Bodengefügearten

Bodengefügearten refers to the classification of soil structure, describing how soil particles are arranged and aggregated. This arrangement significantly impacts soil properties such as water infiltration, aeration, root penetration, and susceptibility to erosion. Soil structure is primarily determined by the forces that bind soil particles together, including organic matter, clay minerals, and cementation by iron oxides or calcium carbonate.

There are several primary bodengefügearten. Granular structure, common in the A horizon, consists of small, rounded aggregates resembling grains of sand. This structure is ideal for plant growth due to good aeration and drainage. Crumb structure is similar to granular but with larger, more porous aggregates, also found in topsoil. Blocky structure, prevalent in subsoils, features larger, angular or subangular aggregates with well-defined faces. This can range from fine blocky to coarse blocky and affects water movement. Prismatic and columnar structures are characterized by vertically oriented aggregates, often found in subsoils with high clay content and in arid or semi-arid regions, respectively. These structures can impede water infiltration and root growth. Platy structure involves horizontally oriented, thin, plate-like aggregates, typically found in compacted soils or B horizons, hindering vertical movement of water and air. Structureless soils, such as massive or single-grain structures, lack distinct aggregates and are often associated with compaction or loose sandy materials. Understanding these bodengefügearten is crucial for agricultural management, land use planning, and environmental assessments.