Clay soils on limestone in South Limburg,The Netherlands, 1. Setting and general characteristics

Detailed soil mapping in the Ransdalerveld area pointed to the occurrence of clay soils of different ages, characteristics and genesis. Three representative soil profiles were therefore selected and studied in detail.In this first of three articles, some observations and conclusions on the distribution, age and characteristics of these soils are presented. The “old” soils, developed on the plateaus in predominantly limestone-weathering residues, are classified as Lithic Hapludalfs, whereas the “young” soils on the valley slopes are classified as Rendollic Eutrochrepts if they lack a loess cover and as Typic Hapludalfs if they have a loess cover. Weathering and soil formation are discussed in the second and third parts.