HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Morrison, R. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Morrison, R. J. Agricola Articles by Morrison, R. J.

Some Andisols from Savai'i, Western Samoa

Inst. of Natural Resources, Univ. of the South Pacific, P.O. Box 1168, Suva, Fiji

* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Five pedons in the lowlands and foothills of Savai'i were studied in detail to determine whether or not they were Andisols. All five met the requirements proposed by the International Committee for the Classification of Andisols (ICOMAND) for the designation of Andisols, as recently accepted into the soil taxonomy. Four of the pedons were Hapludands at the great group level, with subgroup differences due to base status, depth to lithic contact, and water-retention properties being observed. The fifth pedon was a Thaptic Fulvudand with imogolite present. The results obtained indicate that Andisols are likely to dominate the landscape of Savai'i. This is rather unexpected, as Savai'i is the oldest island of the Samoa chain. Recent volcanism associated with the approach of Savai'i to the edge of the Tonga trench has "rejuvenated" much of the island, leading to the formation of young soils. Since certain soils on Savai'i and the adjacent island of Upolu are mapped as the same series, reexamination of the soils on both islands would appear necessary to determine whether or not the soils are sufficiently different to warrant the establishment of new series.

Received for publication January 5, 1990.