Mullavööndeid

Mullavööndeid, literally “soil belts” in Estonian, refers to linear zones within a landscape, field, or soil profile where the soil properties change gradually or stepwise to form distinct belts. These belts may run along slopes, terraces, floodplains, or across fields and are characterized by relatively homogeneous soil properties within each belt but differ between belts.

Formation and processes include variations in drainage, moisture regime, parent material, and topography, as well as past deposition or erosion. In furrowed or terraced landscapes, belts can reflect changes in slope position and water flow. Glacial history, peat formation, and long-term land use also contribute to the development and accentuation of different belts over time.

Common properties that define a mullavöönd include soil texture, structure, depth to restrictive layers, organic matter content, nutrient status, and pH. Moisture regimes can vary between belts, leading to differences in drainage class from well-drained to poorly drained within relatively short distances, which in turn affects vegetation, crop choice, and management needs.

Identification and assessment are typically done through field sampling along transects, targeted soil mapping, and regional geospatial analysis, complemented by existing soil surveys and agricultural records. Understanding the belt pattern supports more precise land management, including targeted drainage or irrigation, liming, nutrient management, and erosion control, by matching practices to the specific needs of each belt.

See also: soil belt, pedology, soil mapping, landscape ecology.