Soils of the European Union - European Soil Portal - Europa

Following the approach of the FAO (2001) Reference Soil Groups can be arranged to sets, based on their dominantidentifiers i.e. major soil forming factors (Table 1., Appendix 2.). When looking on soils from the viewpoint of the mostimportant soil forming factors, we can observe the main patterns of soil formation in Europe (Figure 3.1)In this view three main drivers dominate soil forming processes in the EU. More than four fifths (~ 84%) of the area of theEU is mainly influenced by the (sub-)humid temperate climate, the topography/phisiograhy of the terrain or by the limitedtime of soil formation.The largest spatial extents (with over 30% of the land areas of the EU) have those mineral soils, of which the developmentis mainly conditioned by the climatic effects of the sub-humid temperate regions.The second most widespread set is that with less developed mineral soils (Cambisols), with 26.71% share from the totalarea. Topography dominating soil formation of mineral soils on 26.52% of the land surface of the EU. However, most oforganic soils (set 1, Histosols, 6.48%) are developed on flat lands as well, thus under the strong influence of (leveled)topography. However, main feature of Histosols is the high organic matter content, and therefore are considered as aseparate set.30.736.480.084.70Organic soilsMineral soils whose formation was conditioned by human influencesMineral soils whose formation was conditioned by their parent materialMineral soils whose formation was conditioned by the topography/physiography of the terrainMineral soils whose formation was conditioned by their limited ageMineral soils whose formation was conditioned by (sub-)humid tropical climate3.680.840.2626.52Mineral soils whose formation was conditioned by arid and semi-arid climateMineral soils whose formation was conditioned by the climate: steppe and steppe regions26.71Mineral soils whose formation was conditioned by the climate of (sub-)humid temperate regionsFigure 3.1 Share of soil sets by dominant identifiers in the European Union (%)The dominating influence of parent material is evident on less than 5% of the areas having similar extent to those zonalsoils which receive strong influence of continental (steppe region) climate. The importance of all soil forming factors in thegenesis of soils has to be emphasized; for example, topography and parent material play a key role in the formations ofsteppe soils as well (e.g. Chernozems develop on level land). However soils in these set can only be found under specificclimatic zone. Aridity (and the particular chemical composition of the soil solum) is a prerequisite for the genesis of soils inthe 7 th set which occupies approximately 0,80% in the EU. Another soil formation process is driven by the warm and(sub)humid climates. Acrisols found in these regions – having a small share of 0.26% in the EU’s total soil resourcescontributegreatly to the pedological and ecological diversity of Europe.There is hardly any part of the EU which is free from human impact, including soil management since ancient times.However, Anthrosols, where man has taken the role of dominating soil forming factor can be delineated only in limitedareas in the continental scale soil survey (0.08%).11