Search

The investigation was carried out in the catena of Retisols within the Opalenica Plain. The aim of the study was to characterize the variation in texture of selected Retisols formed from ground moraine glacial till of Leszno Phase of Vistulian glaciation. The analyzed soils are characterized by a similar degree of soil material segregation, which is characteristic for the typical glacial till. Particle size distribution and granulometric indices lead to conclusion that soils located in the catena on summit and shoulder positions, have vertical texture distribution formed primarily by lessivage process. Sandy texture of eluvial horizons noted in the Retisol of the slope pediment can be a consequence of not only lessivage but also of slope forming processes that led to the appearance of lithic discontinuity. The cluster analysis using Ward’s method and 1-rPearson as the distance measure can be helpful for identification the lithogenic uniformity and/or non-uniformity of soil parent material.

Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2020. The Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System (BCCS): Defining coastal ecological sequences with catena codification to classify cross-shore successions based on interpretation of satellite imagery. Journal of Coastal Research, 36(1), 1–29. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Coastal classification is a complicated endeavor due to the complexity of coasts and the application of special purpose characterizations for a wide range of tasks. The conundrum of coastal classification in general is also partly related to variable definitions and uses of common terms such as coast, coastline, shore, shoreline, and seashore. This research effort was not aimed at replacing extant systems but rather investigating the possibility of using the new Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System (BCCS) to define or classify cross-shore ecological successions in coastal belts based visual analytics and cognitive interpretation of satellite imagery. Approximately 200 coastal images from equatorial to polar regions showed that specific types of ecological successions were repetitive and could be organized by dominant characteristics. Certain ecological characterizations were so prominent and common that they became identified as Archetypes, which included Barrier, Beach, Beach Ridge, Cliff, Coral Reef, Delta, Dune, Flat, Ice, Lagoon, Mountain, Rock, Till (Glacial Material), Upland, and Wetland. When several archetypes are sequentially linked together based on the cross-shore ecological interpretation of the imagery, a generalized or idealized common master sequence is created and deemed the Dominant Catenary Sequence (DCS; e.g., Beach-Dune-Wetland). The more detailed Coastal Ecological Sequence (CES) of a coastal belt, which is presented as a codification sequence, can be formulated by cognitively linking the Dominant Catenary Sequence with a numbered shore-parallel shape distinction and subscripted sub archetypes that further refine the archetypes present in the DCS. Overall, the BCCS was found to be an effective method for the classification of cross-shore ecological successions in coastal belts. Descriptive headers, extended captions, and Coastal Ecological Sequences are provided for randomly selected satellite images, with some examples shown in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic susceptibility (χ lf) is a sensitive, fast, and accurate technique to detect soil pedogenic processes and features, and can improve understanding of soil-forming factors. The aim of this study was to determine catenary groupings of geochemical segments by identifying the relationship between magnetic susceptibility and the soil-forming factors within and along the landscape. Soil physical and chemical properties, as well as soil mineralogy were evaluated in twenty-two topsoil samples from three different landscapes in southern Brazil. The bulk χ lf and frequency-dependent susceptibility (χ fd) were also measured, represented by i) air-dried fine earth (< n μm, χ lf ADFE) ii) after dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate treatment (χ lf CBD), and iii) the parent material (χ lf ROCK). Geochemical segments were grouped using multivariate analysis. Our results indicate that soil parent material and climate, are first order factors for the pedogenic enhancement of magnetic minerals. Magnetic susceptibility of air-dried fine earth (χ lf ADFE) is widely variable, from 11.00 to 2.075 × 10−8 m3 kg−1. χ lf was higher in soils developed on basalt, and much lower for soils developed on sandstone. χ lf ADFE also reveals a strong positive linear correlation with χ lf CBD (r = 0.96) and a moderate positive linear correlation with "free" and total Fe content (r = 0.49 and 0.69, respectively). The χ fd (< 2%) indicates samples in which either non-SP grains dominate the assemblage or where the SP fraction is <0.03 nm. After CBD dissolution there is an increase in χ lf values. The rate of iron weathering and iron release, driven by hydrolysis and oxidation, and reductive dissolution of magnetite affect the formation and/or persistence of secondary iron oxides in some of the soil transects. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis group soils from a) crest and upper slope locations, b) down slope and sandstone areas, and c) valley floors, indicating that magnetic susceptibility is an effective proxy for soil properties for grouping and identifying pedogenic/geochemical segments along a landscape of 360 km2. • Lithology, relief and climate conditions affect magnetic properties. • Magnetite did not dissolve completely under gleying conditions. • Magnetic measurements were effective to group and identify soil transects of different landscapes • Magnetic susceptibility can be used as a fast, cost-effective proxy for soil classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data have been presented on the microbial biomass content and on the abundances and taxonomic structure of bacterial and archaeal communities in the upper horizons of gray forest (Eutric Retisol (Loamic, Cutanic, Humic)) and alluvial-meadow (Fluvic Gleyic Phaeozem (Loamic, Pachic)) soils of the autonomous, transitional, and accumulative positions of the slope landscape, corresponding to the fallow, small-leaved forest, and meadow ecosystems. Soil microbial biomass was measured by DNA quantification and chloroform fumigation-extraction; the archaeal and bacterial abundances were estimated using the FISH method; and the structure of microbial communities was analyzed via high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (DNA metabarcoding). The microbial biomass and the abundances of metabolically active bacterial and archaeal cells correlated with the organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Ntot) contents, increasing along the slope from the autonomous to accumulative landscapes, and decreasing with depth throughout soil profiles. The alluvial-meadow soil of the accumulative landscape was characterized by a sharp decrease in the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia, as well as by the increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes compared to the gray forest soil of the autonomous and transitional positions. The number of operational taxonomic units and α-diversity indices correlated significantly with C/N, Corg, and Ntot and were almost independent of the soil pH. Thus, location in landscape (catena) determined not only the physicochemical but also the microbiological properties of soil, forming the spatial heterogeneity of the microbial community structure and abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background data for a generalized model of the distribution of 24 chemical elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, P, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, S, Si, Sr, Th, Ti, U, V