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The Woodland Education Centre
The Heathland Restoration Project
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Site Soil Characteristics

Soil profile of the Heathland Restoration Project area.

Soil Profile

 

The substrate on the project site is composed of a thin topsoil overlying greensand and chert. I

 Soil pH measurements carried out in 1997 varied from 4.0 - 5.0 across the area.

 

Soil pH levels across the site (1997)

Section

Number

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

pH

value

4.0

4.4

4.6

5.0

4.8

4.4

4.3

4.4

4.0

 

(The Trust is indebted to Mr. M. Wallwork of Exeter College, Exeter, Devon, for the soil pH values quoted.)

Acid soils (in the ecological sense - all soils with a pH below 7 are technically acid) have pH values of below 3.8. Leaching of soils by rainwater tends to increase soil acidity by removing alkaline compounds in the upper layers. It is likely that leaching effects will in time, reduce the pH values of the soil on the site to more acidic levels.

 

>> Continue to Site diagram and habitat management methods

 

 

Ecological Survey 2001
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