Landjord

Landjord is a term used in soil science to refer to soils that develop on continental landmasses, as opposed to marine or lacustrine sediments. In Nordic contexts the word combines land and soil to emphasize terrestrial pedogenesis. The term is regionally used and may not be a formal taxonomic category in international references.

Formation and horizons: Landjord forms through weathering of parent material, organic matter input, climate, organisms, and time. Typical processes include dissolution, leaching, illuviation, and humus accumulation, leading to the development of characteristic soil horizons such as an surface mineral horizon (A), an eluviated horizon (E) or a subsoil horizon (B), and underlying C horizons. The O horizon of litter and organic matter may be present in forested or grassland soils. Soil texture, structure, color, and chemistry are influenced by the parent material and climate.

Properties and classification: Landjord encompasses a wide range of textures from sandy to clayey and can vary from acidic to alkaline. Organic matter content and soil structure affect fertility and water holding capacity. In many classification schemes, terrestrial soils belong to several orders such as Alfisols, Mollisols, Cambisols, or Podzols, depending on climate and materials; pedotransfer properties are used to predict behavior.

Ecological and practical role: Landjord supports plant growth, acts as a carbon reservoir, and influences hydrology and nutrient cycling. It is subject to erosion, compaction, contamination, and salinization in disturbed landscapes. Land management practices, including crop rotation, organic matter addition, and conservation tillage, aim to maintain soil health and productivity.

See also: Soil, Pedology, Soil horizon, Pedogenesis.