and Zn) in soil catenas within the forest-steppe zone were obtained as a result of analysing total concentrations and mobile fractions of these elements in Chernozem-Planosol catenas (soil sequences down the slopes) within the catchment area (480 000 m2) of a U-shaped gully in Kurgan Region, Trans Urals, Russia. The data obtained on total organic carbon, particle-size distribution and pH in 51 samples from the soils studied allowed the identification of factors that controlled the vertical and spatial distribution of the chemical elements. Factors affecting chemical element migration were similar in Chernozems on interfluves and slopes, which together significantly differed from Planosols at the bottom of the gully. The chemical elements were ordered according to their mobility levels within Chernozems and Planosols as follows: Ca, Mn and Co > Ni and Pb > Ba, Cu, Na, Sr and Zn > Mg and V > Fe and Al > Cr, K and Rb > Si and Ti. Mobile Ca, Sr and to lesser degrees Ba and Mg were found mostly in the F1 fraction (weakly bound by acid-soluble carbonate compounds), while other chemical elements were more strongly held by the soils, particularly, mobile Mn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cu and Ca which were concentrated within the F2 fraction (bound by humic substances) and mobile Fe, Cr, Mg and Ba which occurred mostly within the F3 fraction (bound by Fe and Mn hydroxides). On the basis of the observed contents and migration factors of the 24 chemical elements, the studied Chernozem-Planosol sequence was defined as a 'low-contrast translocation catena'. • Mobility levels of 24 chemical elements in Chernozems and Planosols were assessed. • Mobile Ca, Sr, Ba and Mg is mostly associated with carbonate compounds. • Biophilic Mn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cu and Ca occurs mostly in complexes with humic compounds. • The studied Chernozem-Planosol sequence is a 'low-contrast translocation'catena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the potential of magnetic susceptibility measurements to discriminate different soil drainage classes in the Gandoman region, central Iran. Four soil drainage classes, comprising poorly drained (PD), somewhat poorly drained (SPD), moderately well drained (MWD) and well drained (WD), were identified, and a total number of 48 soil profiles were excavated and studied. The soil samples were collected from all studied profiles from the genetic horizons individually. Magnetic susceptibility was measured at both low (0.46 kHz) and high (4.6 kHz) frequencies. The crystallized and amorphous iron forms were also measured using citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite solution and oxalate-ammonium extracts, respectively. The highest magnetic susceptibility was observed in WD soils, whereas the lowest susceptibility was observed in PD soils. The results of the predictor models developed by discriminate analysis showed that the use of magnetic susceptibility and iron forms could correctly predict about 90.9, 78.6, 85.7 and 88.9% of all profiles in WD, MWD, SPD and PD classes, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that magnetic susceptibility could be applied as a marker for the discrimination of drainage classes in the study area. Magnetic susceptibility is thus a quickly accessible and low-cost indicator for soil drainage classes for landownerships and subsequent analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The local occurrence of red subsoils on the Late Pleistocene sandy deposits of the Northern European lowlands invites investigation into the formation and paleoenvironmental significance of these soils. According to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), these soils are classified as Rhodic Brunic Arenosols or Chromic Brunic Arenosols; however, because of their unclear origins, these soils are still not considered in the German Guidelines for Soil Mapping. We aim to characterize the genesis of these rubified soils by combining pedological findings with chemical analyses and micromorphological studies at four sites in southeastern Brandenburg, Germany. Our novel analytical approach differentiates pedogenic iron (hydr-)oxides using a combination of Fourier transform infrared-multiple internal reflection (FTIR-MIR) spectroscopy and sequential sample heating (from 21 °C to 100 °C, 250 °C, 500 °C, and 950 °C). Together with a comparison of synthetic iron (hydr-)oxides, the results of this analytical approach demonstrate that the mineralogy of these Rhodic Brunic Arenosols and Chromic Brunic Arenosols are characterized mainly by hematite; some goethite and minor amounts of maghemite are also present. Our results confirm recent findings from Jankowski (2013) that rubification is not primarily a relict process in Central European soils; consequently, the German Guidelines for Soil Mapping require revision. The high total iron contents in the rubified soils suggest strongly that the iron is allochthonous in origin, emphasizing the importance of lateral inputs of iron compounds in the genesis of these soils. This finding is highly consistent with the 'translocation catena ' concept (Sommer and Schlichting, 1997); i.e., the Rhodic Brunic Arenosols and Chromic Brunic Arenosols studied here formed due to inputs of allochthonous compounds. These rubified soils examined in this study share some genetic features with other soils described from Central Europe, such as the 'Lockerbraunerden' or the 'Ockererden'. Further research should focus on these commonalities and compare the genetic pathways of such soils to support the argument that these soils should be considered in a separate soil class in the German Guidelines for Soil Mapping. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Fuchserden frequently occurs on sandy substrates near former water bodies. • Lateral inputs of iron compounds are crucial for the genesis of Fuchserden. • Hematite causes the red coloration of the rubified horizons. • Rubification is not a relict process in the soils of Central Europe. • Pedogenic iron (hydr-)oxides are differentiated using FTIR-MIR & sequential heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embedded Markov chain (EMC) has long history in geological domains, particularly to define the most representative sequences from statigraphic logs. In other words, what is viewed as a meaningless and disordered stratigraphic layer stack can be reorganized in a meaningful sequence by using EMC. This method was transposed in this paper to obtain soil sequences from data retrieved from soil map made by authors, covering a part of the region of Traras (N.W. of Algeria) and containing 13 major soil types. Each major soil type occupies at least one polygon in the map and allow to establish soil adjacencies, which have been tabulated in a matrix regardless to the direction. Three EMC methods have been tested, Walker, Harper and Türk using Strati-signal software and to erect soil relationship diagrams (SRD) representing the most significant links between soils. Significant test is the main difference between the above mentioned three EMC methods. It has been shown that Harper method is quite insensitive to small number of transitions. Besides, all three methods agreed for one soil sequence made by four soils: lithics leptosols- cambisols chormics- cambisols calcarics- fluvisols representing theoretical catena the most representative to the study area. This soil sequence is relevant to the study region and even to the whole Mediterranean region, and is commanded by the topography and the Mediterranean bioclimate. Walker SRD is the most realistic but the most difficult to interpret because of the high number of soil links, Harper SRD gives interesting results. Although the results didn’t bring something new to the soil interpretation and soil pedogensis but EMC applied to a finer scale may highlights other hidden relationships between soils.

