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PEDOLOGY

Classification of Anthropogenic Soils with Andic Properties

Dpto. Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Biología, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206- La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

^* Corresponding author (martesa{at}ull.es).

On the mountainous islands of the Canary Islands (Spain), the soils on the cool and humid north face are better suited to farming than those on the hot and arid south side. A common practice is to transport soils from one side of the island to the other—as well as from midaltitude zones in the north to others lower down—to construct artificial soils known locally as sorribas, which are used to grow, under irrigation, export crops such as banana (Musa acuminata Colla) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The aim of this study was to evaluate the andic properties of the sorriba soils derived from Andisols or from other soil types (Inceptisols or Alfisols) that have some andic properties. The properties of the sorriba soils were compared with those of the original soils where this was possible and a classification is put forward in accordance with Soil Taxonomy. The results obtained show that, several years after transportation (3 to >50), the soils have important modifications, such as loss of horizonation and increased salinity and sodicity, yet they retain some of the andic characteristics of the original soils (low bulk density and high oxalate-extractable Al + oxalate-extractable Fe values). We discuss whether soils that have undergone extensive transformation but have andic soil properties should be considered Andisols or Entisols. Moreover, we suggest the inclusion of an andic subgroup in Torriarents and Torriorthents for anthropogenic soils presenting near-andic properties.