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Characterization and Classification of Some Belize Soils
Author(s) -
Lietzke D. A.,
Whiteside E. P.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1981.03615995004500020030x
Subject(s) - loam , soil water , coastal plain , geology , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , terrace (agriculture) , colluvium , soil science , geography , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology
Field studies on the Coastal Plain adjoining the Caribbean near Big Creek, Belize (British Honduras) in the spring of 1968 and 1969 were followed hy laboratory analyses of six representative profiles that comprised a majority of the study area. These rather extensive but infertile soils were being developed for agricultural production by private interests. The two major upland soils in the survey area are: nearly level, clayey, mixed, isohyperthermic, Oxumbric Plinthic Albaquults 3 and very gently sloping, fine, mixed, isohyperthermic, Oxaquic Plinthic Tropudalfs 3 Associated better drained upland soils of lesser extent were: clayey, mixed, isohyperthermic, Plinthic Paleudults as well as fine‐loamy, siliceous and coarse‐loamy, siliceous, isohyperthermic families of Plinthic and Plinthaquic Paleudults and their arenic counterparts. Two major fluvial terrace level soils are fine, mixed, isohyperthermic Oxaquic Humitropepts 3 on the higher area and fine, mixed, isohyperthermic Oxic Fluvaquentic Humitropepts 3 near river levels. A lower Coastal Plain terrace 0 to 2 m above sea level contained nearly level, fine‐loamy mixed, isohyperthermic Mollic Tropaqualfs 3 and Aeric Tropaqualfs. Very low nutrient levels indicate that large quantities of lime and fertilizer will be needed to make these soils productive.