The morphological units that are part of the catena, are recognized in accordance with the response to the geomorphological and soil processes. The spatial relationship is the main unit between them. In this regard, the landscape patterns acquire a cascade type, and their main link becomes the zonal catena, which has specific stable features, reflecting the dependence of the complex of natural conditions and processes of latitude. However, clear-cut boundaries do not exist – they have spatial and temporal displacement, associated with the cyclical nature of the global climatic processes. The landscapes in these transition zones (ecotones) a priori can be considered unstable. The detection of ecotones boundaries provides the opportunity to divide natural zones to potentially stable and potentially unstable parts for planning measures on preventing the degradation of landscapes localized in them. The latitude of the ecotones localization can be determined through the connection of the radiation heat flux on land (R) with the normalized geographical latitude of the subboreal belt (x), which is described by the equation of the energy balance, expressed in the logistic function R = А / [1 + 0,72 exp(4,25 – Bx)] + C.

Abstract A catena of the Holocene soils and interstadial Bryansk paleosol has been studied within a small closed depression in the Kazatskaya Steppe site on the Central Russian Upland. This depression is located on the territory of the Central Chernozem Biospheric Reserve, Kursk region and presumably originated from suffosion processes. Our research is aimed at understanding of interrelations between the macro- and micromorphological characteristics, certain physical and chemical properties of the Bryansk paleosols, on one hand, and those of the superimposed Holocene soil on another, taking into consideration various conditions of the present-day microrelief. The studied catena is a typical component of the landscape and soil cover structure for watersheds of the Central Russian Upland. On the micro-elevation rising 80 cm above the micro-depression bottom, the Typical Chernozems (Haplic Chernozems) are developed, on the slope – the Leached Chernozems (Luvic Chernozems), and at the bottom – the Meadow Chernozems (Stagnic Chernozems). The upper humus horizons of the Holocene soil present in all sectors of the catena. The thickness of the Ah horizon increases slightly, whereas the AB horizon decreases toward the bottom of the depression. On the slopes and at the bottom of the depression, the Ah2 sub-horizon is replaced with the AE horizon, and the Bk horizon becomes carbonates-free and turns into the Bt horizon. The change of the "normal" profile of paleosol of warm interstadial in final phase of MIS 3 started already in the last stages of its formation. The Bryansk soil is heavily deformed by cryogenic processes during the Valdai glaciation maximum (the Vladimir cryogenic horizon, MIS 2). The secondary diagenesis of the Bryansk paleosol is related to the Holocene soil-forming processes. The Holocene soils are superimposed on the Middle Valdai Bryansk paleosol, transforming it in different ways in different sectors of catena. On micro-elevation the Holocene diagenesis is minimal and consists in fragmentation by mesofauna, additional penetration of carbonates in the upper horizon of the paleosol. At the bottom of the micro-depression the Bryansk paleosol is the most transformed, and the entire profile of the Bryansk soil turned into illuvial horizon of the Holocene meadow-chernozem soil. Highlights • The Bryansk paleosol (MIS 3) is studied in a microdepression of the Russian Upland. • Two stages of the paleosol transformation were detected. • Firstly, it was heavily deformed by cryogenesis during the MIS 2 glaciation maximum. • Secondly, diagenesis of the paleosol is related to the Holocene pedogenesis. • The Bryansk paleosol was differently transformed along the microdepression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andean highland ecosystems (known as paramos) have a great potential to store water and organic carbon, which fulfill the inherent functions associated to the regulation of carbon and water cycles, characteristics linked to their parent material (volcanic ash). However, paramos are at high risk of degradation associated with land use dynamics that affect organic carbon quality in the surface soil. Changes in vegetation cover, with transition from natural forest to tillage and then pasture, make the soil vulnerable to degradation by compaction, erosion, and carbon dioxide emissions associated with increased anthropogenic activity. Despite this cover change, information on soil carbon dynamics in paramos is scarce, impeding conservation management strategies in these ecosystems. This study evaluates the impact of different soil uses within a transect in the Guerrero paramo estimated from soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in the upper meter and carbon condition (expressed as stratification ratio, SR) in the surface soil. Carbon storage varied from 165.2 to 721.9 t ha−1 in the upper meter of soil with SR1(0-10/10-20cm) between 0.92 and 2.01 and SR2(0-10/20-30cm) between 0.99 and 2.05. Results of this study highlighted that in the fragile ecosystems than Andean paramos, the geomorphological position in relation to soil uses and management practices conditioned soil carbon availability, affecting pedogenetic processes. SR of SOC associated to anthropogenic intervention activities it does not indicate by itself C sequestration. In future researches it is necessary include additional parameters than net primary productivity and historic vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine areas are vulnerable to nitrogen (N) deposition because of low N-buffering capacity and limited ability to resist change. The objective of the study was to assess if >30 years of N deposition have resulted in a decline in exchangeable base cations (C B ) coupled with an increase of exchangeable aluminum (Al). We used soil and stream data sampled between 1982 and 2015 at Green Lakes Valley, Colorado Front Range to evaluate the change in an alpine catena . The C B in the surface horizons of the summit position decreased significantly from 45 cmol c  kg −1 in 1982 to 2.3 cmol c  kg −1 in 2015, while the exchangeable Al increased from 0.09 cmol c  kg −1 to 0.7 cmol c  kg −1 in the summit and from 8.9 cmol c  kg −1 to 10.5 cmol c  kg −1 in the toeslope. Spatiotemporal distribution of soil moisture along the catena exhibited the lowest values during the winter months because the temperature was below freezing. The soil moisture increased in early spring as soil-temperature rose. A Seasonal Kendall test (SK) showed that the soil moisture decreased along the catena by −0.007 m 3  m −3  yr −1 ( P  < 0.001). The soil moisture trend coincided with a soil temperature increase from