Soils of slopes and bottomland positions of the small stream valley in the central forest reserve: Chemical properties and clay mineralogy

Pale-podzolic soils occupying slope positions in a small stream valley are more acidic and contain less pedogenic chlorites in the clay fraction than those soils occupying uplands. These characteristics are thought to be caused by more intensive leaching of matter from eluvial horizons due to intensive lateral interflow of soil water. Soddy-gleyic soils of the stream bottomland are rich in organic matter and have a slightly acidic reaction in the A1 horizon and an alkaline reaction in the calcareous subsoil. Both factors lead to accumulation of Fe_ox and Al_ox supplied to bottomland positions from uplands and slopes and those formed in situ.