physical characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath.

Soil profiles are described according to the different soil layers that may be identified within each profile. These layers are called master horizons, and are allocated one or more letter codes, each of which has a specific meaning. The capital letters A, B, C, R, are used to designate master horizons in classifying the soils of the UAE.

A horizons are mineral soil horizons that show an accumulation of humified organic matter or show signs of cultivation.

B horizons are mineral soil horizons that show evidence of illuvial concentration of silicate clay, gypsum, carbonates, iron, aluminum, humus, silica, or sesquioxides alone or in combination or have a structure other than a rock structure.

C horizons or layers lack the properties of the A or B horizons and may be little affected by pedogenic processes.

R layers are strongly cemented to indurated bedrock.

Soil horizons, properties and materials are intended to reflect features which are widely recognized as occurring in soils and which can be used to describe and define soil classes.

A vertical section of the soil from the ground surface downwards to where the soil meets the underlying rock.

It is the smallest, three-dimensional unit or volume of soil that contains all the soil horizons of a particular soil type. It usually has a surface area of approximately 1 square meter and extends from the ground surface down to bedrock.

What are pedology and edaphology?

Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment including their origins, physical and chemical characteristics, and classification.

Edaphology is concerned with the influence of soils on living things, particularly plants.

Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment including their origins, physical and chemical characteristics, and classification.

Edaphology is concerned with the influence of soils on living things, particularly plants.