the summit to toeslope of 0.68° yr −1 . Segmental SK analysis of acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC) measured in the outlet of the lake below the catena showed a decrease of −2.15 μeq L −1  yr −1 for the first monitoring period from 1982 to 1995, and an increase by 0.51 μeq L −1  yr −1 during the second monitoring period from 1995 to 2014. These trend analyses attest to the limited influence of the alpine soil system on the overall aquatic chemistry. Hence, a clear distinction should be made between the alpine soils and the terrestrial system (e.g., rock glacier, taluses, and screes). Most of the soils have little impact on the aquatic system, whereas other terrestrial features are more important in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vite (lives) of saints are useful ways of studying the beliefs and cultural practices of medieval and early modern society. Indeed, they often tell us more about the motives of their authors and patrons than about the actual lives of the saints they purport to depict. The early vite of Saint Pope Pius V are no different. Through a careful reading of these early vite, written from the late sixteenth century to the first decades of the seventeenth century, I will argue that in crafting an image of Pius as the true hero of Lepanto, his hagiographers provided an explanation for the Holy League’s victory. Rather than defeating the Ottoman Turks at Lepanto with superior weapons, it was the pope’s marshalling of divine assistance and the religiosity of the Holy League’s commanders and soldiers that won the battle. In creating this image, Pius’s hagiographers juxtaposed conflicting depictions of the two sides: the pious, disciplined, and zealous Christian soldiers, and the ambitious, faithless, and superstitious Turks. The goal of this negative portrayal of the Turks was to continue Pius’s call for action against the Ottoman Empire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A widely assumed limitation on the distribution of negative polarity items (NPIs) is that they must be c-commanded by a trigger. Scrutiny of this limitation reveals, however, that c-command by a trigger is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition on the distribution of NPIs. The failure of c-command to serve as the basis for an account of the syntactic distribution of NPIs is taken here as the impetus to pursue an alternative approach, one in terms of scope and linear order instead of c-command. A particular concept of scope is established that serves as the key notion for characterizing the syntactic relationship between NPIs and their triggers. Scope is defined in a dependency grammar (DG) theory of syntax in terms of scope domains. The catena unit plays an important role. Given the notions of scope put forward, it is possible to discern two conditions on the syntactic distribution of NPIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Catenary soils are still formed on karst hillslopes composed of pure dolomite rock. • The fundamental control on dolomite hillslope soil loss is the soil type. • The lack of large fissures in the dolomitic weathering crust results in no significant underground soil loss. Dolomite hillslopes are highly vulnerable to rocky desertification, but the linkages among soil type, runoff mechanisms, and soil erosion remain unclear. During four hydrological years (2018–2021), soil type, plot-scale hydrological and erosion behavior at the upper, middle, and lower slopes along the dolomite hillslope in karst regions of Southwest China were investigated. The results indicated that along the downward slope direction, the degree of soil development gradually increased, forming a typical soil catena pattern. The soil types along the downward direction on the dolomite hillslope gradually transitioned from Entisol to Inceptisol and to Semi-Alfisol. The Entisol was thin and gravelly, with the highest volume ratio of gravel of 75 %. In contrast, Semi-Alfisol was thick and clayey, with the highest volume ratio of fine soil of 97 %. The surface runoff coefficient of the upper slope was only 2.3 % because of the high water infiltration capacity of shallow and rocky soil, and the runoff generation mode was dominated by discontinuous infiltration–excess runoff occurring on rock outcrop patches. Due to the higher soil water content (mean value of 37 %) and frequently occurring lateral flow, the lower slope exhibited the highest surface runoff coefficient of 21 %, mainly as saturation-excess runoff. Catenary soils and their correspondingly divergent hydrological regimes led to average annual soil losses of 0.4, 0.8, and 2.8 t·ha−1·yr−1 at the upper, middle, and lower slopes, respectively. These results advance the understanding of the relationship between hydrology and erosion on karst hillslopes and provide theoretical support for further rocky desertification control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project is to develop a database, which is planned to include all available information on the use of the Bible in the patristic works of Migne's Patrologia Graeca. Utilization of the data will be available through a web page equipped with necessary tools for developing data mining techniques and other methods of analysis. The main aim of the project is to revive the catenae, the ancient exegetical tool for biblical interpretation.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is unevenly distributed in arable fields in undulated landscapes, but the chemical composition resulting from their turnover, transport and deposition processes is insufficiently known. Therefore, we aimed at disclosing the molecular-chemical composition of SOM in four different catenae at shoulderslope, backslope and footslope positions in arable fields in the Baltic Sea catchment, Europe. The backslope positions always had the lowest organic C-contents (Corg) (1.6…11.8 g·kg−1) and C-stocks (3.8…8.5 kg·m−2) compared to the shoulderslopes and footslopes (1.7…17.7 g·Corg·kg−1, 5.4…15 kg·Corg·m−2). In the SOM-poor backslope positions, the organic matter was characterized by relatively high proportions of carbohydrates, phenols + lignin monomers, alkylaromatic compounds, N-compounds and amides, indicating intensive microbial decomposition. By contrast, the footslopes had the largest Corg-contents (9.3…16.5 g·kg−1) and C-stocks (8.9…15 kg·m−2) in the catenae and particular enrichments in lipids, lignin dimers, sterols and free fatty acids. These relatively stabile SOM compound classes are interpreted as leftovers from erosive downslope transport and concurrent microbial decomposition, e.g., they are pronounced at backslope positions, followed by restricted microbial decomposition. This heterogeneous SOM distribution calls for an adapted soil management that reduces erosion and places amendments to field areas, such as the shoulderslope and backslope.

