Maakerros

Maakerros is a Finnish term that refers to a layer of soil or earth within the ground. In geology, pedology and related fields, it is used to describe a discrete stratum within a soil profile. The thickness and depth of a maakerros vary depending on location, formation history and soil type.

Soil profiles are typically described in horizons. A maakerros can correspond to any horizon type (for example organic-rich horizons such as O, mineral topsoil A, or illuvial horizons such as B) or other defined layers within the profile. The defining properties of a maakerros include texture, mineral composition, organic matter content, moisture, pH and structure, all of which influence its fertility, drainage and stability.

Formation: Maakerros forms through long-term soil-forming processes (pedogenesis) including weathering of parent material, transportation and deposition of materials, eluviation and illuviation of minerals, and accumulation of organic matter driven by biotic activity. It may become layered or mixed due to bioturbation, wetting-drying cycles, tillage, erosion or drainage changes.

Use and significance: Understanding the maakerros is essential for agriculture, forestry, civil engineering and environmental management. It informs decisions on crop suitability, irrigation and fertilization, construction foundations, drainage design, erosion control and contaminant pathways. In Finnish soil science, maakerros is a basic unit of describing soil profiles and land capability.

Etymology: The term combines maa (soil, earth) and kerros (layer).