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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #126612
Title: SOILS ON CARBONATE KARST

Author
item Boyer, Douglas

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/9/2002
Publication Date: 10/30/2003
Citation: BOYER, D.G. SOILS ON CARBONATE KARST (BOOK CHAPTER). ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CAVES AND KARST SCIENCE, JOHN GUNN, EDITOR. PP. 656-658. 2003.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Carbonate bedrock occurs on about 20 percent of the world's land surface. Much of that carbonate rock has undergone erosion by dissolution creating karst landscapes. Residual soils on karst landscapes tend to be thin and well drained. Coupled with the free drainage into the bedrock the soils also tend to be droughty. This chapter starts with a discussion on authigenic and allogenic soil formation on karst landscapes. Agricultural systems developed to take advantage of the characteristics of karst soils are addressed. The chapter ends with further discussion about technical and environmental challenges to construction of highways, buildings, and landfills on karst landscapes.