This manuscript presents a dependency grammar (DG) theory of answer fragments. The ellipsis mechanism implicated in answer fragments is called fragment ellipsis. The potential of a DG account based on the catena unit is probed, but found to be insufficient because it fails to account for certain cases involving in-situ focusing, e.g. Institutional WHAT is hindering progress? - Authority. Therefore, an alternative account is produced, one that identifies four constraints on answer fragments, two that pertain to the elided material and two that pertain to the remnants that survive ellipsis. These four constraints then predict the shape of answer fragments to a large extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil catenas represent a major environmental gradient that shape vegetation structure (e.g. as reflected in changes in the distribution of tree height, basal diameter and crown diameter) and spatial patterns in savanna landscapes. However, determining the mechanisms behind vegetation patterns remains challenging since distinct processes like species interactions and environmental factors can promote the formation of similar patterns. Here, we combine quantitative analyses of vegetation structure and tree morphology with spatial point pattern analysis to understand the impact of catena gradients in a savanna ecosystem. We focused on changes in the density, structure and spatial pattern of Acacia polyacantha along a catena gradient. We sampled three 50 m × 50 m plots in the upper, middle and bottom sections of the catena. The cartesian coordinates of all the trees in the plots were recorded using the ruler method. Variables such as height, canopy cover and basal diameter for each tree were measured. Tree height, basal area and canopy cover were compared across the slope using one-way analysis of variance. Spatial point-pattern of the trees was explored using both Ripley’s K- function and the pair-correlation function. Intraspecific interactions were also inferred from nearest-neighbour analysis. Trees were of highest basal area, height and canopy cover in the bottom section of the catena compared with both middle and upper sections. As expected, trees showed some regular distribution in the bottom section of the catena at scales between 8 and 10 m which is similar to the mean nearest neighbour distance. Contrary to the expected clustered distribution in the upper section of the catena, regular distribution was noted between 1 and 5 m and 9 and 11 m. The fact that trees were larger for all measured variables in the bottom section of the catena than in the middle or upper, support the findings of other studies where eluviation and illuviation resulted in nutrient rich soils at bottom of catena that support high plant growth. We conclude that both topography and negative density dependent play an important role in shaping the structure and spatial point-pattern of A. polyacantha . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For an improved understanding of metal behavior in soils, studies on geochemical changes occurring in a specific grain-size fraction during pedogenesis and lateral translocation of soil material are needed. In the present research we analyzed the concentrations and vertical distributions of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ti, Zr in coarse and medium sand fraction of the major soil types of the middle Protva basin, situated in the mixed forest zone of European Russia, and described patterns of downslope (lateral) distribution of metals in the humus horizons along two catenas and two types of small erosional systems. The observed concentrations for all metals in the fraction 1–0.25 mm, except of Mn, conform to the natural geogenic concentrations reported previously in literature. The majority of the metals exhibit high natural variability in concentrations in the sand fraction. Higher metal concentrations are found either in the topsoil horizons or in parent material and underlying stratum. Studying lateral aspects of metal distribution in the sand fraction of humus horizons revealed a decrease in Mn, Zn, Pb, Co, Ti and an increase in Fe, Cr and Ni levels of the lower sections of the slopes. The similarity of metal concentrations in the sand fraction in these positions across two catenas implies the importance of the geochemical convergence processes operating in downslope direction. The small erosional landforms, a gully and a dry U-shaped valley, show similar patterns in lateral distribution of Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zr, Zn, but they differ in terms of Pb, Co and Mn behavior across their elementary units: adjacent areas, slopes and bottom. The results imply that the features of vertical (within the soil profiles) and lateral (along catenas and small erosional systems) distributions of metals are significantly controlled by the provenance of the sand fraction, although at the same time some variations in metal contents seem are attributed to chemical transformations of the sand fraction due to pedogenic processes and during downslope translocation of soil material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data are presented on the distribution of Chernobyl-derived s in different landscapes of the Bryansk region. The role of different landscape-biogeochemical factors in the transformation of the s contamination field is examined. The distribution of s in the typical soil catenary junction of predpolessie, predopolje, and opolje landscapes is analyzed. The role of biogeochemical barriers in the s accumulation is considered. It is revealed that the slope exposure affects the intensity of geochemical migration. In particular, the intensity of lateral migration of s on the slopes of the southern and southwestern exposure is much higher than that on the slopes of the northern and northeastern exposure. The different types of geochemical lateral structure of landscape are analyzed on the basis of the catenary s distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meteoric 10 Be is commonly used as a geochemical tracer of soil erosion and regolith residence time over long time scales (> 10 3 yr). The acidic conditions of tropical soils are less favorable for meteoric 10 Be retention, and make a translation of meteoric 10 Be inventories into surface erosion rates complex. In this empirical study, we evaluate the potential loss of meteoric 10 Be in the weathering zone. Along a toposequence in southern Brazil, three regolith profiles were sampled to explore the mobility of Be in the soil system. The sequential chemical extractions of four reactive fractions indicate that the amorphous oxy-hydroxide and crystalline oxide fractions are the main carriers of meteoric 10 Be. Our data from the Brazilian toposequence reveal significantly higher inventories of meteoric 10 Be in the slope concavities compared to the upslope positions. This demonstrates that chemical leaching and deep percolation of meteoric 10 Be within the soil profile leads to vertical and lateral redistribution of meteoric 10 Be across the hillslope. Our data show that more than 50% of the delivered meteoric 10 Be is leached from the upslope regolith profiles. After correcting the inventories for incomplete retention of meteoric 10 Be, surface erosion rates are derived for the slope convexities. Upslope erosion rates are below 5 mm/kyr and agree with the in-situ 10 Be-derived denudation rates. Our results suggest that soil and sediment fluxes can accurately be derived from meteoric 10 Be inventories in well-developed soils, when the meteoric 10 Be mobility is constrained using differential mass balances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As countries of Eastern Europe look to advance their agricultural markets through large scale agronomic production, high resolution mapping of soil resources will be essential. Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) are non-invasive, proximal sensing techniques which provide quantitative data germane to physicochemical soil properties in seconds. While these techniques have been widely used to characterize individual soil samples, sample sets, or variability across individual fields, less work has been done at the catena scale (even less so in Eastern Europe), where variability due to topographic differences substantively affects a wide number of soil properties. The present study was conducted on three catenas of the Transylvanian Plain, Romania, each with 100 sampling points randomly established in ArcGIS. Laboratory analysis (particle size analysis, total carbon, total nitrogen, soil organic matter) was conducted at Texas Tech University, USA. Following Savitzky–Golay first derivative transformation, DRS spectra were used to predict soil physicochemical parameters of interest via support vector regression. The whole dataset was randomly divided into a 70% training (n = 210) and 30% test set (n = 90). Across all catenas, a combined PXRF + DRS approach showed better parameter prediction relative to either sensor independently as evidenced by higher R 2 , lower RMSE, higher RPD, and higher RPIQ values. For each parameter, the 100 points per catena were used as input data to develop a PXRF + DRS predictive model, and the output data from each model was kriged using ArcGIS 10.3.1. Spatial analysis strongly reflected management and landscape dynamics across the catenas. Combined proximal sensor approaches show considerable advantages over traditional laboratory approaches, allowing for high sample throughput, greater analytical density, and less expensive data, with minimal fall off in data quality. The combined PXRF + DRS approach showed excellent potential for providing the data needed to support optimized soil resource mapping and land management decisions in Eastern Europe or worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of the total Ni, Cu, Co, Cd, Pb, and Zn contents was studied in the soil profiles of six catenas in the zone subjected to emissions of the copper-nickel industrial complex, which is the largest source of SO and heavy metals in northern Europe. The results show that, at present, the concentrations of Ni and Cu in the upper organic soil horizons in the impact zone reach extreme levels of 9000 and 6000 mg/kg, respectively. Under conditions of the long-term intense multi-element industrial emissions, the modern levels of the accumulation of polluting substances in soils greatly depend on the indirect factors, such as the degree of the technogenic degradation of soils with the loss of a significant part of soil organic matter, the reaching of threshold saturation of the topsoil with polluting metals, and competitive relationships between chemical elements. The state of the ecosystems in the impact zone varied greatly and did not always agree with the contents of the main metals-pollutants in the soils. The moisture conditions determined by the landscape position affected significantly the resistance of the ecosystems to emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding environment-vegetation relationships provides important ecological insights, and here we examined such relationships for the Hamersley Ranges of North West Australia. We were particularly interested to see if such relationships were similar to those of other mountainous deserts. We used direct gradient analyses of floristic and environmental variables (constrained ordination), supplemented by identification of environmental differences between plant communities, assessment of environment-vegetation associations and partitioning of the floristic variance between environmental, climatic and spatial variables. Most communities could be differentiated from others according to environmental variables, with slope, surface stone cover, topsoil phosphorus and pH particularly good at differentiating between plant communities. There was strong association between communities and classes of landform and/or geological substrate. Gradient analysis demonstrated the primary floristic gradient was linked to a complex of several topographic, edaphic and geomorphic variables. This was interpreted as floristic change along broad topo-sequences from mountain/ridge tops to valley floors over which gradients in key environmental variables occur. Gradient analyses of other mountainous deserts have reported similar findings. A key distinction in the complex gradient identified for the Hamersley Ranges is the inclusion of topsoil phosphorus (rather than nitrogen) and time since last fire. The second most important floristic gradient was linked to soil pH and conductivity, which reflects floristic variation due to differences in geological substrate throughout the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Soil Science Annual is the property of Polish Society of Soil Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mountain landscapes are highly heterogeneous due to topography, notably positions along slope and slope shapes, which control ecosystem mechanisms. We hypothesized that tree dieback is controlled by topography, selecting productive and less diverse communities in lower slopes, and stress-resistant and more diverse communities on upper slopes. Understanding how this heterogeneity drives vegetation patterns should provide benchmarks for ecosystem management of mountain forest dominated by Quercus brantii. Woody communities were sampled along convex vs concave topography (i.e., ridge vs talweg), and with measurements of tree dieback severity, environmental variables (litter depth, soil quality, rock outcrop), stand structure (canopy cover, mistletoe infestation, tree diameter and height, diameter and height differentiations, oaks' number from sprout-clumps or seed-origin), and biodiversity. Slope position was the most significant driver that affected all variables, excepted evenness. Dieback severity was higher on slope shoulders and summits, and lower in lower slopes where trees were the most productive: taller, larger, more homogeneous, and mostly seed-origin. Catena shape affected the diversity and dieback severity, both higher in talwegs, but had no effect on environmental variables and little on stand structure. Outputs indicate that the higher diversity of woody plants is on upper slopes supporting stress-resistant community associated with more severe dieback and mistletoe infection probably because frugivore birds attracted by the shrubs' fruits. Semi-arid forest management must consider the shaped-slope ecosystem heterogeneity by preserving ridges that are more susceptible to tree dieback, and naturally support biodiversity. Restoration measures on lower fertile slopes could be carried out by oak planting or seedlings under the cover of shrubs to counter dieback effects and environmental stresses. In addition, forestry measures can be taken in lower positions for the conversion of coppice to high oak forest to potentially consider a moderate forestry. • Semi-arid forest management must consider the heterogeneity of ecosystem shaped by topography. • On lower slopes (thick soil and litters) trees originating from seeds are taller and larger. • Upper slopes show higher rock outcrops and thinner soils. • Oaks dieback more and are more parasitized by mistletoe on the upper slopes. • On upper slopes, trees originate from resprouts, and woody communities are more diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical cratonic geosystem encompasses non-orogenic continental domains of the tropical belt that developed and preserved Cenozoic lateritic regolith mantles (i.e., the products of intense rock weathering). These domains represent a significant part of the continental landsurface contributing to regulate global biogeochemical cycles. Here I address the surface evolution mechanisms of the tropical cratonic geosystem based on a comprehensive review and an original map of the landform-regolith associations (combinations of reliefs and regolith mantles of specific nature and age) of Northwestern Africa, an archetype of the tropical cratonic geosystem. The landform-regolith pattern is a composite record of long-term climate variability modulated by the composition of the bedrock. Relictual, pan-tropical associations attest to (i) very intense, greenhouse-driven weathering starting in the Late Cretaceous and culminating at the Early Eocene thermal maximum, (ii) intense Late Oligocene weathering driven by seasonally humid climate, (iii) dry erosional climate during the Early and Late Miocene, with a return to moderate weathering-prone, seasonally dry climate around the Miocene climatic optimum (18–11 Ma) and at the End-Miocene (7–6 Ma). Post Miocene functional landform-regolith associations are latitudinally zoned, reflecting installation of the modern climatic zonation in the tropics. Modern regional susceptibility to erosion has to be partitioned among the functional landform-regolith associations, which tend towards pedoclimatic equilibrium, and relict associations, which are mostly fossil. Moreover, results show that (i) past etchplains and pediplains ("paleo-surfaces") are unreliable topographic gauges of mantle-driven deformation, (ii) staircase patterns of successive etchplains or pediplains attributed to positive epeirogenic pulses are invalid and (iii) low-temperature thermochronology fails to document final rock exhumation paths in cratonic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of catena in landscape surveys is used to demonstrate the surroundings of landscape units, their vertical structure and inter-unit processes, as well as the mosaic nature of the landscape. Furthermore, it reflects the structural and functional heterogeneity of the surveyed area, at the same time indicating types of links between landscape units, depending on a variety of geological, habitat-related and biotic conditions, including land use and its transformation arising from anthropopressure.

