Soils of the European Union - European Soil Portal - Europa

4.5 ArenosolsGeographical distributionArenosols cover approximately 145,000 km 2 corresponding to 3.61% of the land surface of the European Union. Majorareas of Arenosols are located on the north-eastern regions of the EU. However, certain regions in Central Europe, the UK,France, Portugal and Spain are also covered by Arenosols. In 340 cases Arenosols form the dominant soil reference group,in 1061 cases as associated soil and in 1,229 times as inclusions in the soil associations (of the continental scaleassessment).Three soil units of the Arenosol Reference Soil Group, dominated by Haplic Arenosol, are present in the EU (Table 4.5,Figure 4.5)Table 4.5 Area of the second level units of ArenosolsUnits in the Reference Soil Groupin the EUCodes ofsoil unitsArea in the EUkm 2Albic Arenosol ARab 4317Haplic Arenosol ARha 145354Protic Arenosol ARpr 106Albic Arenosols occur in two regions: in north-west Germany (Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein) and in the westernpart of Latvia. As associated soils in the former and as dominant soils and inclusions in the latter. The overall pattern ofArenosols (Map 4.5.) is very similar to its Haplic soil unit. Protic Arenosols are characteristic in a small area in the DanubeDelta (Romania).0.07%2.88%ARabARhaARpr97.05%Figure 4.5 Share of the second level soil units in the area of ArenosolsGlobal referenceArenosols are azonal soils with course texture to a depth of one meter or to a hard layer. They are developed both inresidual sands, in situ after weathering of old, usually quartz-rich soil material or rock, and in recently deposited sands asoccur in deserts and beach lands. Arenosols are present in all continents and cover around 7% of the earth surface(approximately 9 million km 2 ) thus being one of the most common soil group in the world.Arenosols in the Temperate Zone show signs of more advanced soil formation than Arenosols in arid regions. They occurpredominantly in fluvio-glacial, alluvial, lacustrine, marine or aeolian quartzitic sands of very young to Tertiary age.Soil formation is limited by low weathering rate and frequent erosion of the surface. If vegetation has not developed,shifting sands dominate. Accumulation of organic matter in the top horizon and/or lamellae of clay, and/or humus and ironcomplexes, mark periods of stability. Arenosols are easyly erodable with slow weathering rate, low water and nutrientholding capacity and low base saturation. However, the high permeability and easy workability qualifies these soils forhigh agricultural potential depending on the availability of water and fertilization.Many Arenosols correlate with Psamments and Psammaquents of the Soil Taxonomy. In the French classification system,Arenosols correlate with taxa within the Classe des sols minéraux bruts and the Classe des sols peu évolués. Otherinternational soil names to indicate Arenosols are siliceous, earthy and calcareous sands and various podsolic soils(Australia), red and yellow sands (Brazil) and the Arenosols of the FAO Soil Map of the World.20