Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

200
Soil texture
Texture is a fundamental soil property influencing key characteristics
such as drainage and water storage. Soil texture is determined by
the relative proportions of the different sized particles which make up
the soil, sand having the largest particles and clay the smallest, with
silt somewhere in between. Soils are usually named according to their
constituent particles or texture – for example sandy loam or clay. Soils
may also be referred to as heavy (clays) and light (coarse textured) to
indicate their ease of cultivation.
Clay, sand and silt particles all impart distinctive qualities to the feel
of the soil, which enable soil texture to be assessed by hand (hand
texturing). In reality, most soils are made up of a combination of
different particles, but in general terms:
– sands generally feel coarse and gritty
– silts generally feel smooth and/or soapy
– clays generally feel sticky or plastic
Further advice and information on soil texture can be found in Natural
England Technical Advice Note 52: Soil texture
9.8 Site design
Site design should take account of
– soil type
– depth of open water area
– routes for water movement across the site
– risk of erosion during early establishment or successional stages
– planning consents, licenses and permissions
Soil augering and soil
samples at Cayton and
Flixton Carrs, Scarborough
(N. Droy)