The paper claims that a marriage of the Dependency Grammar (DG) understanding of word and sentence structure with the axioms of Construction Grammar is possible and desirable. The catena unit – the validity of which has been established in syntax – is extended to morphosyntax. In syntax, a word catena is defined as a word or a combination of words that is continuous with respect to dominance. This definition is extended to morphosyntax, where a morph catena is defined analogously as a morph or a combination of morphs that is continuous with respect to dominance. The validity and utility of the catena concept for construction grammars is demonstrated in a particular area, namely regarding the functional meanings expressed by periphrastic verb chains (e.g. modality, aspect, and voice). The morph combinations (= the constructs) that express these functional meanings form morph catenae.

Celestial symposium: Commentaries to the Book of Job 1:6 in the Byzantine and Slavic traditions Job 1:6 is one of several places in the Bible where God’s sons (celestial beings) are men­tioned: “One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” Numerous commentaries of the Church Fathers were included in the Greek catena to the Book of Job. Some of these were not written specially as commentaries to this passage but are extracts from works commenting the nature of the angels, their place in God’s providence and their role in human life. The author then goes on to discuss the two Slavic translations that were made of the catena. The first one comprises the majority of the texts included in the Greek catena, while the second one contains only two small passages from commentaries of Saint John Chrysostom and Olympiodoros. The article provides a comparison between Slavic texts, which were translated from Greek in the Balkans at the same time: in the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century. Several miniatures from medieval Greek manuscripts, which illustrate the Celestial symposium, are represented at the end of the article. Niebiańskie sympozjum. Komentarze do Księgi Hioba (1, 6) w bizantyńskiej i słowiańskiej tradycji Werset 1,6 Księgi Hioba jest jednym z wielu miejsc w Biblii, w którym wspomina się synów Bożych: „Zdarzyło się pewnego dnia, gdy synowie Boży udawali się, by stanąć przed Panem, że i szatan też poszedł z nimi”. Ogromna liczba komentarzy Ojców Kościoła do Księgi Hioba została zawarta w greckiej katenie. Niektóre z nich nie zostały napisane jako bezpo­średni komentarz do tego wersetu, lecz są wypisami z prac autorów, komentującymi naturę aniołów, ich miejsce w Bożej opatrzności, a także rolę w życiu ludzkim. Ponadto istniały dwa słowiańskie przekłady kateny. Pierwszy zawierał większość tekstów pochodzących z greckiej kateny, a drugi składał się zaledwie z dwóch passusów, będących wyimkami z komentarzy św. Jana Chryzostoma i Olimpiododrosa. W artykule porównano teksty słowiańskie, które zostały przetłumaczone z języka greckiego na Bałkanach w tym samym czasie: pod koniec wieku XIV lub na początku XV. W artykule przedstawiono również kilka miniatur pochodzących ze średniowiecznych greckich rękopisów, przedstawiających niebiańskie sympozjum.

An unknown Slavic text of a catena to the Psalter, in two manuscripts from the Hilandar monastery This article presents a hitherto unknown catena to the Psalter. It is divided in two parts, placed in two manuscripts: in Manuscript No. 116 (psalms 1 through 76), and in Manuscript No. 117 (the remaining psalms). The catena contains commentaries of more than 15 Byzan­tine authors. The article then goes on to compare the Psalter text accompanying the catena with texts of other editions. It becomes clear that the text of the Hilandar manuscripts is very close to the texts of the Mount Athos edition and of Cyprian’s edition, although it has its own characteristics. The newly found catena is the most voluminous catena translated into a Slavic language. The discovery of the text will lead to new researches into the history of the Slavic Psalter and the Slavic translations of the Bible. Nieznany słowiański tekst kateny do Psałterza w dwóch rękopisach z klasztoru Chilandar Artykuł prezentuje nową i nieznaną dotąd katenę do Psałterza. Podzielona na dwie części znajduje się w dwóch rękopisach: N:116 (do Psalmu 76) i N:117 (od Psalmu 77 do końca). Katena zawiera komentarze pochodzące od ponad piętnastu bizantyńskich autorów. Tekst Psałterza, będący częścią kateny, został porównany z tekstami innych komentatorów. Dzięki temu widać wyraźnie, że tekst z manuskryptów chilandarskich jest bliski tekstom komentowanym na Górze Atos, a także na Cyprze, mimo że posiada swoją własną specyfikę. Nowoodkryta katena jest najbardziej obszernym dokumentem tego typu przełożonym na język słowiański. Jej odkrycie umożliwi nowe badania nad historią słowiańskiego Psałterza i słowiańskich przekładów Biblii.

In tropical forests, the environmental heterogeneity can provide niche partitioning at local scales and determine the diversity and plant species distribution. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the variations of tree species structure and distribution in response to relief and soil profile features in a portion of the largest remnant of Brazilian Atlantic rain forest. All trees ³ 5 cm diameter at breast height were recorded in two 0.99 ha plots. Topographic survey and a soil characterization were accomplished in both plots. Topsoil samples (0-20 cm) were taken from 88 quadrats and analyzed for chemical and particle size properties. Differences for both diversity and tree density were identified among three kinds of soils. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that the specific abundance varied among the three kinds of soils mapped: a shallow Udept - Orthent / Aquent gradient, probably due to differences in soil drainage. Nutrient content was less likely to affect tree species composition and distribution than relief, pH, Al3+, and soil texture. Some species were randomly distributed and did not show restriction to relief and soil properties. However, preferences in niche occupation detected in this study, derived from the catenary environments found, rise up as an important explanation for the high tree species diversity in tropical forests.

Floristic characteristics of the Andover Game Reserve (AGR) were surveyed using an area-based survey technique and classified according to the data recorded from 88 relevés, using the PHYTOTAB-PC software package. Three plant communities, of which two each contain two variants, were described and mapped. The plant communities and their causative environmental factors were validated through detrended- and canonical correspondence multivariate analyses. The plant communities of the AGR were found to typify the floristics associated with the catenal sequences located in undulating areas on granite. Broad-leaved savanna is located at the crest and upper mid-slopes while fine-leaved savanna occurs along the footslopes of the AGR. Seeplines, a characteristic occurrence along catenas, are found at the transitional zone between the upper broad- and lower fine-leaved savanna plant communities. This study forms the basis for the compilation of a revised ecological management plan for the Andover Game Reserve.

Up till now, the effect of topography on soils has usually been studied in mountainous areas, and any reference to relatively small-scale lowland landforms such as inland dunes has not been thus far recognized in any great detail. We investigated the effect of land relief on morphology and the properties of soils in a comparative study covering two ecosystem types (a production forest and a naturally revegetated deforested area) at the Toruń artillery training ground, which is situated in Northern Poland. The objectives of this study were to: 1) compare the morphology and properties of soils with regard to topography on inland dunes at the Toruń military area and to 2) show the modifying impact of deforestation on the effect of land relief on dune soils. In each investigated ecosystem variant, the pedological studies were conducted in two representative catenas; each of them was formed by soils situated in three topographical positions (north-facing slope, south-facing slope, and intra-dune depression). To indicate how the investigated pedons are ordered by soil properties, we applied the principal component analysis (PCA) in the research. Our study showed that regardless of ecosystem type, pedons taken from depressions clearly differed from soils located on both slope aspects, as the soils taken from lower areas form “hot spots” of distinctly higher moisture and fertility in landscapes which are normally dry and poor in nutrients, which is typical of inland dunes. Soils from north-facing slopes, in comparison to soils from south-facing slopes, were characterized by lower temperatures and pH values, higher moisture and stocks of nutrients in O horizons, as well as being more podzolized. However, in the mineral soil layer of 0–100 cm stocks of nutrients were higher in soils from south-facing slopes, which was explained by their lower leaching intensity by acid solutions. The magnitude of the impact of deforestation on the properties of dune soils was found to be strictly related to position in relief. In general, deforestation caused an increase of the differences between soils of the three topographical positions studied; however, this primarily resulted from the strongest influence of forest removal stated for south-facing slopes, while soils located both on north-facing slopes and in depressions were relatively unchanged by deforestation. The topographically-induced differentiation of soils on inland dunes shown in this study can be applied by practices (e.g. foresters, restoration ecologists) in activities to increase the biodiversity of inland dune ecosystems as well as in land restoration (e.g. in dune fixation by vegetation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beech stands in Hyrcanian forests cover a hilly landscape with many topographical ridge–valley gradients or catenas. This study aims at providing important insights regarding the role of landscape shape and position on the drivers of soil microbial biomass and activity in these forest ecosystems. Variations in the depth profiles (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) of soil organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), soil water content (SWC), soil microbial respiration (SR), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and metabolic coefficient (qCO 2 ) were evaluated at different slope positions (the summit, shoulder, back slope, foot slope and toe slope) along both concave (C-shaped) and convex-shaped (V-shaped) catena s. The results of our study evidenced that catena shape and slope position significantly influenced most of the parameters evaluated, confirming the importance of topography in creating heterogeneity in soil properties. In general, the significantly greater soil microbial biomass and activities observed in C-shaped with respect to V-shaped catenas, and in lower with respect to upper slope positions was related to higher SWC, OC and TN contents. We concluded that spatial variability in water and substrate availabilities are important components in determining microbial activities and the cycling of limiting nutrients for plant growth in different microsite ecosystems present in catenas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the variation in woody plant species composition, regeneration and biodiversity in relation to topographic heterogeneity, specifically catena shape (V and Λ) and slope position (summit, shoulder, back slope, foot slope and toe slope). All research took place at the TMU Experimental Forest Station, located in northern Iran. Two sets of replicated quadrats were established along transects that encompassed the different catena shapes and positions. We recorded the density, height, and canopy cover of all trees ≥12 cm diameter at breast height within 30 quadrats (400m2), as well as the density of all tree regenerations within 120 quadrats (4m2). In addition, three measurements of biodiversity were calculated for both mature trees and regenerations. Mature tree species composition varied greatly with catena shape and slope position, as did that of regenerating trees. Despite differences in species composition, the various measurements of biodiversity were consistent across the landscape for mature trees, whereas significant variation in evenness was detected for regenerating trees. We concluded that the broad matrix of environmental conditions occurring within this rugged mountainous area generates a variety of microhabitats, which in turn contributes to both the variation in species composition and the consistent biodiversity of these forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of elevation and related factors (climate, vegetation) on the physical and chemical soil properties can help to predict changes in response to future climate or afforestation forcings. This work aims to contribute to the knowledge of soil evolution and the classification of forest soils in relation to elevation in the montane stage, with special attention to podzolization and humus forms. The northern flank of the Moncayo Massif (Iberian Range, SW Europe) provides a unique opportunity to study a forest soils catena within a consistent quartzitic parent material over a relatively steep elevation gradient. With increasing elevation, pH, base saturation, exchangeable potassium, and fine silt-sized particles decrease significantly, while organic matter, the C/N ratio, soil aggregate stability, water repellency and coarse sand-sized particles increase significantly. The soil profiles shared a set of properties in all horizons: loamy-skeletal particle-size, extreme acidity (pH-HO<5.6) and low base saturation (<50%). The most prevalent soil forming processes in the catena include topsoil organic matter accumulation and even podzolization, which increases with elevation. From the upper to lower landscape positions of wooded montane stage of the Moncayo Massif, mull-moder-mor humus and an Umbrisol-Cambisol-Podzol soil unit sequences were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]